Test Taking
Become an A+ Test Taker
It's never too late to explore new exam taking strategies. Senior Career Advisor, James Bledsoe, shares his most valuable tips in the webinar below.
Webinar Highlights
- Study schedule and getting organized
- How to prepare for college tests
- Manage test anxiety
- Common test taking errors and how to avoid them
- Types of tests
- Avoiding burnout
General Tips on Test Taking
- Don't schedule appointments immediately after a test.
- Don't study right up until the test.
- Assess time.
- Carefully read instructions.
- Jot down any immediate answers or pieces of key information that comes to your mind.
- Answer questions worth the most points first.
- Ask the instructor about any questions that you may have about test directions.
Common Test Taking Errors and Solutions
Error |
Solution |
| Didn't follow test directions. | Take time to breath and calm yourself before the test so you can read directions carefully. |
| Didn't calculate how much time to spend on each question. | Try to figure out beforehand how many questions are on the exam. |
| Didn't read the questions carefully. | Stay confident and calm! Remember that you prepared for the exam and that you've got this! |
| Didn't understand a question. | Ask for clarification when you need it. Build a rapport with the professor during the term so you feel more confident about speaking up. |
| Wrote a lot but didn't answer the question. | Make your first two sentences count and be direct. |
| Answer was disorganized. | Take a moment and think about how you want to answer before you submit an answer. |
| Handwriting was illegible/poor grammar/careless errors. | Use spellcheck, slow down, and know the material well. |
| Didn't know the subject matter very well. | Study until you feel like you're an expert on the subject that you just studied. Practice lecturing the material to yourself or friends. |