TAKING OBJECTIVE AND ESSAY EXAMS

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TAKING OBJECTIVE AND ESSAY EXAMS

• Prepare for an objective exam
• Prepare for an essay exam
• Write a good essay exam
• Cram when you have no other
  choice

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WHAT TO STUDY

• Pay attention to the following
• Key terms, definitions and their examples
  (usually in italics, boldface)
• Lists of items from class or textbook notes
• Points emphasized in class or text
• Areas that teacher advised you to study
• Questions from past quizzes, tests

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GENERAL TIPS BEFORE THE EXAM

• Making the most of your time right before the
  test
• The night before, make a final review. Go right
  to bed. Get up a half-hour early and review your
  notes.
• Take any materials you will need (pens, pencils,
  dictionary, calculator, etc.).
• Read all directions thoroughly and follow them.
• Budget your time.

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OBJECTIVE EXAMS

• May include multiple choice, true-false, fill-in
  and matching questions
• Well-constructed objective tests can evaluate
  your understanding of the material just as well
  as an essay test.
• So dont cut your study time short just because
  it is an objective test.

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OBJECTIVE EXAMS

• Getting ready
• Try to find out what kinds of items will be on
  the test
• Review the main points and practice repeated
  self-testing
• Make up practice test items when you study

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OBJECTIVE EXAMS

• Taking objective exams
• Answer all the easy questions first
• Check difficult questions and return to them
  after you complete the easy ones
• Answer all the questions unless you lose points
  for wrong answers
• Ask for clarification on any test items that are
  unclear

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OBJECTIVE EXAMS

• Taking objective exams
• On confusing items, try to put yourself in the
  teachers shoes
• Circle or underline key words in difficult
  questions
• Rephrase difficult questions into your own words
• Take all the time given and review for possible
  mistakes

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OBJECTIVE EXAMS

• Special hints for multiple choice questions
• Choose the best answer even if it isnt the
  perfect answer
• Cross out answers you know are incorrect
• Read all possible answers to the question
• Minimize the risk of guessing by eliminating
  choices
• Try supplying your own answer before looking at
  the choices given on the test

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OBJECTIVE EXAMS

• Clues that may signal correct answers
• The longest answer is often correct
• The most complete and inclusive answer is often
  correct
• An answer in the middle, especially one with the
  most words, is often correct
• If two answers have the opposite meaning, one is
  probably correct
• Answers with qualifiers such as generally,
  probably, most, often, some, sometimes, and
  usually are frequently correct.

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OBJECTIVE EXAMS

• Clues that may signal incorrect answers
• If two answers are close in meaning, both are
  probably incorrect.
• Answers with absolute words such as all, always,
  everyone, no one, none, only are usually
  incorrect.

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OBJECTIVE EXAMS

• Special hints for true-false questions
• Simplify questions with double negatives by
  crossing out both negatives and then determining
  the correct answer
• Remember that answers with qualifiers such as
  generally, probably, most, some and usually are
  frequently true
• Remember that answers with absolute words such as
  all, everyone, no one, none and only are usually
  false

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OBJECTIVE EXAMS

• Special hints for fill-in questions
• Read questions to yourself so that you hear what
  is being asked.
• Make sure your answer fits logically and
  grammatically into the sentence.
• Not all fill-in questions require just one word

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OBJECTIVE EXAMS

• Special hints for matching questions
• Dont start matching words until you have read
  both columns and know your options
• Always start with the easy items
• Cross out items as you use them

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ESSAY EXAMS

• Preparing for the essay exam
• Make up 10 probable questions
• Prepare and memorize an informal outline for each
  of your questions
• Circle key words in each main point
• Below the outline, write the first letter of each
  key word
• Use the letters to make a catch phrase
• Test yourself until you can recall the main
  points and key words

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ESSAY EXAMS

• Taking the essay exam
• Read all the questions on the test to get an
  overview
• Note the direction words (compare, illustrate,
  list, etc.) so that you will know what kind of
  answer is required
• Start with the least demanding question to build
  your confidence for more difficult items

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ESSAY EXAMS

• Taking the essay exam
• Prepare a brief outline before answering an essay
  question
• Write a well-organized, careful essay
• Proofread if time allows

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CRAMMING WHEN YOU HAVE NO OTHER CHOICE

• Cramming usually means you havent planned your
  time well
• But even the best-laid plans can go astray
• You cant study everything

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HOW TO CRAM

• Read through your class and/or text notes and
  mark important ideas
• Use study sheets or review guides provided by the
  teacher
• Write important ideas on one side of a page of
  paper
• Prepare catch words or phrases to help you recall
  and memorize the material
• Review all your notes and skim textbook
• Do not attempt to learn new concepts

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PRACTICE ACTIVITIES

• Objective exam practice
• Essay exam practice