Study Reading

Test Prep

& Test Taking Mrs. Kenny

Fall 2011

Think like a college student.

See the “bigger picture” of what this is all about.

Be an active reader!

1. Preview2. Skimming3. Active Reading4. Summarizing

PREVIEW (5 min.)

Read headlines and bolded wordsNotice any pictures/chartsRead questions at the end of the chapterRead the Summary or the last paragraphIdentify 1 main idea and 2 main points

schema/schemata = background knowledge

RELATE what you are learning or reading to what you already

know!

Make connections!

i.e. Mesopotamia, Neptune, etc.

Skimming (5 min.)

Read the first paragraph carefullyRead the first sentence in every following paragraphRead the last paragraphRe-read the summary.

Active Reading (20-30min.)

• Chunk the material into small parts

• Highlight, or mark with comments/ questions

• Take notes while you read• Make study cards while you

read

Comprehension is Key!

• Comprehension is the “holy grail” of reading….– What does that mean???

• Do you understand what you are reading?

When you don’t understand what you are reading, what strategies

should you use???

WORDS

Becoming Academically Successful

• Some people can skate their way through any academic situation.

• However, it is to your disadvantage to cram for a test the night before.

• Put the information in your brain well in advance and review it daily. You will learn naturally and never have to cram.

“I’m Just Gonna Pull an All-Nighter…”

• Pulling academic “all-nighters” puts your brain, your health, and your overall knowledge at risk.

Test Preparation• Take a sheet of paper out, Make 4 boxes

on the front of the page. • Number the boxes, and Answer the

following in each box: What should you do… 1. …a week before you know you have a test?2. …a day before you have a test?3. …the night before you have a test?4. …right before you have a test?

• Overlearn the information

• Visualize being successful

• Breathe…if nothing else, it increases the oxygen to your brain!

OVERCOMING TEST ANXIETY

Tackle Each Test!• Have a mental game plan for

how you will take the test:1. Complete the parts of the test

you are most sure of first…2. Then answer ones you are fairly

confident about…3. Then go back and answer the

ones you skipped.

Go With Your Gut!• Your first answer

is usually the correct one

• DON’T second-guess your answers