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How to Take Tests 3 Using Concepts,

Procedures, and Rules

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Test Taking Strategies

In actually taking a test, it is useful to identify a group of problems which require similar or the same procedure(s)

Solve the entire group before going on to other questions

This allows your mind to concentrate and get into a pattern of applying the procedure

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Remember Level Tests

In taking Remember-level tests, try to answer the questions that relate to a single subject as a group.

Remember-level testing is created by producing a question (called a stem) which has an answer (called a root).

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Remember Level Tests

Remember level tests usually cover material taught during the last three months

Teachers try to avoid using direct quotes from the material studied, as this would reward short term memory

Instead, they paraphrase the material

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Remember Level Tests

The stem or question is usually a direct question without negatives or hidden meaning. The answer should also be straight and direct. Frequently, the teacher will reuse stems (questions) and roots

(answers) in a single test.

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Sometimes they will actually give you the answer if they have switched the root and stem in two different questions.

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Diagnostic Tests

A diagnostic test is designed to see why a certain criterion has not been achieved

The diagnostic test determines what material the teacher needs to concentrate on

Some teachers combine both criterion-based and diagnostic questions in a single test

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Use Level Tests

In taking Use-level tests, your biggest problem is to identify what kind of questions or category of problem is being asked so the appropriate procedure can be applied. Of course, you need to have memorized all the procedures to be tested.

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Test Strategies

If you are aware of a procedure you haven’t fully mastered, it is often a good idea to review it just before the test starts. Then write down the procedure on the test itself once the test has started.

 

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Test Strategies

Remember, you should consider the answer as something appropriate to the question. Be suspicious of easy answers to difficult questions.  

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Test Strategies

Take particular care when evaluating answers to consider what your teacher deems important.

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A Little Insight

Five questions teachers ask themselves before writing a test What is the purpose of this test? What time constraints have to be considered? What learning processes are to be evaluated? What emphasis should each topic and level of

learning be given? What types of items are best for this testing situation?

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