Test Taking

Preparing For Exams

• Questions to Ask About the Exam (10 days prior to the exam):

  1. Where will questions be taken from:
     
     text, lecture, lab, supplemental readings, in-class videos, etc.?
     
     
  2. What type of questions will the exam consist of:
     
     true/false; multiple choice; matching; fill-in-the-blank; short answer; essay?
     
     
  3. What kind of thinking will the questions contain:
     
     factual; examples; situations; comparison/contrast; cause/effect; problem/solution; etc.?
     
     

• Advance Preparation (7 days prior to the exam)

  1. Be sure textbook chapters have been read. Reread chapter summaries.
     
     
  2. Be sure lecture notes are complete.
     
     
  3. Identify any confusing information and seek clarification.
     
     
  4. Review previous exams and/or quizzes.

(Note: If you’re taking the exam for the first time, ask if there are exams on file you can look at. If that’s not possible, ask the instructor to provide sample questions. If you have already taken an exam in the course, ask if you can review your exam so you can try to determine the reason(s) for incorrect answers.)

• Studying for the Exam (5-7 days prior to the exam)

  Note: Reading is reading. Studying is studying. Studying is not “looking over” the text again.

1. Identify the major topics that will be included on the exam.
   
   Topics can be taken from your syllabus or your text (chapter titles). After identifying major topics, divide them into subtopics. Take special note of information in your text that was also discussed in lecture as well as any other information emphasized in lecture.
   
   
2. Choose an appropriate study method.
   
   There are many study methods to choose from such as creating outlines or concept maps, drawing diagrams or charts, making flash cards, and writing summaries. Be sure the strategy you choose matches the type of material you are studying and the type of questions that will be on the exam. For example, writing a summary would be a useful study strategy for answering essay questions in history but not as effective for answering true/false or multiple-choice questions in sociology.
   
   
3. Study according to the kind of thinking that will be required on the exam.
   
   To maximize your chances for success, keep in mind the kind of thinking that will be expected of you. For example, when studying vocabulary terms for a psychology exam, students often study only the definitions, but exam questions require them to know examples of the terms and/or apply them to situations.
   
   Remember: The closer the match between the way you study and the way you are tested, the more likely you are to succeed.
   
   
4. Review the information over several days.
   
   Space your studying over several days. Many short study sessions produce better results than one long one.