Taking a test or an exam *

1. Guidelines to help you learn more efficiently:
   *NOTE: While there is no guarantee for an easy time on exams, there are some specific guidelines that students can follow which will help them learn more efficiently during exam time.
   • Start your review a week before your test/exam begins. Stay on a regular schedule: review, eat, sleep, and relaxation.
   • To retain material efficiently, DON'T attempt to study 24 hours a day.
   • Don't force yourself to study beyond your normal limits of concentration. Short and regular study periods are more productive than lengthy single sessions. Remember to take short breaks!
   • Eat a well balanced diet and drink lots of fluids. Excessive amounts of coffee may produce confusion and even disorganization of thought processes.
   • Don't use drugs or alcohol as they can decrease your ability to think clearly. Take medication only under supervision of a physician.
   • Be conservative and reasonable about the demands you place on yourself.

2. What is stress?
   Stress is an emotional/bodily reaction to physical, psychological or emotional demands.

   • Stress is a fact of life.
   • Managed stress can become useful and healthy (viewing events as challenges).
   • Unmanaged stress can become distressful and unhealthy (viewing events as threats).
   Causes of stress:
   • Expectations we place on ourselves.
   • Expectations of others place on us.
   • Physical environment: noise, movement, weather and seasonal changes.
   • Internal environment: academic pressure, frustration, time constraints, decisions, and social pressure.
   Symptoms of unmanaged stress:
   • Increased heart rate and blood pressure; feeling tense, irritable, fatigued, or depressed.
   • Having a lack of interest and/or ability to concentrate.
   Ways to manage stress effectively:
   • Avoid drugs, alcohol, and tobacco.
   • Add balance to life; don't overdo studies or play.
   • Know and accept your strengths and weaknesses.
   • Get a physical exam.
   • Take "time outs," especially during study.
   • Exercise regularly, walk and walk more.
   • Watch your breathing.
   • Learn and practice relaxation skills.
   • Study each subject regularly for moderate periods of time.
   • Discuss problems with friends, family, instructor or counselor.

3. Taking the test
   *Note: Before taking the test/exam use the following system: a) Memory-test your memory, b) Notes and Reading-asking/answering question, and c) Daily reviews one week before the test by asking what will be on the test "What kinds of Questions? Think of Sample Questions?"

   Taking an Essay Test
   • Know KEY words that help define, and explain.
   • "MAP" or outline your answer: 1st put down key vocabulary; 2nd use a time line, sequence, etc.
   • Put your BEST IDEAS FIRST and BACK UP WITH DETAILED EXAMPLES. Incorporate the question into your answer (restate the question).
   • Avoid "Filler", keep your answer short and to the point.
   • Appearance does count; use INK (erasable ink pens are a good idea).
   • Proofread (make sure you answered the question that was asked), check grammar, spelling, etc.
   Taking a Scantron test:
   • Use #2 Pencil.
   • Use a blank sheet of paper, (a straight -edge) to keep on the right answer line.
   • Double check answer lines WITH your straight edge.
   • NO UNANSWERED QUESTIONS!! NO BLANKS!!
   • ERASE completely and thoroughly when changing answers.
   • Is your NAME (or ID#) on the form?
   • NO DOUBLE answers (two answers on one line)
   • Do easiest questions first and NEVER LEAVE AN ANSWER BLANK!
   • Treat all tests as a vocabulary tests, note key words in both question & answers.
   • Translate KEY words into plain English.
   Answering a true (T) or false (F) question:
   • If the question uses an absolute word (All, None, etc.) answer (F) most of the time.
   • If the question uses a qualifier word [Some, Many, a Few "IF" and many "-ly" words (adverbs: usually, frequently, ect.)] answer (T) most of the time.
   • If one part of a T/F question is wrong, then the whole question is wrong (F).
   Answering the multiple-choice question:
   • MATCH "KEY" words in question to "KEY" words in the answers.
   • Turn a multiple-choice question into a T/F question by reading the "question part" with EACH "answer" separately.

   Example Question: Accumulated depreciation is reported on the
   A.) Balance Sheet (Ask ? Is the balance sheet where accumulated depreciation is reported? T/F)
   B) Income Sheet (Ask ? Is the income sheet where accumulated depreciation is reported? T/F)
   C) Statement of owner's equity (Ask ? Is the statement of owner's equity where accumulated depreciation is reported? T/F)
   

   • If the question states "All the Above" or "None of the Above", then the answer is rarely correct.
   • If the question states " A & B but not C?", then these are easy to check by process of elimination.
   Guessing (CAUTION!!!! - DO THIS ONLY WHEN OUT OF TIME!!)
   • OK to change answers, but if "Flipping a Coin", leave old answer.
   • Don't ever leave a blank on any test, because BLANK ANSWERS are ALWAYS WRONG!!
   • T/F question: guess (T).
   • Multiple-choice question: guess EITHER longest answer choice OR (B).
   Fill in the blank questions:
   • Use the context of the question as clues (Synonyms).
   • Look / Scan for other KEY words from previous questions.
   • BE sure the word you choose "FITS" into the sentence (it must make sense when you read the sentence with the word you chose).
   • Use single words (not Phrases) to help answer the question.

*NOTE: For most students, exam time is particularly stressful. Paradoxically, many students attempt to deal with this stress in ways that are counter productive or even self defeating; their behavior and attitudes tend to diminish their performance on exams rather than enhance it.