Test Taking Skills

1
Test Taking Skills

• Essay Tests
• Developed and Designed by Birma Gainor

2
Advice Outline

• Predict Questions from your Notes
• Practice
• Plan your Approach to Answering Test Questions
• Quick Tips

3
Predict Questions from your Notes

• Short Answer Questions
• If your notes list a group of people or things,
  the most likely way to ask about them would be
  short answer
• Short answer questions usually include list,
  name, define, or identify

4
Predict Questions (cont)

• Trace Questions
• If your notes show the steps in a process of
  listing and developing, you are looking at a
  trace question
• Some key words or phrases Describe the steps
  in, Outline the history of, Trace the
  development of

5
Predict Questions (cont)

• Compare and Contrast Questions
• If your notes describe two or more things that
  have some similar features and some different
  features, you are looking at compare and contrast
• Some key words or phrases Compare and contrast,
  Show the similarities and differences, Tell how
  (these) two things are alike and different,
  Weigh the advantages and disadvantages between

6
Predict Questions (cont)

• Discussion Questions
• If your notes describe the effects of one thing
  on another, or the significance of a particular
  event, individual, or institution, predict a
  discussion question
• These questions often begin with Discuss the role
  of, Discuss the significance of, Discuss the
  effect of

7
Practice

• Practice writing answers on the questions your
  predict.
• Using your notes, write out some answers based on
  what questions your notes might generate.

8
Plan Your Approach

• Plan your approach to the actual test questions.
• Note points assigned to each question and allot
  time accordingly. Dont spend a lot of time on
  questions worth few points!
• If you have a problem with a question, skip it
  and save for later if possible
• Make brief, concise notes for each essay question

9
Quick Tips

• Examine the question
• Choose a title
• Outline or map your response before you write
• Have a beginning, middle, and end

10
Quick Tips (cont)

• Use transitional words
• If you run out of time, outline the remaining
  questions
• Proofread your answers
• If a question confuses you, write any thoughts
  you have about the topic on the back of your paper

11
Questions?

• Please talk to one of the staff members if you
  have more concerns or if you would like
  assistance.