Test Taking
Tests seem to be a necessary evil in today’s colleges. They measure your ability to remember information more than your grasp of the material. The negatives of such an approach are that it limits students’ time exploring specific topics that might interest them, limiting their ability to make broader connections among the information they already know, and limiting development of vital skills, such as applying newly learned information. The educational institute, unfortunately, has been more information-based than critical thinking and creativity, which are two abilities that the world increasingly needs.
Nonetheless, tests are currently a major part of your academic life and future. You can learn to do well on tests. Here we’ll take a look at some of the more common types (multiple choice, essay, and fill-in- the-blank) and some tips to do well on them.
Multiple choice
Taking a multiple choice test is:
When you are preparing for and taking one of these exams, learn to eliminate options; come back to more challenging questions after getting through those you already know well; guess if there is no penalty for doing so; and use prior questions to help you determine the most likely answers. The last one doesn’t always work, so prepare for tests weeks in advance.
Essay questions
Essay questions and open-ended questions can be difficult. Many professors and students dislike them, some love them. Still, they are a lot of work to grade. Imagine having 150 students in a single class. Each student writes a paragraph for each question. This means the instructors will have to read 150 paragraphs. Then multiply this by the number of essay questions, the number of tests in a course, and the number of courses taught by the professor. That’s a lot, even with assistance! Although you might think it is good payback for the many pages of reading you were assigned.
Few graders will read every word of each response. Therefore, it’s important to make it easy for them to realize that you’ve answered the question well. Plan out the structure of your essay so you do not waste your time writing out something that does not answer the question. Make sure to use keywords in your responses. Start off by answering the question directly and then build or elaborate on it. Use words that suggest the direction of what is to follow, such as “for example,” “therefore,” and “in conclusion.” Also consider using bullet points, numbering, and other methods that work well with the essay question.
If a mistake was made by the professor or the assistant, feel free to ask them about it. However, do not argue over petty points, especially if you do not deserve them. The points that some students grovel over are usually insignificant in changing a course grade in a major way. Even then, wouldn’t it be better to talk with the instructor to learn about the best way to take their test, build a rapport with them, and do well on the test? It may be a better insurance plan for a decent grade than betting on getting a few points if something goes wrong with testing.
Fill-in-the-blank tests
Fill-in-the-blank tests can be easy or hard, depending on your professor’s approach. Sometimes, these tests can be as easy as filling in keywords from the course material. Other times, it can be as difficult as writing a word or two that is not a keyword of the topic but shows that you understand what is being covered in the course. Spelling may or may not count toward your test grade. It’s usually based on the subject, and even more on your professor. Reviewing outlines of your course lectures and texts is a great way to create word cues to bring to mind the content and remember keywords. Be sure to also review in the other direction, such as reading a paragraph and fetching the correct describing word from your memory.
Some overall tips for taking tests:
Nonetheless, tests are currently a major part of your academic life and future. You can learn to do well on tests. Here we’ll take a look at some of the more common types (multiple choice, essay, and fill-in- the-blank) and some tips to do well on them.
Multiple choice
Taking a multiple choice test is:
- A) easy
- B) hard
- C) fun
- D) all of the above
- E) none of the above
- F) choices A and B
When you are preparing for and taking one of these exams, learn to eliminate options; come back to more challenging questions after getting through those you already know well; guess if there is no penalty for doing so; and use prior questions to help you determine the most likely answers. The last one doesn’t always work, so prepare for tests weeks in advance.
Essay questions
Essay questions and open-ended questions can be difficult. Many professors and students dislike them, some love them. Still, they are a lot of work to grade. Imagine having 150 students in a single class. Each student writes a paragraph for each question. This means the instructors will have to read 150 paragraphs. Then multiply this by the number of essay questions, the number of tests in a course, and the number of courses taught by the professor. That’s a lot, even with assistance! Although you might think it is good payback for the many pages of reading you were assigned.
Few graders will read every word of each response. Therefore, it’s important to make it easy for them to realize that you’ve answered the question well. Plan out the structure of your essay so you do not waste your time writing out something that does not answer the question. Make sure to use keywords in your responses. Start off by answering the question directly and then build or elaborate on it. Use words that suggest the direction of what is to follow, such as “for example,” “therefore,” and “in conclusion.” Also consider using bullet points, numbering, and other methods that work well with the essay question.
If a mistake was made by the professor or the assistant, feel free to ask them about it. However, do not argue over petty points, especially if you do not deserve them. The points that some students grovel over are usually insignificant in changing a course grade in a major way. Even then, wouldn’t it be better to talk with the instructor to learn about the best way to take their test, build a rapport with them, and do well on the test? It may be a better insurance plan for a decent grade than betting on getting a few points if something goes wrong with testing.
Fill-in-the-blank tests
Fill-in-the-blank tests can be easy or hard, depending on your professor’s approach. Sometimes, these tests can be as easy as filling in keywords from the course material. Other times, it can be as difficult as writing a word or two that is not a keyword of the topic but shows that you understand what is being covered in the course. Spelling may or may not count toward your test grade. It’s usually based on the subject, and even more on your professor. Reviewing outlines of your course lectures and texts is a great way to create word cues to bring to mind the content and remember keywords. Be sure to also review in the other direction, such as reading a paragraph and fetching the correct describing word from your memory.
Some overall tips for taking tests:
- Follow the directions explicitly.
- Write in a way that anyone reading your test can see that you answered the question.
- Write neatly; your test grader will appreciate the effort and be more willing to boost your grade. up if it is on the border of two grades.
- Bring the right testing material to class, such as pen or pencil, paper or scantron, etc.
- Underline your main points—it makes it easy for the grader to find your answer.
- Use your time wisely, such as not spending too much time on a single question.
- Know what will and will not be covered.
- Build up on nutrition and rest well before the test.
- Manage stress via breathing techniques and reappraisal of the situation.