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Test-Taking Strategies
Test-Taking Strategies
TEST-TAKING STRATEGIES
The Goode-Pasfield Center for Learning & Teaching
Multiple Choice Tests
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Multiple Choice Tests
“Umbrella” Questions: Also known as
“fusion” questions, seem to have four
correct answers.
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Multiple Choice Tests
The correct answer is “B”, engine.
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The Answer Is…
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…and another
Which of the following is found in the U.S.?
a. Richmond
b. Roanoke
c. Lynchburg
d. Virginia
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And the Answer IS…
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Absolute Words
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The answer is “4”
Did you notice that choices 1, 2 and 3
contained the absolute words “all”, “no”, and
“never”. In general, absolute words limit too
many options to be good choices for an
answer.
The correct choice, however, was more
general – it contained the word “may”.
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Here is another example:
People with chronic
disease can be described
as:
a. Inevitably in pain
b. Always grouchy
c. Never able to walk
d. Needing more assistance
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The Answer is…
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What about unfamiliar words?
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Let’s take a look….
You are treating a patient with Kupe’s disease. When
comparing cotylenol to bitylenol, which of the following
would be the most appropriate intervention for this
patient?
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This requires more deductive reasoning…Look at
the clues in the scenario given.
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Here are the choices again..
a. Cotylenol is more appropriate
b. Bitylenol is more appropriate
c. Bitylenol is not as appropriate
d. Both a and b
• The answer can’t be “d” because you are asked to
choose between either cotylenol or bitylenol.
• The answer can’t be “a” or “c” because they say the
same thing
• That only leaves “b” as an answer, even though you
have no idea what “Kupes” disease is. No need to
freak out when you see unfamiliar terms!
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The more complex question asks you to:
Prioritize the answers in some order (most
important, best, last, first, initial, etc.);
Use deductive reasoning;
Also use your content knowledge;
Compare only the answers that are given
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True/False Tests:
Choose TRUE unless you know the statement is
FALSE;
For a statement to be TRUE, everything about
the statement must be TRUE;
Be careful when a statement has a negative such
as “not”, “do not”, or “in” (e.g. “infrequent”) and
“un” (e.g., “unfriendly”)
A negative can completely change the meaning of the
statement
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True/False Tests:
If a statement has two negatives, cross out both
negatives
This will make it easier for you to understand the
statement
It is never not a good idea to serve the people.
Absolute statements are usually FALSE
Absolute statements include words such as
All, every, never, no (Dogs are never bald.)
Qualified statements are usually TRUE
Qualified statements include terms such as
Some, most, sometimes, rarely (Some dogs are bald.)
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Answer these T/F questions:
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Matching Tests:
Read all the items in Make your best guess
both columns before for remaining items,
making any matches unless there is a
Start by making the penalty for guessing
matches about which
you are sure
Cross out items in both
columns as you make
matches
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Completion Tests:
Read the item and think about what is missing
Write an answer that logically completes the
item
Be sure your answer fits the item grammatically
Use the length of the line as a clue to the length
of the answer
Unless the length of the blank is the same for all
answers
After you write the answer, read the entire
answer to make sure it makes sense.
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Examples:
There were too many people coming into the
colony, and there was not enough
________,which led to many issues.
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QUOTE strategy for Essay tests
Q – Question
Look for direction (discuss, describe, explain)
U – Underline
Words that help focus on ideas to develop answers
O – Organize/Write
The facts & write your answer
T – Time
Decide how much time to spend on answering each item
E – Evaluate
The content & organization of what you wrote & your
mechanics
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QUOTE strategy for Essay Tests:
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