preparing for and writing exams

Preparing for and Writing Exams

Student Success Workshop:

Come see Mary Trussler, Academic Skills Coordinator

OFFICE HOURS (starting September 17th)Monday 9am-2pmTuesday 4:30pm-8:30pmWednesday 10am-3pm

CONTACT INFORoom 227marytr@nipissingu.ca(705)645-2927 Ext. 7209

DO YOU NEED HELP WITH ACADEMIC SKILLS?• MATH • WRITING •

Get helpful tips on: • Study Skills • Test Writing• Exam Preparation• Coping with Stress • Time Management

Take advantage of these FREE Services!

During this Workshop we will explore:1. Test Preparation2. Test Taking3. Coping with Test Anxiety

1. Test preparationContentMaterial and suppliesPhysicalMental

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Quality Test PreparationGo to classListen actively while in classTake good notes in classRead textbook activelyCreate good textbook notesCombine your class and text notes

into:Condensed notes (e.g. cue cards) In your own wordsPictures and graphs

Study = practice test

Continuous processPreview and readActive listeningReviewStudy sessions

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Continuous preparation

This process should not be underestimated!

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Learning stylesVisual?Auditory?Kinesthetic?

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Cramming

Test PreparationDon’t cram!Rule of thumb:

½ to 1 hr of studying for every 1% of test

e.g. 30% test = 15-30 hrs of studyBest memory?

Frequent but short study sessions

2. Test Time!

Quick Quiz1. There were 4 MC questions. How much was

each MC question worth?

2. There were 2 short answer questions.a) Did you have to answer both questions?b) How much was each short answer question worth?

 Stat:Only 20% will read and follow test directions!

Multiple Choice Questions1. Biology is:

a) A type of rockb) Is where animals are keptc) Is the study of scienced) Is the study of lifee) None of the abovef) All of the above

Multiple Choice Questions1. Biology is:

A type of scienceStudy animals, plants, cells

Multiple Choice Questions1. Biology is:

a) A type of rockb) Is where animals are keptc) Is the study of scienced) Is the study of lifee) None of the abovef) All of the above

Multiple Choice Questions1. Biology is:

a) A type of rockb) Is where animals are keptc) Is the study of scienced) Is the study of lifee) None of the abovef) All of the above

Stuck? A) Don’t guess! B) Put a symbol C) Move on

2. Nipissing’s mascot is a:

Lumberjack - type fellow on the website

Multiple Choice Questions2. Conestoga’s mascot is a:

a) Badgerb) Bearc) Condord) Cougare) None of the above

Multiple Choice Questions3. Which of the following is not a useful study

tip when preparing for tests:

Multiple Choice Questions3. Which of the following is not a useful study

tip when preparing for tests:a) Taking breaks during your study sessionsb) Planning your reading and studying schedule

well ahead of the test datec) Waiting until the last minute to cram so that

you don’t forget anything you studied from a long time ago

d) Practicing frequently over time for short durations

DO

DO

DONOT

Multiple Choice Questions4. You may have one of the following learning

styles:

Which one do I have?But it says styles with an ‘s’?Hmmm…the question says may?What does this question ask?

Think like the instructor!

Multiple Choice Questions4. You may have one of the following learning

styles:a) Auditoryb) Visualc) Kinestheticd) All of the abovee) None of the above

Multiple Choice Questions1. Biology is:

a) A type of rockb) Is where animals are keptc) Is the study of scienced) Is the study of lifee) None of the abovef) All of the above

Brainstorm: Science Bio Chem

Physics

Strategies for Multiple Choice

1. Cover the answer choices2. Read Q carefully3. Highlight important words (watch

for qualifiers: may, some, none, all)4. Rephrase Q in your own words5. Predict possible answers6. Check format of answers7. Look at EACH option in order

slowly8. Eliminate incorrect answers9. ID correct answer10.If can’t answer, put a symbol and

come back later11.Don’t leave any answer blank!

Short and Long AnswerTests: comprehension and applicationExplain why and how your

argument supports your answerInclude the right number (look at

how much Q is worth) of specific details (examples and terminology) to support your answer

Answer all parts of the question (watch for ‘and’)

Short Answer QuestionCompare and contrast multiple choice and

short-answer test questions from the instructor’s perspective. (4 marks)

Short Answer QuestionCompare and contrast multiple choice and

short-answer test questions from the instructor’s perspective. (4 marks)

Compare = similaritiesContrast = differencesInstructors perspective = why would an

instructor choose to use MC questions on a test? Why use short-answer questions?

Short Answer QuestionCompare and contrast multiple choice and

short-answer test questions from the instructor’s perspective. (4 marks)

MC Questions SA Questions

Compare (similarities)

*Tests student knowledge

*Tests student knowledge

Contrast(differences)

*Tests lower-level understanding (e.g. cued recall)

*Easier to mark

*Tests deeper level understanding and comprehension (e.g. analysis & application)*More difficult and time-consuming to mark

Essay/short answer strategy

ReadUnderline, highlightKey wordsPlan an outlineVocabularyStandard formatProofread

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About open book examsNot easyPrepare Up close and personalOrganization

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Open book preparationCoding systemIndexChapter

summariesOverview or mind

maps

Concise notesSticky notesVocabulary listsCommentsIndex cards

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Open book strategyReviewOrderReadOutlineMove on

Concise answersQuotationsContentBuzzwordsBreathe deeply

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General Test-Taking StrategiesPut your name on all pages of the testMemory dumpPreview your test

# pages, # Qs, Q typesRead and follow directions!Allot time by weight of questions Read each Q carefully

Watch for qualifiers (always, not, none, some)

Underline key words; defineRephrase Q in your own words

3.Nervous About Exams?

The major problem …negative effect on our ability to

think

“going blank” or “freezing” block thought processes

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3 StrategiesChange Your ThinkingRelaxation TechniquesEffective Study Techniques

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We all talk to ourselves

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How could you change this

statement? I have to get a 70 on this exam.

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How does this sound?

I know that I’ve done my best to study. If I put too much pressure on myself it can backfire so, as much as I want a 70, all I can do is my best.

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Relaxation TechniquesDrink waterJump-start your brainPolarize your breathingThe Big Rocks

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Effective Study Techniques

Study EarlyBe PreparedDeal with DistractionsTest Taking Strategy

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Test Taking StrategiesPrepare• Get enough sleep • Eat well

Protein: eggs, bacon, peanut butter, cheese, yogurt, tofu

• Be on TIME!• Answer questions that you knowBreathing and relaxation exercisesDo your best!

Come see Mary Trussler, Academic Skills Coordinator

OFFICE HOURS (starting September 17th)Monday 9am-2pmTuesday 4:30pm-8:30pmWednesday 10am-3pm

CONTACT INFORoom 227marytr@nipissingu.ca(705)645-2927 Ext. 7209

DO YOU NEED HELP WITH ACADEMIC SKILLS?• MATH • WRITING •

Get helpful tips on: • Study Skills • Test Writing• Exam Preparation• Coping with Stress • Time Management

Take advantage of these FREE Services!

Wise words …“Confidence

comes from being prepared”.

John Wooden

“Ability is what you’re capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it”. Lou Holtz

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