Test Preparation and Test-taking

Objective Exams

Adapted from a handout by Jane L. McGrath

This handout covers the following information in regard to taking objective tests. Some of the initial information is repeated on the Essay Test and Online Test handouts as it applies to all test formats. Use these jump links to take you to the sections you want to access:

Assessing Your Testing Skills

Cramming: A Note of Caution

Tips for Taking Objective Tests

Preparing for an Objective Test

Taking an Objective Exam

Reviewing the Objective Exam

Related Learning Links

Before launching into how to prepare for and take essay tests, it is helpful to get an idea of your test-taking skills. Here are some web sites that help provide this insight. New windows will open so please disable any automatic pop-up killers.

Testing Skills Self-Assessment Take this quick survey to find out the level of your test-taking skills. (University of Texas at Austin)

Self-Monitoring Exam Check List Evaluate your exam preparation and performance (Muskingum College)

What's Your Test Taking IQ? (Texas State University at San Marcos)

Test-Taking: What Would You Do? (Texas State University at San Marcos)

Rate Your Test Taking Skills (Diablo Valley College)

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Before taking a test, most of us feel nervous and worry about remembering all the information we studied predominates our thinking. So cramming may seem the best way to relieve ourselves of this stress. However, the opposite is true and it's important to know why. Below are some web sites with information about the dangers of all-night cramming.

Cramming Be sure to click on the site links to "Emergency Test Preparation" and "10 Tips on Terrific Test-taking." (Study Guides and Strategies)

Anatomy of an All-Nighter Read what really happens mentally and physically when you pull an all-nighter (University of Texas at Austin)

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The following web sites provide information about how to effectively take objective tests. New windows will open, so please disable any automatic pop-up killers.

Checklist for Objective and Essay Test-Taking Check out the other links at the top for more information. (Diablo Valley College)

Improving Your Objective Test-taking Skills Useful, practical tips! (Brazosport College)

Objective Test-Taking Great information with examples of how to do it! (California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo)

Test-taking Techniques II: Taking Objective and Essay Tests (Texas State University at San Marcos)

Sample Objective Questions True/False Tests More tips! (Study Guides and Strategies)

Preparing for Multiple Choice Exams Preparation, in-class strategies, and practice (York University)

Strategies for Taking Multiple-Choice Exams Find out what to look for! (University of Illinois at Chicago)

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Confidence in most endeavors comes from effective preparation. There is much you can do to ensure that your test performance is the best it can be. Follow these steps to successful objective test preparation and see your grades rise.

• Review chapter/study guide introductions and summaries. The theme and main ideas provide a necessary framework for the details you are required to know.

• Review text notes and study guide exercises.

• Locate information for questions missed, marking it with a different color of ink.

• Turn headings/main points into questions.

• Recite information out loud. If you can’t say it, the information is not yet stored in memory, so go back and review it, then try again.

• Make charts, diagrams or graphic organizers to enhance memory of key points.

• Define all terms and any general vocabulary of the subject.

• Know the key people, why they are significant, and their contributions to the field of study.

• Work problems by actually doing them—don’t just look over samples.

• Know important proofs, diagrams, formulas, cycles, etc.

• Review specific information with a study card system:
  
  

  • Write a question on the front of a 3 x 5 card.

  • Write the answer on the back of the card.

  • Read the questions and try to answer them without looking at the back.

  • Carry cards with you and review often, such as when you are waiting for an appointment, standing in line, stuck in traffic, on hold on the phone.

  • Shuffle the cards often to change their order.

  • Cut off one corner of the cards that contain information learned. The ones with uncut corners signal that you need to review these more frequently.

  • Separating cards into three separate piles is also effective as you can then study accordingly:
    1. information you have learned
    2. information that know fairly well but are not sure of
    3. information you have not learned

 

Web Sites about How to Prepare Before Taking an Objective Test

Before the Exam: PREP—Objective Tests Know the drill, create a strategy, be active (University of Texas at Austin)

Anticipating Test Content What's going to be on the test? (Study Guides and Strategies)

Studying for Exams Here are 5 sound strategies plus ideas for practice exams. (University of Illinois at Chicago)

Test Preparation Just about everything you need to know about preparing for exams (Muskingum College)

College Test Taking: How to Play the Game Follow these winning strategies (Texas State University at San Marcos)

Test-taking Strategies This comprehensive site presents a step-by-step plan for successful test-taking (Muskingum College)

Objective Test Practice Questions I and Practice Questions II (Texas State University)

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With all of the preparation behind you, here are some test-taking tips that will help you succeed once you are in the classroom.

• Read all directions. Don't assume that you know what to do.

• Budget your time. Don't end up rushing at the end of the test session.

• Ask for help about points that are not clear.

• First answer the questions that you know. Afterward, go back and spend time on the ones you are not sure of. You will feel more confident, you may find answers to other test questions, and you will complete more of the test questions.

• Watch for absolute or categorical statements in true-false questions. They are usually false.

• Choose the answer that requires the least amount of assumptions. If you say to yourself, "If this were true then....," it probably is not the correct answer.

• Remember that generalizations are usually only partially true.

• Read the "stem" of multiple choice questions and try to answer them for yourself before you look at the choices. Then pick the answer closest to yours.

• Read all the possible answers in multiple choice questions even if you think the first or second choice is correct.

• Eliminate alternatives in multiple choice and matching questions so you narrow your choice and increase the probability of a correct answer.

• Guess at an answer (unless there is a guess penalty) rather than leave a blank—you might be right! If you have time, go back at the end and give it further thought. Use scratch paper to mark the numbers of the questions you were not sure of so you know exactly which ones to review.

• Change an answer only if you can think of a concrete reason that makes your first answer wrong. When you "guess," your first answer is usually the best.

Web Sites about How to Take an Objective Test

Eleven Point Test Taking Method (Diablo Valley College)

During the Test: Taking Objective Tests Do the drill, implement a strategy, be active (University of Texas at Austin)

Strategies to Use with Difficult Exam Questions Here's good advice about what to do when you get stuck. (Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University)

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Taking time to review a returned test will prove extremely valuable. You will discover not only what went well for you but also have the opportunity to learn both missed content and better test-taking skills.

Analyzing Past Tests Determine your strengths and weaknesses as a test-taker from your past tests. (Bucks County Community College)

A Dozen Reasons to Review a Returned Test (Middle Tennessee State University)

After the Test: Analysis of Objective Exams Exam Debriefing Assess how well you prepared for and performed on a test (Muskingum College)