Learning new information can be fun, but being tested on it can make you question what you thought you knew. Nerves can also make your mind seem to go blank. That can mean that your test score doesn’t accurately reflect what you know. You’ve put in the time studying and reviewing, so now it’s time to apply effective test taking strategies and demonstrate your knowledge.
Read through the whole test first. It is tempting just to dive in and get started but take a moment to review how many questions there are, what types of questions, and what information is covered. You can get a better idea of how much time you have for each section and what parts might take you longer than others.
Do a brain dump. If you spent time memorizing formulas, dates, names, or terms, and you’re worried about forgetting something, write it at the top of your test or on a scratch piece of paper first. Then you aren’t wasting time and energy thinking, “I need to remember this.” You can jot down the formula while it’s fresh in your mind and go back and look at it once you get to those questions.
Pay attention to the directions. Oftentimes errors are made not because you don’t know the information, but because you didn’t read the directions carefully and weren’t doing what it asked. Circle or underline key information. For example, if it is asking you which one does not belong, or which event did not happen in a certain year.
Start with the easiest questions. Answer what you know right off the bat and get those questions out of the way. Then you can go back and spend time on the questions that require more thought or problem solving.
Eliminate wrong answers. For multiple choice questions, cross out any answers you know are not correct. This goes back to carefully reading what the question is asking. Then, think through the answers that remain and choose the one that is the best fit.
Look for absolutes. When answering multiple choice or true/false questions, be on the lookout for words such as “always,” “never,” “every,” or “none.” These terms can quickly signal that certain answers are incorrect. If you can think of an example that is an exception, then you know “always” or “never” doesn’t apply.
Create an outline for essays. Don’t just start writing. Think about what the prompt is asking you and what information you need to cover in your response. Jot down a quick outline to organize your thoughts and make sure you touch on each point.
Check for completeness. Go back over your test and make sure you have answered every question. If there is something you don’t know, guess. If you leave it blank, you’ll definitely get points taken off, but if you at least attempt to answer, you have a chance of getting it right.
If you start to feel stressed, take a few deep breaths. Remember that exams are only part of your grade, and other assignments, projects, and class participation count too. Don’t let test anxiety get the best of you. Crafting Scholars can help you prepare for exams and equip you with a variety of test taking strategies you can apply to improve your performance. Contact us today to get started!