ASC

Study Skills Handout
Becoming More Test-Wise

The handout below is just one of the many handouts available at the Tutoring Center. If you are having trouble with study skills of any kind, or if you have questions about study skills that are not addressed here, stop in the Student Commons Building, Room 1300, at the Normal campus and talk to a tutor. He/she can provide additional handouts, help you recognize your strengths and weaknesses and help you formulate a plan to develop effective study strategies. To find out when tutors for various courses are available in Pontiac or Lincoln contact the receptionist in Pontiac (815-842-6777) or Lincoln (217-735-1731).

You Can Become More Test-Wise!

Just knowing the material for a test will not necessarily ensure that you will do well on that test. You also need to become test-wise -- to know how to play the game of taking tests successfully. Three main areas of test preparation need to be considered: physical, emotional, and intellectual.

Be Physically Prepared!

You need to be in top physical condition to do your very best in a test situation. We don’t mean you need to be able to run a marathon, but don’t handicap yourself by not being physically prepared. Although you would not do this intentionally, you are in effect handicapping yourself if you do not accomplish these physical tasks before a test.

1. Attend class -- each and every one. The worst class to skip is the one before the test. Never skip class in order to study more. Important reviews may take place right before the test session, so don’t miss them!

2. Ask questions -- These questions may include the type of test (objective or subjective), length of exam, time allowed, material covered, possible points and percentage of total grade, examples of test questions, and if any aids (e.g., pocket dictionary, calculator) may be used. These answers may influence the way that you will study.

3. Eat properly -- Don’t skip breakfast, and try to include some protein in the meal before your test. Give yourself "brain food."

4. Sleep properly -- Don’t skip study time to sleep, and don’t skip sleep time to study. Schedule each for its proper time. Don’t plan all-night study sessions. Sleeping seems to "cement" learning, or help your memory consolidate what you have studied. If you do not get an adequate amount of sleep, your spontaneity and originality may be hurt, and your level of anxiety may be heightened. Also, the worst to "party hardy" is the night before the test! You need a clear head and quick thinking ability to do your best on the test, and drinking will not help in either of those areas!

5. Study in a simulated test-taking atmosphere -- Try to make your study sessions like the real thing! Set time limits, sit at a desk, don’t allow interruptions, and don’t peek! Anxiety may be increased in a testing situation simply because it is so different than what you are used to.

6. Use a multi-sensory approach to studying -- Remember to use your eyes to see, but also your voice to recite, your ears to listen, and your hands to write the information you need to learn. The more ways you put the information in your mind, the better chance you have of it sticking!

Be Emotionally Prepared! (Test-Wiseness/Test Anxiety)

Now that you’re familiar with the physical aspects of test preparation, consider these emotional aspects:

1. Think positively -- Push for success, not just to avoid failure. Too many of us think as the little boy who reluctantly told his father, "Dad, I’m afraid I flunked that math exam."

   "Son, that’s negative thinking!" admonished his father. "Think positive!"

   "Then, Dad, I’m positive I flunked that test!" the son replied.

   Don’t dwell on the past or even what the future will bring. Think only of the opportunity created by this one test. A test is not a trial, but a chance to show what you know, and learn what you’ve missed. Use it to its full advantage.

2. Visualize a good grade -- Although this is similar to the suggestion above, it is so helpful that we want to include it separately. See an A+ paper in your mind. Tell yourself, "It will be just like me to ace this test!" Instead of putting yourself or your ability down, pump yourself up! These "positive affirmations" will make a big difference in your attitude and confidence!

3. Tie main ideas in with your life -- Try to apply the big ideas of what you have studied to your own situation. The more applicable you can make the information, the more apt you are to remember and benefit from it.

4. Avoid pre-test hall chatter -- Have you ever noticed the typical statements of students before they go in to take test? You hear things such as, "I didn’t study at all for this test! Did you?" or "I hope to goodness I don’t flunk this thing!" You don’t need to be exposed to this kind of talk! Whether you have studied enough or not, don’t erode what you do have!

5. Remember that some anxiety is helpful -- Although you can suffer from too much test anxiety, a little bit of nervousness will keep you alert and on top of things. Accept this as natural and helpful!

Be Intellectually Prepared!

Intellectual preparation for testing is the only area that many students feel has to be dealt with, but as we have discussed, physical and emotional preparation are essential also. However, adequate intellectual preparation for the test is absolutely crucial. Consider these vital components of intellectual preparation:

1. Review lecture and text notes weekly -- This vital weekly review has already been emphasized, but it cannot be stressed too much. This one step will make an enormous difference in how ready you feel for a test—and how prepared you really are! Also remember to study handouts, past assignments, previous tests, and make use of study guides if they are provided. As much as possible, try to organize your study notes with mnemonic systems, questions, highlighted vocabulary, etc.

2. Always study as for essay tests -- Many students tend to worry more about essay tests than objective tests. They feel that essay tests are harder, and in some respects they are because recall is necessary—not just recognition. Therefore, you should study for all tests as if they were essay, whether they are or not. Think in terms of main ideas, and recite questions and answers aloud. Force learning by recall, and all tests, whether they are essay or objective, will be easier and more beneficial.

3. Anticipate test questions -- Some ways to do this have already been mentioned in the previous paragraph, but also think about some other clues for your professor’s possible test questions. Information that was written on the board is usually a good resource. The teacher may have even told you during the lecture that certain information was important, or asked you to particularly note that section. You should have emphasized this in your notes in some way (such as a star, or a box). Material that is mentioned in both text and lecture are likely test questions. Don’t forget vocabulary words that are often in italics or boldface print! They make excellent matching questions. Review questions at the beginning or the end of clues to help you to anticipate test questions.

4. Understand question words -- This suggestion is especially crucial for success with essay tests. To be asked to diagram a concept is not the same as to explain it. To summarize does not mean to criticize. You cannot get full credit for an answer if you do not answer the question.

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