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HOW TO MAXIMIZE TEST-TAKING PERFORMANCE
A. Two types of tests
1. Objective tests: scores are same for all graders
a. Types: matching, true-false, multiple-choice, and
fill-in-the-blank
b. Type of material most often tested is factual
c. Cognitive functions required: recognition and
decision making
d. Preparation strategies
1) To increase retention of new material
a) Use SQ4R cards as flash cards.
b) Quiz classmates on key terms and concepts.
c) Use mnemonics (i.e., memory strategies).
2) To increase understanding of new material
a) Make up concrete examples of abstract ideas.
b) Apply new material to your everyday life.
3) To anticipate questions and avoid mistakes
a) Review and learn from previous tests in the class.
b) Try to identify reasons why you missed previous questions.
e. Test-taking strategies for objective tests
1) Read directions carefully and ask for clarification if necessary.
2) Read all questions thoroughly before you answer any of them.
3) Answer the easiest questions first and leave the hardest for last.
4) Read all the answers to each question before you select one.
5) Use the process of elimination to increase your success on hard questions.
6) Avoid distractors containing absolutes (e.g., everyone or never).
7) Use remaining time to check answers.
8) Answer changing is okay, but know your answer-changing style.
9) If your professor allows you to write on the test paper, cross out wrong answers and
underline critical words in the questions to help you focus on the right answer.
2. Subjective tests: scores can depend upon characteristics
of graders
a. Types: essay and short answer
b. Types of materials most often tested: conceptual
and theoretical
c. Cognitive functions required:
comprehension, application, analysis, synthesis, and evaluation
d. Preparation strategies
1) Attempt to anticipate questions
(2nd step of SQ4R).
2) Practice writing answers to
anticipated questions (4th step of SQ4R)
3) Use mnemonics to help you remember
main parts of answers.
4) Review previous tests in the class to
help you identify weaknesses in your pattern of answering subjective test questions.
e. Test-taking strategies for subjective tests
1) Read directions carefully and ask for clarification if necessary.
2) Determine how much time to spend on each question.
3) Begin with the easiest question.
4) Underline important parts of the question, and be sure to answer all the parts.
5) Prepare a brief outline of your answer.
6) Write your answer and check off outline points as you write.
7) Go to next easiest question and follow steps three to five and continue with the
remaining questions.
8) Spend the final 10 minutes reviewing your answers to detect and correct any errors in
facts, grammar, or spelling.
How you can use your past tests to improve your future test
scores?
I. Pay very close attention to the questions you missed.
a. Does the correct answer surprise you, and if
so, why?
b. Where was the correct answer (book or
lecture)?
II. Did you highlight or underline it in your book?
III. Was it included in your notes?
IV. Did you do as well as you thought you would?
1) Was there any type of question on which you did especially well?
2) Was there any type of questions on which you did especially poorly and, if so, can you
figure out why?
Change your method of study for each test until you find out what
works best for you.
V. The formula for maximizing test performance: Preparation + Control = Success
1. Preparation before tests
a. Attend classes without fail.
b. Listen actively during lectures and take
careful notes.
c. Use the SQ4R method to read assignments.
d. Divide study time into sections; do not
cram.
e. Study questions you missed on old tests so
you can avoid missing them on future tests.
f. Review both alone and with others in
the class, but remember that study sessions that are primarily social will no help your
test scores.
2. Control during tests
a. Read all questions first.
b. Ask your professor for clarification of questions.
c. Answer the easiest questions first.
d. Use the process of elimination (objective tests).
e. Outline answers (subjective tests).
f. Review and check answers.
3. Success before, during, and after tests
a. You will acquire, understand, and retain new and valuable
knowledge.
b. You will achieve higher academic performance in the form of better
grades.
c. You will increase your sense of self-esteem.
VI.. Conclusions and advice about test taking
1. Material learned in several short sessions is learned faster, retained longer, and
understood better than the same amount of material learned in one long sitting.
Therefore: Avoid cramming.
2. Professors are particularly sensitive to the concept of academic honesty. Therefore
Be sure that you are aware of all your instructor's rules for behavior during tests. Do
not put yourself in the position of engaging in a behavior that a professor could perceive
as academically dishonest.
3. Do not go into the first test in any class without having an idea of what it will be
like. Therefore: Try to find out about your professor's testing methods by asking students
who have done will in the class before and examining old tests from the class if they are
available.
4. Try to take tests in a relatively relaxed state of mind. Therefore If you suffer
from test anxiety, do something about it by visiting your college's counseling center.
However, the best defense against test anxiety is adequate preparation. Most test anxiety
is caused by the very realistic fear of failure that is the result of inadequate
preparation.
5. Do not expect learning to be a quick and easy process. It will take time and
sometimes it will be difficult. Expect to spend a minimum of 2 hours studying and writing
papers outside of class for each hour of class you attend. Therefore: Think about
college as a full-time job in which you must put in at least 45 hours of concentrated
academic work per week (approximately 15 hours in class and another 30 hours of studying
outside class). That still leaves you with 123 hours to eat, sleep, socialize, play, and
relax each week!
6. Expect to be frustrated sometimes, but do not give up just because something is hard
to learn. You can succeed if you just make up your mind to do so!
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