Test Taking StrategiesTest Taking StrategiesTest Taking StrategiesTest Taking Strategies

Types of TestsTypes of Tests

2

Before Taking Any Test

• read the question carefully • try to answer the question before looking

at the given answers • do only the questions you know first• be sure to read all the choices even if

you feel sure of your answer • go with your first instinct, it is usually

correct • look elsewhere on your test for the

answer

3

Multiple Choice• allow 30 sec. per question• cross out the given answers you

know are wrong to narrow your choices

• wording of the question - "except", "but","is not", etc

• FORGET: when all else fails choose “C”

4

Fill-in-the-Blank• allow 30 sec. per question• if given a word bank, cross out the words

as you use them to narrow your choices • watch for "an" before a blank• watch for plurals • number of spaces given may help you in

deciding what word(s) to use • reread to see if it "sounds right" / makes

sense

5

Matching• allow 30 sec. per question• start with the easiest match • cross out the answers as you match

them to a statement • group answer words according to

categories to help narrow your choices • watch for plural statements - they

should match with plural answers

6

 True and False• allow 30 sec. per question• be sure to read the instructions carefully -

sometimes you may be asked to correct false statements to make them true

• capital T or F (no lowercase)• words like "most", "often", "usually",

"sometimes" or "rarely“• absolute words like "never", always",

"none", "only" or "all "

7

Essay• read the entire question carefully• read through all choices then pick the

question you know the most information about

• make an outline of your main ideas / key points before beginning the essay to help you organize your ideas

• present your strongest points first to make an immediate impact on the reader

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Essay cont.

• follow proper essay format: introduction, the body of the essay and a conclusion

• make sure your essay flows in a logical order

• print or write neatly so it is easy to read • reread your essay, making corrections to

spelling and word choice as necessary • if you do not know the answer, write

down as much as you can about the topic

9

Math• show all your work - you may get partial

value even if your final answer is wrong • make your answers neat and easy to read • line up you work • number your answers carefully • be sure your answer includes the correct

units (kilometers, liters, degrees, etc) • make your final answer stand out: circle it

or put a box around it

10

Math cont.

• difficulty remembering basic facts (+, -, x, ÷), be sure to use your calculator

• check over your work for careless mistakes • do the questions you are certain of how to do

first, then go back and try the more difficult ones

• even if you are not sure how to do a problem try it anyway, you may get some parts of it correct