Test-Taking Strategies

 

IMPLEMENTING STRONG TEST-TAKING STRATEGIES

We have covered strategies for test preparation and how to help set your student up for test-day success. The actual taking of the test, though, goes beyond just studying. Think of test day like ‘game day’ in sports; you’ve practiced diligently, but the actual game presents its own challenges. How students take a test can largely influence their performance, so we’ve pulled together some of the top resources for test-taking, including those for online tests.

STRATEGIES FOR IMPROVING TEST PERFORMANCE

Showing up for a test can be nerve-wracking. With test-taking strategies in mind, you can approach tests with a clear mind and focus on applying the knowledge you have acquired through diligent studying.

Test day strategies often begin before you even sit down to take the test. Indeed, according to the CDC, academic performance is strongly correlated with health.

For instance, the night before a test, you will benefit more from getting enough sleep than trying to cram in a few more hours of studying. Studying late into the night can actually have a detrimental effect on academic performance, whereas sleeping improves cognitive functioning.

Studies have also shown that skipping breakfast is associated with lower cognitive performance. Make sure you are properly fueled with a healthy meal.

The last pre-test advice we have is to come to test-day prepared and calm. For at-home exams, you should sit at a desk and change out of pajamas to best replicate the school environment.

Coming prepared to an exam means:

  • Bringing a watch or clock to check the time

  • Having all necessary materials (pencils, calculators, etc.)

Before starting, take a few breaths and drink some water as you calm yourself and mentally prepare. When you actually sit down to take the test, you can implement some key strategies to help best manage your time and properly answer all the questions. These strategies, listed below, require no content knowledge and will make life easier during the exam:

  • Look through the entire test: Take a few minutes to review the test layout. Multiple choice questions often take less time than word problems but may also be worth fewer points. Tackle the big-point categories first, leaving enough time for the rest of the test.

  • Prioritize: If you don’t know the answer to a question, skip it and come back later. Start by completing the problems that cover areas in which you are most confident, specifically targeting those that will give you the most points.

  • Plan out essays: For essay exams, make sure you spend 5 minutes or so planning an outline for the essay, Taking some time to clearly organize your thoughts and ideas will result in overall stronger work.

  • Use multiple choice to your advantage: Occasionally, multiple choice questions provide important facts that can be used later in the exam, in answers to long response questions, for instance.

For multiple choice questions, first identify the answer you think is correct. If multiple choices appear correct, reread the question and look for specific wording that might give you a clue. If you’re still having trouble, try working backward, eliminating the incorrect answers.

For true-and-false questions, you can occasionally use word clues to your advantage. The common advice is to be wary of options with words in the absolute, such as “always” or “never.” This trick should only be used in a pinch; trust your studying first and foremost.

For short answer and essay-style questions, read the instructions carefully and be sure to answer all parts of the question.

Taking tests can be challenging at times, but employing some of the aforementioned strategies can help you feel more confident and prepared on test day.

TAKING ONLINE TESTS

With distance learning already underway, you may have already taken an online test or two this year. While most of the same strategies apply to these tests, it is important for us to consider the online-specific requirements.

Be sure to consider the following logistical strategies:

  • Make sure all devices are plugged in or charged to prevent any battery issues

  • Have the contact information for your teacher or technical support readily accessible; you want to be prepared in the event that a program quits or doesn’t function properly (especially during timed exams)

  • If you do experience issues mid-test, take screenshots of the problem or your progress, if possible

If the program being used for an online test requires you to save your answers, be sure to regularly click the save button to keep track of your progress. For longer answers, writing them in a word-processor, like Microsoft Word, and then copy-and-pasting them back into the test program can also help reduce the risk of lost progress.

We also recommend relying on a separate timer to keep track of time. Doing so will help with time management, preventing you from spending too much time on any one section of the test.

One of the best ways to prepare for online tests is by taking practice tests in a similar environment. If you are able to simulate the digital, online submission environment in practice, you will feel more comfortable during the actual test, thereby allowing you to focus on the content rather than the potential quirks of the program.

Finally, if time allows, be sure to check your answers before final submission. If the test is not timed, definitely take the time to double-check everything before turning it in!

REDUCING TEST ANXIETY

Feeling nervous on test day is very common. Anxiety and/or self-doubt, though, can have detrimental effects on test performance, which is why we want to provide you with some advice.

The first step to minimizing test anxiety is quality preparation. Be sure to give yourself plenty of time to prepare for tests. This preparation should ideally begin as soon as the test date is announced, if not sooner. Preventing last-minute cramming by being prepared will help reduce stress and associated anxiety.

As you explore the root of your test anxiety, here are a few things to consider:

  • Triggers: When you begin to feel anxious, what are you thinking about? Specific types of questions, time constraints, grade pressures? Identifying such triggers can help you better control your anxiety and start to build relaxation strategies.

  • Physiological State: To enter test-day physically prepared, make sure you eat enough food, drink enough water, and get plenty of rest.

  • Relaxation: Before an exam, focus on your breathing and employ tactics such as visualizing yourself doing well on the test.

  • Test-Taking Plan: You can minimize your anxiety by being fully prepared and having a plan for answering the questions. If time is an issue, try dividing up the sections of the test, tackling one at a time.

According to Brown University’s Counseling and Psychological Services Center, talking to other students right before a test can increase anxiety, especially if those students are nervous too. Consider showing up early to the test and practicing relaxation techniques on your own.

Tests can be challenging and nerve-wracking at times, but don’t forget to remind yourself that you’ve diligently prepared for the test. If negative thoughts start to creep up, take a moment and breathe.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

 
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