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5 basic strategies for all tests and quizzes
1. Confirm time. Before starting a test or quiz, confirm how much time you have to complete it. It happens all the time—students think they have an hour to finish, but find out the hard way they have only 45 minutes. Listen for your teacher to tell you how much time you have to finish a test or quiz. Before starting the test, look at the clock in your classroom and note when time will be up. If your classroom clock is analog (that’s the kind with the big and little hands pointing to numbers) but you’re a digital kid, make sure you can recognize where the clock hands will be when time is running low. 2. Allocate time. When you begin a test, make a quick preview of the parts of the test to form a rough plan for the allocation of your time. If you have one hour to complete five short answer
Strategies for all tests and quizzes: 1. Confirm the amount of time. 2. Allocate time to test sections. 3. Know your teacher’s blanks policy. 4. Have test aids out and ready. 5. Review & proof.
questions, an essay and ten multiple choice questions, how will you allocate your time? Allocate by difficulty or by point value , but don’t spend 15 minutes of a 45 minute test struggling to answer a question worth 5 points, then short-change an essay worth 25 points. Keep track of time to make sure you are working according to your time allocation. Try to work at a pace that allows you 5-10 minutes at the end of the test to check answers and proof your writing. PRODUCT PREVIEW 3. Blanks policy. Confirm your teacher’s blanks policy before beginning the test or quiz. Unless specifically directed to do so by your teacher, do not leave an answer blank or you will lose points. 4. Test aids. If you are allowed to use a calculator, make sure it’s powered up and on your desktop. If your teacher allows you to use notes, or if the test is open book, have those items on your desk top. Mid-test is not the time to go digging through your backpack for them. 5. Proof your answers. Reserve time at the end of the test to check written responses for spelling, punctuation, grammar and clarity. Use proofing symbols to keep changes or additions to your answer neat and legible. ^ , called a caret , means to insert a letter, word or phrase. The symbol , drawn through a word or phrase means to delete the word or phrase. The word stet written next to something you have crossed out means “nevermind—leave it the way it was.” next to a word indicates that you are unsure of the spelling, and the symbol ¶ next to the beginning of a sentence indicates that you meant to start a new paragraph with that sentence.
THE 21st CENTURY STUDENT’S GUIDE TO STUDY SKILLS 175
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