Preparing for and Writing Exams

1. Student Success Workshop: Preparing for and Writing Exams

2. DO YOU NEED HELP WITH ACADEMIC SKILLS? • MATH • WRITING • Come see Mary Trussler, Academic Skills Coordinator Take advantage of these FREE Services! Get helpful tips on: • Study Skills • Test Writing • Exam Preparation • Coping with Stress • Time Management CONTACT INFO Room 227 marytr@nipissingu.ca (705)645-2927 Ext. 7209 OFFICE HOURS (starting September 17th) Monday 9am-2pm Tuesday 4:30pm-8:30pm Wednesday 10am-3pm

3. During this Workshop we will explore: • Test Preparation • Test Taking • Coping with Test Anxiety

4. Test preparation • Content • Material and supplies • Physical • Mental

5. Quality Test Preparation • Go to class • Listen actively while in class • Take good notes in class • Read textbook actively • Create good textbook notes • Combine your class and text notes into: • Condensed notes (e.g. cue cards) • In your own words • Pictures and graphs • Study = practice test

6. Continuous process • Preview and read • Active listening • Review • Study sessions

7. Continuous preparation • This process should not be underestimated!

8. Learning styles • Visual? • Auditory? • Kinesthetic?

9. Cramming

10. Test Preparation • Don’t cram! • Rule of thumb: • ½ to 1 hr of studying for every 1% of test • e.g. 30% test = 15-30 hrs of study • Best memory? • Frequent but short study sessions

11. 2. Test Time!

12. Quick Quiz • There were 4 MC questions. How much was each MC question worth? • There were 2 short answer questions. • Did you have to answer both questions? • How much was each short answer question worth? •  Stat: • Only 20% will read and follow test directions!

13. Multiple Choice Questions 1. Biology is: • A type of rock • Is where animals are kept • Is the study of science • Is the study of life • None of the above • All of the above

14. Multiple Choice Questions 1. Biology is: • A type of science • Study animals, plants, cells

15. Multiple Choice Questions 1. Biology is: • A type of rock • Is where animals are kept • Is the study of science • Is the study of life • None of the above • All of the above

16. Multiple Choice Questions 1. Biology is: • A type of rock • Is where animals are kept • Is the study of science • Is the study of life • None of the above • All of the above Stuck? A) Don’t guess! B) Put a symbol C) Move on

17. Nipissing’s mascot is a: • Lumberjack - type fellow on the website

18. Multiple Choice Questions • Conestoga’s mascot is a: • Badger • Bear • Condor • Cougar • None of the above

19. Multiple Choice Questions • Which of the following is not a useful study tip when preparing for tests:

20. Multiple Choice Questions • Which of the following is not a useful study tip when preparing for tests: • Taking breaks during your study sessions • Planning your reading and studying schedule well ahead of the test date • Waiting until the last minute to cram so that you don’t forget anything you studied from a long time ago • Practicing frequently over time for short durations DO DO NOT DO

21. Multiple Choice Questions • Youmay have one of the following learning styles: • Which one do I have? • But it says styles with an ‘s’? • Hmmm…the question says may? • What does this question ask? • Think like the instructor!

22. Multiple Choice Questions • You may have one of the following learning styles: • Auditory • Visual • Kinesthetic • All of the above • None of the above

23. Multiple Choice Questions 1. Biology is: • A type of rock • Is where animals are kept • Is the study of science • Is the study of life • None of the above • All of the above Brainstorm: Science Bio Chem Physics

24. Strategies for Multiple Choice Cover the answer choices Read Q carefully Highlight important words (watch for qualifiers: may, some, none, all) Rephrase Q in your own words Predict possible answers Check format of answers Look at EACH option in order slowly Eliminate incorrect answers ID correct answer If can’t answer, put a symbol and come back later Don’t leave any answer blank!

25. Short and Long Answer • Tests: comprehension and application • Explain why and how your argument supports your answer • Include the right number (look at how much Q is worth) of specific details (examples and terminology) to support your answer • Answer all parts of the question (watch for ‘and’)

26. Short Answer Question • Compare and contrast multiple choice and short-answer test questions from the instructor’s perspective. (4 marks)

27. Short Answer Question • Compare and contrast multiple choice and short-answer test questions from the instructor’s perspective. (4 marks) • Compare = similarities • Contrast = differences • Instructors perspective = why would an instructor choose to use MC questions on a test? Why use short-answer questions?

28. Short Answer Question • Compare and contrast multiple choice and short-answer test questions from the instructor’s perspective. (4 marks)

29. Essay/short answer strategy • Read • Underline, highlight • Key words • Plan an outline • Vocabulary • Standard format • Proofread

30. About open book exams • Not easy • Prepare • Up close and personal • Organization

31. Open book preparation • Coding system • Index • Chapter summaries • Overview or mind maps • Concise notes • Sticky notes • Vocabulary lists • Comments • Index cards

32. Open book strategy • Review • Order • Read • Outline • Move on • Concise answers • Quotations • Content • Buzzwords • Breathe deeply

33. General Test-Taking Strategies • Put your name on all pages of the test • Memory dump • Preview your test • # pages, # Qs, Q types • Read and follow directions! • Allot time by weight of questions • Read each Q carefully • Watch for qualifiers (always, not, none, some) • Underline key words; define • Rephrase Q in your own words

34. Nervous About Exams?

35. The major problem … negative effect on our ability to think • “going blank” or “freezing” • block thought processes

36. 3 Strategies • Change Your Thinking • Relaxation Techniques • Effective Study Techniques

37. We all talk to ourselves

38. How could you change this statement? • I have to get a 70 on this exam.

39. How does this sound? I know that I’ve done my best to study. If I put too much pressure on myself it can backfire so, as much as I want a 70, all I can do is my best.

40. Relaxation Techniques • Drink water • Jump-start your brain • Polarize your breathing • The Big Rocks

41. Effective Study Techniques • Study Early • Be Prepared • Deal with Distractions • Test Taking Strategy

42. Test Taking Strategies • Prepare • Get enough sleep • Eat well • Protein: eggs, bacon, peanut butter, cheese, yogurt, tofu • Be on TIME! • Answer questions that you know • Breathing and relaxation exercises • Do your best!

43. DO YOU NEED HELP WITH ACADEMIC SKILLS? • MATH • WRITING • Come see Mary Trussler, Academic Skills Coordinator Take advantage of these FREE Services! Get helpful tips on: • Study Skills • Test Writing • Exam Preparation • Coping with Stress • Time Management CONTACT INFO Room 227 marytr@nipissingu.ca (705)645-2927 Ext. 7209 OFFICE HOURS (starting September 17th) Monday 9am-2pm Tuesday 4:30pm-8:30pm Wednesday 10am-3pm

44. Wise words … • “Confidence comes from being prepared”. John Wooden • “Ability is what you’re capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it”.Lou Holtz