California Cadet Corps Curriculum on Study Skills “Taking Tests”
Test Taking Agenda B1. Test Preparation Tips B2. Strategies for Improving Test Performance B3. Short Answer Tests B4. Taking Essay Tests B5. Multiple Choice Test Taking Tips B6. True/False Tests B7. Quantitative & Math Test Preparation Strategies B8. Open Book Tests B9. Oral Test Taking, Boards, and Interviews
TEST PREPARATION & TEST TAKING TIPS B1. Identify test preparation and test taking tips
Test Preparation Tips • Prepare early → don’t procrastinate • Have a study routine → stick to it • Take good notes – Compare notes • Instructor clues – Test content – Question types • Healthy choices – Get sleep – Eat a good breakfast – No junk food or sugar
Test Preparation Tips • Listen for instructor tips/instruction/insight • Review material with study group • Prepare outline – Main topics and concepts – Study from it • Use/study visual aids & charts
Test Taking Tips • Show up early • Test instructions – Listen! – Read! • Do a ‘memory dump’ at test start
Test Taking Tips • Plan your time – Answer easy questions first – Circle back to others • Plan early finish – Go back & review – Ensure no skipped questions • First instinct is usually correct
Check on Learning 1. T/F: A “memory dump” refers to writing down key ideas/formulas at the beginning of a test. 2. T/F: You should answer a question before moving on to the next one. 3. T/F: Comparing notes with others in class is usually not a good thing to do.
STRATEGIES FOR IMPROVING TEST PERFORMANCE B2. Identify strategies for improving test performance
Improve Test Performance Take good notes Prepare Organize Review Ask Questions
Improve Test Performance Use Comprehension Strategy Actively Listen Manage Time Review & Plan A Week Ahead Practice With Test Taking Method Use Test Prep Tips
Check on Learning 1. What should you do if you don’t understand what was taught? 2. How far in advance should you start reviewing for a test? 3. What is one good way to take notes? 4. What is a good way to manage your time?
SHORT ANSWER ESSAY TESTS B3. Describe how to effectively take Short Answer Tests
Short Answer Essays • Show you understand a concept – Can you explain it? • Concentrate study time on understanding – Practice writing out answers • Explain major points in 1 or 2 sentences – Focus on sub-topics/concepts – Memorize facts & info
Short Answer Essays Test Prep • Write practice questions – Have someone review your answers • Use flashcards • Make educated guess, if necessary
Check on Learning Briefly explain (short answer essay) how to study for a short answer essay test?
TAKING ESSAY TESTS B4. Describe how to effectively take Essay Tests
General Format • Introduction – Identify purpose – State thesis (theory, idea, notion, hypothesis) • Body – State main points – Explain main points – Include examples • Conclusion – Restate purpose – Summarize supporting points
General Format
Essay Exam Tips • Outline topic before writing answer • Always follow format: Intro – Body – Conclusion • Cover your points • Get out!
Check on Learning 1. T/F: The Introduction part of an essay exam is where you summarize your argument. 2. In what part of the essay exam do you place your main points? 3. What are the three main parts of an essay exam?
MULTIPLE CHOICE TEST TAKING TIPS B5. Describe how to effectively take Multiple Choice Tests
Multiple Choice • Read entire question before looking at answers • Read every answer before making a choice • Eliminate answers you’re sure are incorrect • Once incorrect ones eliminated, focus on remaining answers • Select the best answer
Multiple Choice • First answer questions you know, then go back to other questions • If possible, make an educated guess • Don’t leave unanswered questions
Multiple Choice • Pay attention to these words: – Not → changes sentence meaning – Sometimes → makes occurrence possible – Always → an absolute – Never → another absolute – All of the Above → often right, but be sure! – None of the Above → often right, but be sure!
Multiple Choice • Usually best to stick with first choice, but not always • If two answers correct, “All of the Above” is probably right choice • If choice between positive & negative options, likely to be the positive • If guessing, pick answer that contains the most info
Check on Learning 1. T/F: If you already know the answer in a Multiple Choice test, you don’t need to spend time reading the other answers. 2. T/F: If you don’t know the answer on the test, don’t guess at the answer. 3. If there’s a choice between positive & negative options, which one is it likely to be?
TRUE/FALSE TESTS B6. Describe how to effectively take True/False Tests
True/False • Consider statement true → D etermine if any part false – One false aspect? → E ntire statement false
True/False • If T/F sentence contains a negative: – drop negative word – read remainder • Is sentence true or false w/out the negative? • If true, then correct answer would be False. • Watch out for double negatives – Example: “It is unlikely the battalion will not win the drill competition” is same as “It is likely the battalion will win the drill competition.”
True/False Carefully consider how following words affect the given • statement: – All – Always – Few – Never – Many – Sometimes – Entirely – Frequently – Completely – Seldom – Best – Often – Worst – Generally – None – Ordinarily
True/False • Long sentences (more likely to be false) : – Review each phrase – Ensure it says what you think it says – If one phrase is false, the answer is False • If completely unsure of an answer → more likely True than False
True/False • Statements that include a reason (use of ‘because’, ‘reason’, ‘since’, etc.) → more likely to be false • Plan your time – Go through whole test – Answer questions you know – Go back & tackle ones not sure about
Check on Learning 1. ‘Always’ & ‘Never’ frequently reflect a statement/answer. 2. If a T/F statement has a has a negative word, the negative & re- read. If the statement now reads as true, then the correct answer would be . 3. If you’re completely unsure of an answer, it’s more likely than .
MATH PREPARATION AND TEST TAKING STRATEGIES B7. Describe how to effectively prepare for and take Math Tests
Math Tests • Practice, practice, practice • Understand concept/theory • Review problems in book, notes, & homework • Ask for help if needed • Focus on understanding principles & step- by-step procedures • Practice explaining processes
Math Tests • Keep a list of all formulas & theories – Memorize them • Study in groups – Work through problems together • Immediately write down formulas (from memory) on test paper/worksheet
Math Tests • Read test & question instructions carefully – Pay attention to detail! • Show work, even if unsure if it’s correct answer – Sometimes partial credit given even if not correct answer
Check on Learning 1. What is the first thing it’s good to do when given a test paper/worksheet? 2. What is something you should practice for tests that will require you to provide a logical explanation of how you arrived at your answer? 3. T/F: Group study is one recommendation for taking math tests.
OPEN BOOK TESTS B8. Describe how to effectively take Open Book Tests
Open Book Tests • Time limit (normally) – Impossible to look up every answer – Require prep & knowledge of info location • May be able to tab text – Answer mostly from memory – Rely on understanding material • Organize notes – Include key formulas or precepts
Open Book Tests • Answer easy questions first • Answer remaining questions – Rely on your memory – Look at resource material • Don’t plagiarize
ORAL TEST TAKING, BOARDS, & INTERVIEWS B9. Describe how to effectively take Oral Tests, Boards, and Interviews
Oral Test Taking, Boards, & Interviews • Lifetime Skills – Performance Task Assessments (PTA) – Promotion Boards – Job or other interviews – Oral presentations – Public speaking
Oral Test Taking, Boards, & Interviews • Formal or Informal process – Do you know the material? – How well do you present yourself? • Preparation reduces anxiety – Knowledge – Self-confidence
Oral Test Taking, Boards, & Interviews • Preparation & Practice! – Research possible questions asked – Have others quiz you • Know what to expect • If impressive, present it!
Oral Test Taking, Boards, & Interviews • Be on time! Never late! • Critical first impression – Room entry – Properly follow reporting procedure – Practice customs and courtesies throughout • “Sir,” “Ma’am,” or “Sergeant” – If in uniform • Correct and sharp • Have someone familiar w/uniform look you over before entering
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