Hannum's Reading and 
Study Skills Tips and Strategies
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TEST-TAKING STRATEGIES

  General Tips

1. If you can sit anywhere, sit where you won't be distracted--not by the door.
2. Look over the whole test before you start.
3. Budget your time--spend the most time on the questions worth the most points.
4. Read the directions carefully and underline the important direction words.
5. Start with the easiest questions.
6. Some questions may have the answers to other questions or information that will remind you of the answers to more difficult questions or essay questions
7. See the test as a contest--go in with a good attitude-PSYCH YOURSELF
8. Use an erasable pen. A sloppy paper will usually get a lower grade than a neat one. 

Objective Tests

1. Before you start, find out if there is a penalty for guessing and if you can choose more than one answer.
2. Read the questions and all possible answers carefully.
3. Be especially careful about questions with the choices " all of the above " and "none of the above".
4. Underline key words and qualifiers such as Never, Always, and so on.
5. Answer all of the questions you know first.
6. Make a mark next to those you can't answer so you can go back to them later.
7. After you complete the questions you know, go back and reread the ones you didn't answer the first time.
8. If there is no penalty for guessing, make sure you answer all questions, even if you have to guess blindly.
9. If there is a penalty for guessing, you usually should guess if you can eliminate one of the choices.
10. If you have time, check over the exam. Change an answer only if you can think of a good reason to do so . Generally you're better off if you stick with your first choice. NEVER LEAVE QUESTIONS BLANK!
11. If you still can't answer a question the second time through, here are some strategies to try:
12. Multiple choices--Read the question; then stop and try to think of an answer. Look to see if one of the choices is similar to your answer. If you are not sure of the answer, read all of the choices before you make a decision. eliminate any wrong answers-- cross them out. Reread the question with each remaining choice. Be aware of answers that are only partially correct. Check grammar and usage--some answers can be eliminated with "an" instead of "a", plurals, capital letters, etc. Make a complete sentence from the question and each choice and ask if it is true. If it is true, then that is the answer. After you have finished the test, go back and do the hard ones, you may have remembered now, if not then guess. If you have no idea, choose all of the above or the longest choice. The word NOT is a booby trap; be careful. Words like generally, often, frequently, usually, seldom or sometimes FREQUENTLY occur in the correct choice.
13. True-False--Read carefully- just one word can make a big difference. Pay attention to words like all, never, always, only, best and entirely. These are usually true statements. The words seldom, sometimes, often, frequently, must, many, few, some, usually, generally and ordinarily are GENERALLY TRUE statements. Read the whole statement first. If a part of the statement is false, the whole statement is false. Don't change an answer unless you are SURE it is wrong. When in doubt, guess. If you have no idea, think true. If it is a long statement it probably is true. The word NOT is a booby trap; be careful!
14. Matching-- Look at all of the items before you start. Work your way down one list. Don't switch back and forth. Do the easy items first to narrow the other choices. If you are unsure, try different pairs of answers and choose the best one.
15. Fill-in-the-blank--Read very carefully. Answer easy questions first, then go back to the hard ones. Look for context clues-clues in the sentence above or below usually for the meaning. Find the answers that fit grammatically. Look for language clues "a", "an" etc. On questions that you don't know, take a good guess-- don't leave any blanks unless errors are deducted from the total grade. Substitute the remaining answer choices in the sentence.
16. Essay--Answer the question worth the most points first. Read through all the questions carefully. Mark the important direction words that tell you what you're to do: compare- show how 2 things are alike and different; contrast-show
17. The differences; describe-show the features of something; define- tell what it means; discuss- tell about and analyze; explain- tell how, what, or why; analyze-examine by discussing the parts; comment-state your views; develop- follow the first point to the last point; evaluate-give your opinion; illustrate-explain or clarify an idea; interpret-explain the meaning of; justify-state why; relate- show how things are related; state-present main points; trace- follow the progress or summarize-give the main points. Number the parts of the question so you don't forget to answer all of them. Take time to try to understand what the question is asking. Don't jump to conclusions because you see a familiar word or two. As you read through the questions, briefly jot down ideas that come into your mind. Make a short outline before you write. Make sure you're answering what the question is asking. Restate and answer the question in the first sentence of the essay. Support each topic with examples and facts. Write a concluding sentence. Proofread your answer. Think of your response as a mini-report. Don't spend so much time on one question that you don't have time for other questions. Make sure you have answered ALL PARTS of the question. Put a check mark next to each part of the question you answered. If you run out of time, quickly jot down answers to the questions. List the information without worrying about complete sentences For short answer essays, focus on your opening and closing sentences.
18. Math--To study, practice a problem or two from each section. Check your work with your homework that you did on that page to see if you are correct and understand it. If you confuse plus and minus signs, circle the sign before you begin working or darken the sign so it stands out. If you get your columns mixed up, circle the problem number so you don't use this as part of the problem, then draw vertical lines on your paper and put one number in each column 3/ 4/ 5/ or cover all the columns except the one your working on. If you usually copy the problems wrong, then proofread or say the numbers aloud when you write them. For word problems, read the problem twice before you try to work it out. Read it aloud to yourself if possible. Draw a picture of the problem if you can. Cross out lightly unnecessary information. Circle all remaining numerals and their units, underline the question, then reword it. Decide on the operation and make an estimate. Check your work. Word clues that mean add-sum, add, total, plus, in all, both, together, increased by, all together. Subtraction words-subtract, difference, take away, less than, are not, remain, decreased by, have left, change $, how much more, fewer. Multiply-times, product of, multiplied by, by (size). Division- quotient of, divided by, half fraction) as much, split, separated, cut up, parts, sharing something equal.
19. If the test has a combination of questions, read the essay questions first and then go to the true-false, matching or fill-in-the-blank sections and complete them. Often these kinds of questions contain information that can be used later when you do the essay questions. By previewing the essay questions and not answering them right away, your mind will be thinking about the answer.
20. If you blank out during a test-- RELAX, move on to other questions, fold the paper so you only see what you're working on.
21. Don't be afraid to ask questions.
22. REMEMBER: IT'S NOT WHAT YOU KNOW THAT EARNS YOU A GRADE; IT'S WHAT YOU LET THE TEACHER KNOW THAT YOU KNOW!!!!!!!!!