Taking Tests Handouts

Stages to Successful Test Taking

Test preparation starts not the night before the test when you're pulling out your book-and not even the week before the test when you start creating outlines and note cards. At your first encounter with new material, you are doing preliminary activities that will shape your exam preparation.

5-Day Study Plan

Reduce those long nights and late-night caffeine highs with this 5-day study plan. Spreading out your review over a few days will not only help your health--you'll actually remember more and feel more prepared.

Test Anxiety

Have trouble keeping your cool when it comes to exams? This guide will help you learn to stay calm and focused during your exams.

Active Study Strategies

Explore strategies to help you increase the amount you remember and help you better understand new information.

Test Preparation Links

Follow these links for resources on test preparation. Each of these sites offers learning resources appropriate for college-level learners. Please note that neither SPU nor the Center for Learning is responsible for contents on the following pages.

• Test Preparation

Six steps for basic review leading up to a test and a seven-day study plan.

http://success.oregonstate.edu/testprep.html

• Test-taking Strategies

Ten useful tips for Before the Test and ten tips for During the Test. A comprehensive site with links to explain complex suggestions.

http://www.bucks.edu/~specpop/tests.htm

• Self-Analysis

A comprehensive self-analysis tool to determine your test-taking strengths and weaknesses on multiple-choice exams. Where was your learning gap? Also includes a list of words to watch for in essay exams.

http://www.southwestern.edu/academic/acser-skills-teststr.html

• Follow the Directions

RAINS: A mnemonic to help you read directions and questions carefully.

http://coe.jmu.edu/learningtoolbox/rains.html

• Remember what you studied

SPORT: A mnemonic to help you remember what you studied when taking a test.

http://coe.jmu.edu/learningtoolbox/sport.html

• Emergency Test Preparation

We know that sometimes you just need to cram. Here's how to do it most effectively.

http://www.studygs.net/tstprpcrm.htm 

Test Anxiety Links

Follow these links for resources on test anxiety. Each of these sites offers learning resources appropriate for college-level learners. Please note that neither SPU nor the Center for Learning is responsible for contents on the following pages.

• Test Anxiety FAQs

Five FAQs regarding Test Anxiety and two methods for managing anxiety: Before the Exam and Day of the Exam.

http://www.utexas.edu/student/utlc/tc/acacou/2702faqtestanxiety.html

• Test Anxiety

BRAVE: Mnemonic devise to help you overcome nervousness when taking a test.

http://coe.jmu.edu/learningtoolbox/brave.html

• Complete your test on time

FLEAS: A mnemonic to help with completing tests on time.

http://coe.jmu.edu/learningtoolbox/fleas.html

 

Objective Test Links (ie. Multiple-Choice, T/F, Short-Answer)

Follow these links for resources on objective tests. Each of these sites offers learning resources appropriate for college-level learners. Please note that neither SPU nor the Center for Learning is responsible for contents on the following pages.

• Multiple Choice Tests

  CRAM: A mnemonic devise to help with multiple choice tests.

  http://coe.jmu.edu/learningtoolbox/cram.html

• Multiple Choice Practice Test

Try these multiple-choice practice questions and see how well you do by clicking on the feedback button beneath each question  (see the link at the bottum of the page for additional information on taking multiple choice tests).

http://www.coun.uvic.ca/learn/program/hndouts/mctest.html

• Tips on taking Multiple Choice Tests

Eight well-organized tips about preparing for and taking multiple choice tests.

http://www.socialpsychology.org/testtips.htm

• True/False Tests

SQUID: A mnemonic to help with True/False tests.

http://coe.jmu.edu/learningtoolbox/squid.html

Essay Test Links

Follow these links for resources on essay tests. Each of these sites offers learning resources appropriate for college-level learners. Please note that neither SPU nor the Center for Learning is responsible for contents on the following pages.

• The Essay Exam

  A PDF document with a well-written outline explaining how to prepare for an in-class or take-home Essay Exam.

  http://web.princeton.edu/sites/writing/Writing_Center/Handouts/EssayExams.pdf

   

• Taking an Essay Exam

A comprehensive guide to preparing for an Essay Exam with explanations of key question terms.

http://www.indiana.edu/~wts/pamphlets/essay_exam.shtml

 

• Preparing for Essay Style Exams

A comprehensive guide to preparing for an Essay Exam complete with Practice Questions.

http://www.yorku.ca/cdc/lsp/eponline/exam5.htm

 

• Essay Tests

RULE - WE: A mnemonic to help you with essay tests.

http://coe.jmu.edu/learningtoolbox/rulewe.html