Habits for Success
CHAPTER 10
Test-Taking I: Test Preparation and Objective Tests Keys to Effective Learning, 6e Carol Carter, Joyce Bishop, and Sarah Lyman Kravits
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Habits for Success
Habit for success:
Take responsible risks. “Responsible risk takers do not behave impulsively. Their risks are educated. They draw on past knowledge, are thoughtful about consequences, and have a welltrained sense of what is appropriate.” Art Costa Keys to Effective Learning 6e,Ch10
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Habits for Success
How can preparation improve test performance?
Keys to Effective Learning 6e,Ch10
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Habits for Success
Taking a test is a risk. Preparing well makes it a responsible risk.
Keys to Effective Learning 6e,Ch10
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Habits for Success
Being a dedicated student is your best preparation Basics go a long way: • Attend class • Stay on top of assignments • Participate in discussions • Review notes weekly Keys to Effective Learning 6e,Ch10
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Habits for Success
Be responsible for your success • Find out about test type and coverage • Create and follow a study schedule • Review notes and readings using SQ3R and critical thinking • Take a pretest • Get sleep and eat right Keys to Effective Learning 6e,Ch10
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Habits for Success
If you have to cram… • Focus only on crucial concepts. • Create a last-minute study sheet. • Set a couple of alarms so that you don’t miss the test. • Arrive early and review your study sheet. • Be determined not to get behind next time! Keys to Effective Learning 6e,Ch10
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Habits for Success
How can you work through test anxiety?
Keys to Effective Learning 6e,Ch10
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Habits for Success
Solid preparation is the best defense against test anxiety. Knowledge helps you feel in control.
Keys to Effective Learning 6e,Ch10
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Habits for Success
To ease anxiety at test time:
• See tests as checkpoints, not contests. • Practice relaxation. • Practice positive self-talk. • Don’t expect perfection. • Remind yourself of how the test powers your long-term goals. Keys to Effective Learning 6e,Ch10
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Habits for Success
What general strategies add to test success?
Keys to Effective Learning 6e,Ch10
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Habits for Success
Test success strategies • • • • • • • • •
Choose a good seat. Write down key facts. Get a test overview. Read directions. Mark up questions. Work from easy to hard. Watch the clock. Guess strategically. Don’t cheat — it isn’t worth it. Keys to Effective Learning 6e,Ch10
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Habits for Success
How can you master objective test questions?
Keys to Effective Learning 6e,Ch10
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Habits for Success
Sample multiple-choice question What units are bonded together to make a strand of DNA? a. chromatids b. cells c. enzymes d. nucleotides e. proteins [answer: d] From chapter 13 in Biology: A Guide to the Natural World, 2nd edition. Prentice Hall, 2002.
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Habits for Success
Sample true/false question
The United States initially supported Vietnamese independence. [answer: false]
From chapter 29 in Western Civilization: A Social and Cultural History, 2nd edition. Prentice Hall, 2003.
Keys to Effective Learning 6e,Ch10
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Habits for Success
Sample matching questions 1. Chicken 2. Rice 3. Olive oil
A. Fat B. Protein C. Carbohydrate
[Answers: 1 – B, 2 – C, 3 – A]
Keys to Effective Learning 6e,Ch10
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Habits for Success
Sample fill-in-the-blank question Mike has just graduated from college and is now looking for a job, but he has not yet found one. This causes the employment rate to _____ and the labor-force participation rate to ________. a. b. c. d.
increase; decrease increase; increase stay the same; stay the same increase; stay the same [answer: c]
From chapter 6 in Macroeconomics: Principles and Tools, 3rd edition. Prentice Hall, 2003.
Keys to Effective Learning 6e,Ch10
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Habits for Success
How can you learn from test mistakes?
Keys to Effective Learning 6e,Ch10
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Habits for Success
Don’t throw it away! Test mistakes are a tool for success They can help you… • Identify problems with how or what you studied • Look carefully at test-taking issues such as working too fast or skipping questions • Understand where your essay writing needs developing Keys to Effective Learning 6e,Ch10
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Habits for Success
Real People Take Responsible Risks
Carla Baku
Keys to Effective Learning 6e,Ch10
© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
Habits for Success
“A winning effort begins with preparation.” Joe Gibbs
Keys to Effective Learning 6e,Ch10
© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.