1. Test Taking
• HOW TO TAKE TESTS

2. Problem Solving
• Use a diagram to visualize the problem
• Reread to highlight the information
• Estimate your answer
• Word backwards
• Watch for careless errors
Lesson 16 Test Taking Skills 2

3. Essay Exams
• Read all the questions carefully
• Plan the amount of time for each question
• Answer all the questions
• Answer the easiest questions first
• Write neatly
• Leave space between essays
• Pay attention to key words
Lesson 16 Test Taking Skills 3

4. Key Words
• COMPARE List similarities
• CONTRAST Stress differences
• CRITICIZE Express your judgment
• DEFINE Give concise clear meaning
• DESCRIBE Recount or relate in sequence
• DIAGRAM Give a drawing
• DISCUSS Analyze carefully
• ENUMERATE Write in list or outline form
Lesson 16 Test Taking Skills 4

5. Key Words
• EVALUATE Give both pros and cons
• EXPLAIN Clarify and interpret your answer
• ILLUSTRAT Use a figure, picture or drawing
E Give examples, solve, comment
• INTERPRET
Write in list or outline
• LIST Organize under main points
• OUTLINE
Lesson 16 Test Taking Skills 5

6. Writing the Essay
• Write down all the facts, ideas or points
• Number your points
• Be appealing and draw the reader in
• Put in the examples and illustrations
• Use transitions
• Chose precise words
• Use active rather than passive language
Lesson 16 Test Taking Skills 6

7. Writing the Essay
• Omit needless words.
• Vary your sentence patterns
• Have a very strong closing
Lesson 16 Test Taking Skills 7

8. Study Skills

9. Ways to Study
• Flashcards
• Ask someone to quiz you
• Read your notes
• Read notes aloud
• Highlight your notes
• Summarize
• Outline
• Graphic version of work (lists, columns, Venn diagrams…)
• Quiz yourself
• Rewrite Notes
• Worksheet as a quiz by covering over the answers and re-doing
• Look over old quizzes and assignments and correct
• Answer study guide question
• Teach it

10. Study Location
• Open, organized studying surface
– (large desk or table)
• Supplies (paper, pens,…)
• Quiet without distractions
• No Food
• Good Lighting
• Comfortable Furniture

11. Calm Attitude
• Be calm and patient with yourself as you review
– Beating yourself up will do no good.
• Try to open your mind as much as possible
• Putting other things aside
• Avoid frustration

12. Take Good Notes & Pay Attention

13. Lists
• Create two columns side by side
• One listing the common names
• Other listing the scientific names
• Covering up pieces of information

14. Flash Cards (modified list)
• Put one word/picture one side
• Definition on other side

15. Acronyms/Mnemonics:
• Acronyms
– Example
• HOMES
– Each of the letters in HOMES begins the name
of one of the Great Lakes (Huron, Ontario, etc.)
• Acrostic
– Example
• "Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally“
– parenthesis, exponents, multiplication, division,
addition, subtraction

16. Focus on most important first
• Hard subject/assignment first
– A student who receives A's in his
chemistry course may enjoy studying
chemistry (and can still benefit from it, of
course!) but if he is receiving C's or D's
in math or English, then it is more
pressing during the grading period to
study those other subjects. Assess your
strengths and weaknesses and
distribute your time accordingly.

17. Work with Others
• Study groups allow the student to use other
students to help
– Fill in missing gaps in notes or understanding
– Identify with each other's problems in the learning
process
– Quiz each other
– Teaching someone else material helps you to
learn
• Tutoring

18. Practice Essays
• Practice improves success