Improving Your Improving Your Performance on Exams Performance on Exams and Tests and Tests
May 13, 2015
Improving Your Improving Your Performance on Exams and Performance on Exams and
TestsTests
Getting Prepared for Tests and Getting Prepared for Tests and ExamsExams
• Prepare physically• Get enough sleep, eat right, and follow your regular
exercise regime
• Prepare emotionally• Know the material, practice relaxing, and use
positive self-talk
• Prepare for test-taking• Find out about the test, design an exam plan, and
join a study group
• Prepare for math and science exams• Do homework regularly and attend each class
• Create a review guide throughout the term
Your TurnYour Turn
Are there times when you engage in negative predictions about your academic performance? What do you think causes you to be so hard on yourself? Do you think that changing your predictions could change your performance? Why or why not? How can you reverse your thinking and compliment yourself on your work?
Taking Tests and ExamsTaking Tests and Exams• Essay questions• Budget your exam time and create a brief outline
of your answers
• Multiple-choice questions• Take advantage of key words
• Fill-in-the-blank questions
• True/false questions• Every detail must be true for the statement to be
true
• Matching questions• Review all terms and descriptions before
answering any questions
Your TurnYour Turn
Do you think that essay exams are more appropriate in upper-level courses and multiple-choice exams are more appropriate in first-year courses? Why or why not?
Types of TestsTypes of Tests
• Problem-solving tests
• Machine-scored tests
• Computerized tests
• Laboratory tests
• Open-book/open-note tests
• Take-home tests
Overcoming Test AnxietyOvercoming Test Anxiety• Types of test anxiety• Standardized tests vs. classroom tests
• Tests at a computer terminal
• Subject-specific
• Symptoms of test anxiety• Butterflies in the stomach, queasiness or nausea,
headaches, faster heartbeat, hyperventilating, shaking,
sweating, or muscle cramps
• Strategies for combating test anxiety• Take long, deep breaths, stretch your muscles
• Sit with shoulders back and relaxed
• Getting the test back• Review your graded test and evaluate your own
knowledge
Your TurnYour Turn
Do you experience any type of test anxiety? If so, what causes you to be anxious? If not, what strategies do you use to stay calm?
Your TurnYour Turn
What actions do you take when you look at graded tests? Take a look at an exam you got back in one of your classes. What can you learn from it? Would you challenge an instructor if you thought he or she had made a mistake in your grade? Why or why not?
Academic Honesty and Academic Honesty and MisconductMisconduct
• Cheating• Includes looking over a classmate’s shoulder, using a
calculator when it is not authorized, obtaining or
discussing an exam without permission, copying notes
• Plagiarism• Taking another person’s ideas or work and presenting
them as your own
• Consequences of cheating and plagiarism• Suspension or expulsion
• College degrees revoked
• Reducing the likelihood of academic dishonesty
Tech Tip: Fear Not the Tech Tip: Fear Not the Online TestOnline Test
Tips for taking an online test
• Don’t wait until the last minute to study
• Get organized
• Resist the temptation to surf the Web for
answers
• Don’t get distracted
• Budget your time
• Tackle easy questions first
• Beware of losing your Internet connection
mid-test