Test-Taking Strategies
Your upcoming test is an opportunity for you to show what you have learned all term. What can you do to ensure success on a test? Here are some useful strategies:
Before the Test
- Use your study skills as you go.
- Research the test’s structure and scope.
- What is the test format?
- What chapters does it cover?
- How many questions are on it?
- What is the time-limit?
- What materials are allowed?
- Is a study-guide provided?
- Are practice tests available?
- What percentage of your final grade is the test?
- Collect and organize the resources you need to study.
- Classroom notes
- Textbook notes
- Master set of notes
- Study guides
- Practice tests
- Handouts
- Slides or presentations
- Study over several sessions
- Make a study plan for several days before the exam
- Have a clear goal for each study session
- Study in 45-60 minutes chunks and then take a break
- Create flashcards
- Make a study guide
- Predict test questions
- Practice answering essay questions
- Get a good night’s sleep
- Have a healthy breakfast
- Be sure you have all the necessary materials
- Pencils
- Erasers
- Pens
- Answer sheets/test booklets
- Calculators
During the Test
- Scan the test first to see what it covers.
- This often reduces anxiety and boosts confidence.
- Identify the point value of each test section.
- Write down what you know.
- If you are trying to remember things like formulas, definitions, lists, etc., flip your test over and write down everything you are trying to remember. This will clear your brain, allowing you to focus 100% on the exam, rather than using part of your attention to remember specific information.
- Now that you have scanned your test, how much time should you spend on each section?
- This can often reduce anxiety and keeps you from unnecessarily rushing.
- Check on the time often to make sure you are on track. Slow down or speed up as necessary.
- Work on high point-value questions first.
- Read the instructions carefully.
- Don’t assume you know what the instructions are. Be sure!
- Answer the easy questions first and skip the harder ones.
- Go through the test and answer all of the ones you know first.
- Skip the ones you are unsure of. There are often clues later in the exam or another question will spark your memory.
- Stay positive by not getting down about a question you don’t know. Skip it and return to it later.
- Read each question carefully!
- Answer everything. Don’t leave anything blank, even if you have to guess.
- Don’t rush! Use all the time available. There are no points for finishing first.
- Check your work for accuracy.
- Check to make sure you have answered all parts of a question.
- Check your answer sheet every 10 questions to make sure you aren’t mismarking.
- Only change an answer if you are SURE you made a mistake. Your first instinct is most likely correct.
After the Test
- Reward yourself for a job well done!
- Stick with your study schedule
- We have a tendency to take a break from our studies after an exam, often resulting in being behind the next week.
- Use the test as a learning tool
- What did you well?
- What can you do differently for the next test?
- What did you learn about this instructor’s testing style and how will that impact your study plan?
- What patterns do you notice about your test-taking?
- Did you lose points for not answering all parts of the essay?
- Did you not read questions or instructions carefully?
- Do you need to focus more on dates, vocabulary, formulas, etc.?
- Review your test carefully and fix all errors so you don’t make the same mistakes again.
- Apply the feedback to the next test.
Authored by: Heather Syrett. Provided by: Austin Community College.
License: CC Attribution 4.0 International
