Test Taking Tips

1
Test Taking Tips

• Read over the test
• How many parts?
• How many points is each part worth?
• What is required for each part?
• Which part should be done first?
• Calculate the time needed to answer each question

2
Multiple Choice

• Designed to test your ability to
• recognize facts
• recall and apply facts
• recall and apply concepts

3
Recall and Apply Questions

• Which of the following was not identified by
  Freud as a supplementary defense mechanism for
  anxiety?
• displacement
• psychogenic episodes
• projection
• reaction formation
• rationalization

4
Multiple Choice Exam Tips

• Read the first part of the question
• underline key words
• translate the question into your own words
• watch for negative or qualifying words
• Predict an answer before you read the
  alternatives

5
Multiple Choice Exam Tips

• Read all the alternatives
• If you are unsure
• - Cross off the alternatives you know are wrong
• Come back later
• Watch your time

6
Tips for essay questions

• Answer these first, as they are often worth the
  most points
• Make a plan of your main ideas
• Be clear about the difference between what others
  say and what you say

7
Strategies for answering essay and short answer
questions

• Read the question for key words
• When you have the question clearly in mind, make
  a plan

8
Create an essay plan

• Jot down specific supporting information
• Make a rough outline
• Write a thesis statement that responds to the
  question and controls your answer
• Fight the impulse to jot down everything you know
  about the subject

9
Essay question introductions and conclusions

• Introduction
• briefly analyze the question,
• elaborate on key terms
• indicate how you will structure your response
• Conclusion
• add 2 3 insights, reflections, or questions

10
A good test essay

• Directly addresses the question
• Is clearly structured in relation to the question
• Supports its argument with references drop
  names
• Shows originality

11
Marking criteria for essay questions

• Depth of understanding of readings
• Engagement and connections
• Organization
• Relevance
• References

12
Short Answer

• Order your argument
• Topic sentence and 3 or 4 supporting sentences
• Use specifics--no generalizations
• Show breadth of thought
• Stay within your time limit

13
Ways to lose marks

• Dont answer the question directly
• Include irrelevant information
• Omit relevant material
• Allocate your time inappropriately
• Write illegibly

14
Avoid overkill
15
General Study Tips

• Knowledge (key terms definition)
• Comprehension (identify support evidence)
• Application (apply a concept to a new situation)

• Flash cards memory tricks
• Generate illustrations of how key terms work
• Practice solving different kinds of problems with
  the same equation

16
General Study Tips

• Analysis (case study)
• Synthesis (link ideas to create a new
  interpretation
• Evaluation (criticize an established theory)

• Fully examine every possibility
• Write practice essays make outlines
• Write practice critiques organize your answers
  into pros and cons.

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Troubleshooting

• Running out of time
• Choosing between similar answers

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And remember

• Breathe!