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Test taking is a skill; it can be learned just as well as the academic
subjects that the tests measure. These pages offer some good tips to
help your child develop this skill. Not every approach is appropriate
for every test situation, or for children of every age, but you and
your child will benefit from an overall knowledge of good test-taking
techniques. Go over these strategies with your child and work together
to adapt them to her individual learning style and situation.
To learn more, here are two excellent resources on the topic:
- Gilbert, Sara, How to Take Tests, William Morrow and Company,
Inc., New York, 1983.
- Gruber, Gary, Dr. Gruber's Essential Guide to Test Taking for
Kids, William Morrow and Company, Inc., New York, 1986.
Studying for the Test: Tips for the Student
- Begin studying soon after the school year starts. Keep organized
notes for review and keep up with homework.
- Listen for hints from the teacher about what'll be on a test.
Ask her for hints about where to concentrate your efforts.
- Determine the most important information in your study materials
and learn that first.
- Begin your intensive studying early in the afternoon or evening
before the day of the test.
- Develop a practice test, either alone or with a study mate. Before
you begin intensive studying, you may want to write a list of questions
that could appear on your test; this list can guide you through your
study. Or you might ask a friend to give you a practice test near
the end of your study to catch any items you may have overlooked.
- Use positive self-talk. Research shows that students who work on
their self-confidence as they study perform better than those who
don't. Thoughts such as "I'm well prepared and will do fine on
this test," for example, can help maintain a calm and clear mind.
- Gather all test-taking materials the night before. Having
to borrow a pencil right before the test can break your concentration
and get you off to a bad start.
- Don't stay up too late, and eat a good breakfast on the morning
of the test. You'll perform better with a rested mind and an energized
body.
Taking the Test
Step 1: Review the Test
- First and foremost, read the instructions very carefully and
follow the directions exactly. Missing something here can cost
you dramatically. For example, your instructions might say "Answer
one of the following two essay questions"; if you missed
those instructions, you could waste half your test-taking time writing
an unnecessary essay.
- Quickly read through the entire test, noting which questions
are most difficult, which count the most, and which you don't understand.
Then,
- Ask questions about anything you don't understand. If
you're shy, you may need to practice how to ask for clarification.
- Budget your time, allowing more time for essay questions.
("I'll spend 10 minutes on the true/false section, 20
minutes on the multiple choice, and 30 minutes on the essay.")
- Take a deep breath. It'll help you relax and think more clearly.
Step 2: Take the Test
- Write clearly.
- Answer the easiest questions first. Not only does this build
confidence, it's good time management.
- Go back to the more difficult questions, but don't spend too
much time on any one question until you've completed all of the others.
- Pay attention to clues and key words in each question. Some
options in multiple-choice questions, for instance, can often be eliminated
because they'd make the completed sentence grammatically incorrect.
- Put something down for every question, even if you don't know
the answer, unless instructed otherwise. You may know more than
you think you know. Note: You may be instructed, while taking standardized
tests, that incorrect answers will cost you more deductions than answers
you've left blank. Make sure you know the exact instructions for
each test and make your choice accordingly.
Step 3: Review
- Review every item on your test carefully before turning it in.
You may catch a careless error or have a last-minute insight.
- Use all the time allowed. The longer you review your answer,
the more chances you have to discover mistakes.
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