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Berkshire Community College TRIO Field - 237 1

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in the Days and Weeks Before EXAMS Be sure to ATTEND each of your CLASSES regularly! Find out if the final exam is COMPREHENSIVE Learn to take good notes and review them after each class. Be sure to get copies of missing notes from a classmate and dont hesitate to follow up with your instructor for clarification on lecture material if needed. 2

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in the Days and Weeks Before EXAMS DEVELOP A SCHEDULE TO BUDGET YOUR TIME. Consider taking time off from work or asking for someone to fill in for other responsibilities. Share it with the important people in your life. PRIORITIZE the time needed for EACH class. Where are your greatest needs? Plan to study each day to AVOID CRAMMING and maintain balance with your other commitments. 3

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in the Days and Weeks Before EXAMS GET ORGANIZED with regard to time, place, materials, and the strategy to study that best meets your learning style and needs. Find times and spaces to use to study at school, at home, and during breaks at work. Hide! ARRANGE your study area(s) to MINIMIZE DISTRACTIONS. Have food & beverages with you. 4

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in the Days and Weeks Before EXAMS Study at times when you are most alert to give the material your best attention! Difficult concepts are tough to grasp if you are tired or hungry REVIEW textbook material. Skim margin notes, chapter summaries, and other highlighted information. Redo homework assignments and tests. See what you do know! SUMMARIZE and condense class and text notes, and organize supplemental materials. 5

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in the Days and Weeks Before EXAMS Prepare STUDY AIDS (flash cards, visual maps, hierarchies, matrixes, cartoons, pictures, etc.) to help you move the information from short to long term memory and retrieve it! Try reading and reviewing study materials aloud to the reinforce learning auditorally as well as through visual means. REQUEST A TUTOR whos had the instructor for this particular class. Theres still time left! 6

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in the Days and Weeks Before EXAMS Join a STUDY GROUP and talk with others about their interpretation of the material, etc. Do everything you can to OVERLEARN the content. TAKE BREAKS during your study sessions and REWARD YOURSELF for your efforts. KEEP A POSITIVE ATTITUDE and IMAGINE YOURSELF DOING WELL ON THE TEST! GET STARTED! 7

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by Knowing the Instructors Approach and Asking QUESTIONS Ask about the type of test to be given (essay, true/false, multiple choice, etc.) and specifics about the material to be covered. Ask how quiz and test questions will relate to material in the text. See if sample tests available. If not, talk with someone whos had the instructor before. 8

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RIGHT NOW! Review your test-taking experiences to date. What study tools and strategies worked? What might help you to do better? Incorporate these ideas into your study plan. Make time to speak with your professor if you need extra help. She/he will be thrilled to know you are preparing in advance. Stop by TRIO for additional tips or suggestions. WHAT IF? scenarios. 9

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the NIGHT BEFORE the EXAM Get enough REST before testing; avoid studying all night and dont forget to EAT 10

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on the Day of the EXAM Arrive a few minutes early so you arent rushed. READ DIRECTIONS THOROUGHLY. After writing down your name flip the test over and jot down any information you think you may forget (names, dates, formulas, etc.)to refer back to as you move through the test. 11

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on the Day of the EXAM BUDGET the TIME you have to complete the test. Concentrate on questions with the highest point values first and keep track of the time remaining to be sure you answer all questions! Answer the EASIEST QUESTIONS FIRST. If you find one too difficult, move on and return to it later. You may find a clue to the answer in another question. Dont let yourself get stuck! 12

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on the Day of the EXAM BE SURE YOUR ANSWERS CORRESPOND TO THE CORRECT NUMBERS ON THE ANSWER SHEET (if applicable)! ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS unless points are deducted for incorrect answers. CHECK your ANSWERS CAREFULLY. 13

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on the Day of the EXAM If you are anxious, stop for a moment and try DEEP BREATHING or imagine a positive outcome on the test to refocus your energy. No matter what happens, DO YOUR BEST and learn from your experience with this exam to better prepare for those in the future 14

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The ESSAY Test When preparing, look for THEMES in your readings and notes. ANTICIPATE QUESTIONS that bring together your assigned material and review texts and notes with these questions in mind. Begin the test by reading all of the questions. If you have a choice, pick the question you are best prepared to answer. 15

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The ESSAY Test Be prepared to express your own opinion and support it with evidence from your reading, research, and/or class discussions. Before writing out your essay, spend a few minutes organizing your ideas. Next create an OUTLINE and begin writing. STATE your IDEAS CLEARLY AND CONCISELY. 16

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The ESSAY Test Pay close attention to directional words such as describe, compare and contrast, summarize, explain, demonstrate, etc. YOU MUST BE SURE TO ANSWER THE QUESTION THAT IS ASKED and these words will help you! END your essay WITH A SUMMARY. 17

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TRUE / FALSE Tests READ all directions and questions CAREFULLY. If youre stuck on a question skip it, move on to the next and go back to it later. Sometimes other test questions bring to mind the answer to an earlier question! REMEMBER, a statement is TRUE if every part of the statement is true. Likewise a statement is FALSE if every part of the statement is false. One word can change either type of statement. 18

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TRUE / FALSE Tests If you have to guess at an answer, look for: ABSOLUTE WORDS such as only, none, all, always, and never they are often in FALSE questions because they dont allow for exceptions; and QUALIFYING WORDS such as many, may, more, some, often, and usually they are often TRUE because they do allow for exceptions. 19

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TRUE / FALSE Tests BE SURE ANSWERS CORRESPOND TO THE CORRECT NUMBERS ON THE ANSWER SHEET (if applicable)! 20

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MULTIPLE CHOICE Tests READ DIRECTIONS THOROUGHLY. If you get stuck on a question skip it, move on to the next question, and go back to it later. Later questions may bring to mind the answer to an earlier one! BE SURE ANSWERS CORRESPOND TO THE CORRECT NUMBERS ON THE ANSWER SHEET (if applicable). 21

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MULTIPLE CHOICE Tests Answer the question in your mind before looking at the answers that are listed. Next, READ EVERY WORD OF THE QUESTION AND THE CHOICES CAREFULLY. Misreading a single word can cause you to choose the incorrect answer. Consider all options no matter what your instincts tell you! 22

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MULTIPLE CHOICE Tests LOOK FOR KEY WORDS THAT WILL HELP DETERMINE THE ANSWER. The question may ask who the first person was to do something or it may ask who was not the first person to do or be some particular thing. USE THE PROCESS OF ELIMINATION TO REJECT ANSWERS YOU KNOW ARE INCORRECT. Any option you eliminate increases your chances of selecting the right answer. 23

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MULTIPLE CHOICE Tests If you become stuck, read the question with each answer to see if this helps to eliminate options. Be careful of all of the above. Make sure no other option is correct before selecting this choice. Be careful of none of the above. Make sure no other option is correct before making this choice. 24

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MULTIPLE CHOICE Tests Remember that ALL CORRECT CHOICES ARE PRESENT. You dont have to create the answer on a multiple choice test! Beware of article agreement, an _____ may make your eyes tear up (red pepper, onion, or jalapeno). The answer is an onion. Beware of singular and plural agreement, which words described her feelings (anger, joy, fear and anxiety). The words are fear and anxiety. 25

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MULTIPLE CHOICE Tests IF GUESSING AT AN ANSWER INVOLVING A NUMBER, CHOOSE ONE IN THE MIDDLE. High and low numbers tend to be used to distract you. IF GUESSING AT ANY QUESTION, PICK A FAMILIAR OPTION OVER AN UNFAMILIAR ONE. Unfamiliar options may be used to distract you as well. 26

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Advice CONSIDER THE TIPS OFFERED IN THIS WORKSHOP! Try to study throughout the semester, and avoid cramming if at all possible. Over learn the material to be sure you are prepared. Get a good nights sleep and eat before taking the test. YOUR BODY NEEDS REST AND FOOD FOR CLEAR THINKING! 27

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Advice ALLOW ENOUGH TIME TO GET TO THE PLACE WHERE YOULL BE TAKING THE TEST. Be sure youre familiar with the location, the rest rooms, water fountain, etc. Avoid arriving so early you are standing around with classmates. Their tension will readily transfer to you if you are close enough to hear their conversations! 28

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Advice Skip the difficult questions; answer the easiest first and go back. You may find a clue later on in the exam, and an answer to an earlier question may become clear as a result. If others are moving along more quickly than you, dont be bothered. MOVE AT YOUR OWN PACE WITHIN THE TIME ALLOTTED. 29

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Advice Likewise if others complete the test before you and leave the room, take full advantage of the time remaining to answer questions and check your work. YOURE NOT IN A RACE! If you find your heart is racing TRY DEEP BREATHING TO SLOW YOUR PULSE AND CALM YOURSELF. 30

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Advice PICTURE SUCCESS for yourself and imagine the best outcome possible. Consider learning relaxation techniques to help reduce your tension. Student Development offers instruction at no cost to you and can also offer advice and referral if you need additional assistance. Attend as many of the Study Skills Workshops offered by the Tutorial Center as you can! 31

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Advice MAINTAIN A POSITIVE ATTITUDE. Try to think of the exam as a challenge you can meet, and evaluate your own success rather than comparing yourself to others in your class. Each of us has different obligations and different demands on our time and energy! 32

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Learn from your experiences with mid-term exams and finals to better prepare yourself for the semesters to come Learn how to learn in the way that WORKS BEST FOR YOU! When the day is over and youve done your best wait the results in peace 33

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Berkshire Community College TRIO Workshop Preparing for EXAMS QUIZ What are four of the important things a student can do to get ready for and exam in the days and weeks before the test? What is one of the most important things a student should do the night before an exam? Why do you think it is not recommended that students cram for a test the night before it is scheduled? 34

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Preparing for EXAMS QUIZ (continued) What should a student do if she or he is unable to answer the first question on the exam? What strategy do you use to answer an essay question? What should a student do if she or he doesn t know the answer to a multiple choice question? How can a student seek help on campus if she or he is having trouble with test anxiety and wants to learn relaxation strategies? 35

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Preparing for EXAMS QUIZ (continued) How soon before an exam should a student begin studying? What should a student do if the instructor has not offered information on the format of the exam? How do you study for exams? What method helps you prepare the best? 36

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Pellish, Jane. A Guide to Taking Tests and Exams. Pittsfield, Massachusetts: Berkshire Community College, 2002. Wahlstrom, Carl and Brian Williams. LEARNING SUCCESS: being your best at college and life. Belmont, California: Wadsworth & Thomas Learning, 2002 37