Exam Day: Survival Tips

Test-Taking
Part 2

During the Test

Read the Directions.

It's important that you follow the instructions exactly. For example, some questions may have more than one correct answer.

Answer easy questions first.

Doing this can jog your memory about useful facts. You may also come across information that can help you with other questions.

Answer every question.

Unless there is a penalty for wrong answers, try to answer every question: you may be able to get partial credit for those you begin but don't complete correctly.

Ask questions.

If a question isn't clear, talk to your teacher. If that's not possible, explain in the margin.

SQ3R

Question

As you survey the text, ask a question for each selection. Ask what, why, how, who and where questions as they relate to the content. Here's how you can create questions:

• Turn the title, headings or subheadings into questions.
• Rewrite the questions at the end of the chapter or after each subheading in your own words.

Write down your questions. Questions help you pay attention, understand the text better and recall the information more easier later on.

Read

Read one section of the chapter at a time, actively looking for an answer to your question in that section. Pay attention to bold and italicized text that authors use to make important points.

Be sure to review everything in the section, including tables, graphs and illustrations - these features can communicate an idea more powerfully that written text.