© Antoniodiaz | Dreamstime.com
Test-taking season for many area students is right around the corner. A test is simply defined as an exercise to measure the skills, knowledge, intelligence, capacities, or aptitudes of an individual or group, according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary. Mastering the skill of taking a test is more complicated.
For the past few months I have introduced you and your child to four study skills or building blocks for learning: individual learning strengths, goal setting, time management, and listening skills. In this final article in the Study Guide series, I will give you a list of test-taking tips to add to your child’s study skills tool box. By remembering and using the skills, your child can become a strong student and a skilled test taker!
Your child’s knowledge is tested or evaluated daily through classwork, class discussions, projects, and homework. However, the following tips are directed toward the more formal testing, such as a semester exam to help determine a final grade or a standardized test to demonstrate annual yearly progress.
Daily preparation for a test:
Use learning strengths when studying.
Do classwork and ask questions when you don’t understand.
Stick to a schedule of doing, completing, and handing in homework. Ask for help if you don’t understand something.
Listen in class and participate in class discussions.
Write down information as the teacher tells you to or take notes on your own. Review the information/notes every night.
Review a little each night before a test.
Get a good night’s sleep and have breakfast before school.
Taking the test:
Have an “I can do this!” attitude. You’ve studied. You’re ready.
Read and listen to all directions carefully. Pay attention to specific keywords such as: bubble, circle, underline, answer in complete sentences, etc.
Glance over the test to get a feel for the type and length of the test.
Budget your time so that you can try to finish.
Don’t waste time. Work carefully and methodically.
Don’t panic. If you don’t know the answer to a question right away, put a little plus sign beside it and come back to it after you have answered all of the questions that you do know.
If it is allowed, ask the teacher to rephrase a question for you so that you understand what the question is asking.
If you start to start to feel tense, stop for a few seconds, take a deep breath, relax, and then continue.
Proofread your work to make sure that you have answered all of the questions, your answers are clearly and correctly marked (circled, underlined, etc.), and you have made no careless mistakes. Erase stray marks.
Tips for Different Types of Tests
Multiple Choice
Guess your answer before reading your choices. Then read your choices.
If you aren’t sure which answer is correct, eliminate the ones you know are wrong.
Watch for noun-verb agreement to give you a hint at the correct answer.
Read all of your choices carefully. The correct answer may be “all of the above” or “none of the above.”
True/False
There are usually more true answers than false answers. If you have to guess, mark “True.”
Read the questions carefully. The answer is usually true if the statement contains words such as generally, usually, most, often, and seldom.
The statement is probably false if there are cue words such as always, never, everybody, none
Matching
Read all parts of both columns carefully before you begin.
Lightly cross out matches as you go so you don’t reread and waste time.
Skip a word on the left column if you do not know the match and come back to it when you have completed the rest of the matches.
Essay
Jot down facts you want to include such as names, places, dates, main ideas, etc. on a separate piece of paper or in the column of the test before you begin so that you don’t forget them.
Make a quick outline.
Fewer words are better than too many. Watch your time, stick to your outline and include the facts.
Discussion
Make an outline. Have an introduction, body, and conclusion. Jot down details you want to include.
Know what the topic is asking. Watch for keywords like compare, contrast, discuss, list, and explain.
Fill in the Blank
If the choices are listed, cross out each one as you use it.
Watch for noun-verb agreement.
Read the completed sentence. Does it make sense?
Grace Copeland is a retired Memphis teacher who works with students helping them to become lifelong learners using the Victus Study Skills System written by Susan Ison. Please visit the website at studyskillssystem.org for more information.