essay on test taking strategies

Essay Test Preparation Tips and Strategies

Essay test questions can be very intimidating, but they can also be very rewarding. Unlike other types of exams (i.e., multiple choice, true or false, etc.) essay tests allow you develop an answer based on your understanding or knowledge.

If you’ve studied all semester, understand the course concepts, and have reviewed prior to the test, the following strategies can help you improve your performance on essay tests and exams.

Strategies to Help You Improve Your Performance on Essay Tests and Exams

Read the directions.

Reading the directions seems so obvious. Unfortunately, it’s still one of the biggest test taking mistakes students make. Before answering an essay question, thoroughly read the instructions. Do not jump to the answer without being sure of what exactly the question is asking. In many cases, the teacher is looking for specific types of responses. Never assume you know what is being asked, or what is required, until you’ve read the entire question.

Ask for clarification

Read essay questions in their entirety before preparing an answer. If the instructions are unclear, or you simply don’t understand a question, ask the teacher for clarification. Chances are if you’re confused so is someone else. Never be scared to ask for clarification from your teacher or instructor.

Provide detail

Provide as many details and specific examples when answering an essay question as you can. Teachers are usually looking for very specific responses to see whether or not you’ve learned the material. The more relevant detail you provide, the higher grade is likely to be. However, only include correct, accurate and relevant information. Including irrelevant “filler” that doesn’t support your answer will likely lower your grade.

Budget your time

Manage your time wisely when answering essay questions so you are able answer all the questions, not just the easy or hard ones. If you finish your test before time is up, go back and review your answers and provide additional details.

We recommend answering those essay questions you’re most familiar with first and then tackling more challenging questions after. It’s also not uncommon on essay tests for some questions to be worth more than others. When budgeting your time, make sure to allocate more time to those questions that are worth the most.

Follow the instructions

When a question is only requiring facts, be sure to avoid sharing opinions. Only provide the information the instructions request. It’s important to provide an answer that matches the type of essay question being asked. You’ll find a list of common types of essay questions at the bottom of this page.

In your answers, get to the point and be very clear. It is generally best to be as concise as possible. If you provide numerous facts or details, be sure they’re related to the question. A typical essay answer should be between 200 and 800 words (2-8 paragraphs) but more isn’t necessarily better. Focus on substance over quantity.

Write clearly and legibly

Be sure your essays are legible and easy to understand. If a teacher has a difficult time reading or understanding what you’ve written, you could receive a lower score.

Get organized

Organize your thoughts before answering your essay question. We even recommend developing a short outline before preparing your answer. This strategy will help you save time and keep your essay organized. Organizing your thoughts and preparing a short outline will allow you to write more clearly and concisely.

Get to the point – Focus on substance

Only spend time answering the question and keep your essays focused. An overly long introduction and conclusion can be unnecessary. If your essay does not thoroughly answer the question and provide substance, a well developed introduction or conclusion will do you no good.

Use paragraphs to separate ideas

When developing your essay, keep main ideas and other important details separated with paragraphs. An essay response should have three parts: the introduction; the body; and the conclusion. The introduction is typically one paragraph, as is the conclusion. The body of the essay usually consists of 2 to 6 paragraphs depending on the type of essay and the information being presented.

Go back and review

If time permits, review your answers and make changes if necessary. Make sure you employed correct grammar and that your essays are well written. It’s not uncommon to make silly mistakes your first time through your essay. Reviewing your work is always a good idea.

Approximate

When you are unsure of specific dates, just approximate dates. For example, if you know an event occurred sometime during the 1820’s, then just write, “in the early 1800’s.”

Common Question Types on Essay Exams

Being able to identify and becoming familiar with the most common types of essay test questions is key to improving performance on essay exams. The following are 5 of the most common question types you’ll find on essay exams.

1. Identify

Identify essay questions ask for short, concise answers and typically do not require a fully developed essay.

• Ask yourself: “What is the idea or concept in question?”, “What are the main characteristics?”, “What does this mean?”
• Keywords to look for: Summarize, List, Describe, Define, Enumerate, State
• Example question: “Define what is meant by ‘separation of church and state.'”

Explain essay questions require a full-length essay with a fully developed response that provides ample supporting detail.

• Ask yourself: “What are the main points?”, “Why is this the case?”
• Keywords to look for: Discuss, Explain, Analyze, Illustrate
• Example question: “Discuss the differences between the political views of democrats and republicans. Use specific examples from each party’s 2017 presidential campaign to argue which views are more in line with U.S. national interests.”

Compare essay questions require an analysis in essay form which focuses on similarities, differences, and connections between specific ideas or concepts.

• Ask yourself: “What are the main concepts or ideas?”, “What are the similarities?”, “What are the differences?”
• Keywords to look for: Compare, Contrast, Relate
• Example question: “Compare the value of attending a community college to the value of attending a 4-year university. Which would you rather attend?”

Argue essay questions require you to form an opinion or take a position on an issue and defend your position against alternative positions using arguments backed by analysis and information.

• Ask yourself: “Is this position correct?”, “Why is this issue true?”
• Keywords to look for: Prove, Justify
• Example question: “Argue whether robotics will replace blue collar manufacturing jobs in the next ten years.”

Assess essay questions involve assessing an issue, idea or question by describing acceptable criteria and defending a position/judgment on the issue.

• Ask yourself: “What is the main idea/issue and what does it mean?”, “Why is the issue important?”, “What are its strengths?”, “What are the weaknesses?”
• Keywords to look for: Evaluate, Criticize, Evaluate, Interpret
• Example question: “With respect to U.S. national security, evaluate the benefit of constructing a wall along the southern border of the United States of America.”

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The 20 best test-taking strategies used by top students

You need to ace that exam. Set yourself up for success by mastering these 22 test-taking strategies used by the very best students.

We're discussing this topic further on Reddit. Join the conversation here .

If you have a feeling of impending doom when you walk into an exam room; get nightmares in which you turn up without your pants on; and spend the first few minutes in a cold sweat, these test-taking tips are the dragon-slaying knight to your damsel in distress.

In this guide, I'm going to walk you through the 20 best test-taking strategies to keep you calm, and thinking and performing optimally in any test or exam. These test-taking tips fall into one of eight categories:

• The 2-3-day lead-up to your test or exam

The best test-taking strategies for the exam room

• Essay exam -taking skills
• Multiple choice exam- taking skills
• Test-taking tips for when you're done writing (or think you're done)

Test-taking tips for when you're drawing a blank

Following these tips and strategies will ensure that you do your absolute best, even if you accidentally leave your studying for the last minute .

Let's dive in!

Strategy test prep 2 to 3 days before an exam

The two to three-day lead-up to your exam is a crucial period. There’s a whole lot you can do in this time to make sure that you're in peak condition, both mentally and physically...

Test-taking tip 1. Optimize your studying

Put down the highlighter. Now's the time to study as efficiently as possible (because your time is super limited), consolidate what you've been learning in the prior weeks and months, and put it into practice with some practice tests or mock exams:

• Study efficiently with flashcards , especially Brainscape's already-made flashcards for hundreds of subjects , since you won't have time to make any.
• Try to find and do some practice exams. This will highlight knowledge weaknesses you may have while familiarizing you with the exam format, so there aren’t any unpleasant surprises on test day.
• Use the Feynman Technique . The best way to iron-proof your knowledge of a subject is to teach it aloud from the very basics up. Use your little brother, sleeping cat, or potted plant as your student.

Test-taking tip 2. Prioritize your sleep in the days before your exam

We know that cramming and pulling all-nighters is, like, "a thing" for students but it is quite honestly the most garbage of all the test-taking strategies. You may as well tie a 100-pound weight to your brain and ask it to run a one-minute mile.

Sleep is crucial for good brain health and memory. You're better off getting a good night's rest the night before an exam than pulling an all-nighter. (In fact, one study showed that sleep-deprived people performed about as well as people who were high on marijuana , which is far from ideal when you’re trying to operate at your mental peak.)

So, prioritize good sleep always ... but especially in the days leading up to your exams. Your brain will reward you with greater clarity, memory, and creativity. (And if you struggle with insomnia, we got you .)

Test-taking tip 3. Feed your brain

So many students focus only on piling information into their brains in preparation for exams but not on optimizing their brain health . Food is another crucial factor that controls how well your brain performs so make sure you have a good breakfast of slow-release carbohydrates and proteins to supply your body and brain with a steady feed of energy throughout the day.

Also, avoid sugar-packed foods and beverages . Sure, they give you a burst of energy but quite soon after the rush, your body produces insulin to get your blood sugar under control causing you to feel sleepy . Not great for a 2 to 3-hour exam.

In general, you're going to have much more energy and perform better cognitively if you consume a balanced diet with plenty of healthy grains, fats, proteins, fruits, and vegetables. And don't forget to hydrate!

Test-taking tip 4. Arrive at the exam venue 30 minutes early

You're probably already a little stressed out. The last thing you need to add to your plate is the utter panic of getting lost, missing your bus, or getting stuck in a traffic jam. Make sure you’ve allowed plenty of time to find your exam room and get settled.

If you have time to spare, flip through some flashcards and take your last restroom break before the exam starts!

Pro tip: try to avoid other students, if possible. When you get to your test room, treat any stressed-out fellow students like they have the ebola virus. Stress is contagious, and no matter your state of preparation, you’re better off staying in your headspace.

The prep is done. You're at the exam venue and sitting down, ready to take the test. It's go time! Here are the best test-taking strategies for maximizing your score...

Test-taking tip 5. Listen and/or read the instructions carefully

Possibly the dumbest thing you can do in any test or exam is leave points on the table because you didn't listen to the examiner or read their instructions. Do not make this mistake. Most of the time, the instructions are routine, but you never know when something unexpected will show up: like a unique preference the examiner has.

Part and parcel of this is carefully reading the questions and making sure you answer them by addressing specifically what is being asked of you.

Test-taking tip 6. Scan the exam paper and do a rough time allocation

Spend no more than one or two minutes scanning your test or exam to give yourself a 30,000-foot view of its anatomy. What do want to walk away with from this initial inspection is how much time you roughly have for each section of the exam. (Sometimes, examiners provide this time estimate for you.)

This will prevent you from running out of time.

Test-taking tip 7. Answer the easy questions first

Start by answering the easy questions first (or the topics you know well). This not only builds your confidence, getting you into your flow state quicker, but it also allows you to rip through a significant portion of your test as quickly as possible , leaving you more time to tackle the harder sections.

That said, don't waste your time trying to cherry-pick which parts of the exam count as "easy" for you. If you read a question and can't answer it immediately, move on and come back to it later once you've captured your answers to all the questions you do know.

The best test-taking strategies for mastering your mindset

The key to getting an A is having the right mindset and staying focused. Here are some test-taking strategies to optimize your concentration and thinking before and during an exam.

Test-taking tip 8. Recognize (and set aside) the inner critic

Especially at the start of your test, be on the alert for the voice of “the inner critic”. You know the one: that annoying negative voice in your head that says things like “I don’t have nearly enough time to answer all these questions!” “That last essay I wrote was rubbish!” “I’ll never pass this!” etc.

This voice can become very loud if you’re feeling anxious while taking a test but just remember: you don’t have to believe everything you think.

Your best test-taking strategy here is to recognize the voice , set it aside, and get on with your exam. Even if you didn't put your all into your prep, you will always have another chance to do better.

Test-taking tip 9. Breathe deeply to calm your nerves

Some people get really stressed out before an exam and it can derail their focus and ability to perform. The quickest, surest way to calm your nerves is by slowing down your breathing:

• Put one hand on your tummy,
• Breathe out until you can’t anymore,
• And then breathe in slowly through your nose.

This engages diaphragmatic breathing, which calms your body down , alleviating the body’s stress responses.

How do you know when you’re doing diaphragm breathing correctly? When you breathe in, the hand on your tummy will move outwards. When you breathe out, this hand will move inwards. Count slowly to ten while you do a few calm diaphragmatic breaths, then continue your test.

Essay exam-taking skills

Essays are unique challenges that require a toolbox of exam-taking skills. Unlike short, open-response questions, they require a narrative, which in turn requires planning. You also need to keep coming back to the question to ask yourself: have I given the examiner everything they're asking for? Have I accounted for every possible point allocated to this question?

So here are the best test-taking strategies to apply to essay exams...

Test taking tip 10. Read the question carefully

We've been through this before but it's especially important for essay questions, which are much longer. Make sure you satisfy the examiner and account for all the points allocated to that question or else you're leaving points on the table. Remember, the best exam essay answers the question. To answer the question, you have to read it carefully.

Test taking tip 11. Plan your essay

It may feel like wasted time, but it's NOT. A minute or two spent planning how best to answer a question (and how you intend to structure your response) will make your job much easier. It'll ensure that your essay has a logical structure and it'll be quicker to write. Always plan first.

Try drawing a quick mind map of what you’ll cover, or write an outline by sketching the main and supporting points for each argument in the essay before you start.

Test taking tip 12. Practice your essay exam-taking skills

The best way to get good at writing essays is to practice them . Ask your teacher for a list of possible essay topics on your subject and then practice writing them at home. Share your work with your teacher for feedback and then rewrite those essays with that feedback in mind.

If this sounds like an awful lot of work, it is . But I promise you this: you'll become an essay assassin and the essay exam-taking skills you build here will follow you into college, your postgraduate studies, and your professional life. You're welcome.

Multiple choice exam-taking skills

Multiple-choice tests or exam sections may seem much easier than longer, open-response questions but they too present their challenges! Here are the best test-taking strategies to bear in mind when tackling multiple-choice tests.

Test-taking tip 13. Understand the rules of the game!

Always, always, always check the rules before you start answering multiple-choice questions: will you be penalized for wrong answers or not?

• If you’re penalized for wrong answers, don’t guess . Just leave out the questions you’re not sure of.
• If there's no penalty for wrong marks, definitely guess. As Michael Jordan said: “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” Just leave yourself some time to come back to the questions you weren’t sure of and give them your best guess.

The best test-taking strategies for when you're done writing (or think you're done)

Test-taking tip 14. check your work.

There are three positions you’ll be in at the end of the test. You’ll either be:

• Finishing with 5 to 15 minutes left for a quick revision of your work.
• Finishing with a LOT of time to spare.
• Running out of time, and not sure whether you’ll finish before the clock.

Each of these requires a different test-taking strategy.

1. Finishing with 5 to 15 minutes to spare If you’re writing essay questions, check your introductions and conclusions. These are where you can make the most impact. Put yourself in the shoes of a tired examiner who’s had to mark thirty similar essays that day.

Look for ways to make yours stand out. A strong conclusion is particularly impactful due to the recency effect , meaning humans recall the most recently presented information best . So even if you lost your way a bit during the middle, a strong, clear conclusion will help carry you through.

For multiple-choice tests, check for any questions you missed. Avoid the temptation to redo questions you’ve already done, unless you’re 100% certain.

2. Finishing with a LOT of time to spare As much as you may want to rush out of the exam room and erase the test from all memory, don’t . Having a lot of time at the end of a test usually comes down to one of these three reasons:

• You’re a total ace and know the answers like your ABCs.
• You’ve totally flunked, and have no idea what subject you were meant to be studying. Are you even in the right exam room?
• You’re pretty well prepared, but you’ve missed some vital information, and need to play catchup.

If you’re in category one or two, there’s not much to be done. Category three though, can be a heartbreaker. So let’s make sure you’re not about to throw your exam because you’ve misread the instructions or skipped a section.

Firstly, check your exam paper for any pages that may have become stuck together, hiding questions you’ve missed.

Secondly, if you’re writing essays, check the required length of the answers to make sure you haven’t shortchanged yourself there.

Thirdly, check if all the page numbers are sequential in the exam , and if you haven’t been accidentally given a test paper with missing pages. Look for any inserts or added sections that may have fallen off your desk or become mixed up in your writing paper.

Once you’ve done this, you’ll either be writing frantically to finish an essay in time, or you can smile, sit back, and put yourself in the first category.

3. Running out of time If you’re running out of time for essay questions, it’s okay to jot down your thoughts in point form . You’ll likely still get credit for them. After all, the aim is to demonstrate your knowledge, and most examiners will give you marks, even if your sentences aren’t complete.

For a multiple-choice test, first check you won’t be penalized for wrong answers . Then, do a lightning round of filling out the first answer that springs to mind. Give yourself a reasonably short time for each question, and GO!

If you sit down to start your test and discover your mind has gone as blank as a Zen monk after a year-long silent retreat, here are a few test-taking strategies for getting the engine started...

Test-taking tip 15. Label what you’re feeling

Emotions can be overwhelming in times like these. When you label them, you put them outside yourself and make them more manageable. i.e. “I’m feeling anxious because I can’t remember anything about quadratic equations.” This can have the effect of diffusing the emotion.

Test-taking tip 16. Do the easy questions first

Scan the questions until you find one you know the answer to. Sometimes you just need a few easy questions under your belt before your brain kicks into gear and you go into flow.

Test-taking tip 17. Breathe and stretch

Our body and mind are connected. If you're blanking, try using your body to get those mental juices flowing. Take 30 seconds to focus on your breathing and gently stretch your body. Relaxing can help you re-concentrate on the exam with better focus.

Strategy 18. Take some perspective

Remember that however dire the consequences of failing a written test are, they are never fatal. You’ll be okay in the end, and if you’re not okay right now, it’s not yet the end. Sometimes a quick change in perspective can give you the shift you need to relax and get your brain into gear.

Strategy test prep: the power of "the debrief"

Your exam is done and the relief is real . But before you blithely forget you ever wrote an exam, now's the perfect time to debrief so that you can do better in the future. After all, how do you expect to improve your test-taking skills if you don't reflect on the one you just wrote? Do that now: take the time to do a good post-mortem and set yourself up for future success.

Test-taking tip 19. Avoid the people who'll make you feel bad

We all do it: gather together after exams to compare notes. But, if possible, try to avoid a detailed post-mortem with those students who are either freaking out, convinced they failed or are swanning about with smug superiority.

That energy just isn't helpful.

Test-taking tip 20. Do a self-assessment

That said, it’s a really good idea to take thirty minutes that evening or the next day to sit somewhere quiet and do a self-assessment of your test. This is about you improving your overall performance, and it’s the kind of analysis that will help you do well on future tests.

Think about what you did well and what you could have done better, not only in how you answered questions but also in terms of your exam mindset, study habits, and overall enjoyment of the subject.

Perhaps you should try to include some new study tools to help you prepare more efficiently for future tests and exams. (Like Brainscape's flashcards #shamelessplug) Or maybe you need to find better ways to control your stress leading up to exams.

This kind of reflection is valuable, both for future performance and as a life skill. From Socrates to Ben Franklin, examining your life puts you in good stead for lifelong learning and will improve your test-taking strategies.

Make these 20 best test-taking strategies a habit

Now you know the best test-taking strategies used by top students. While building strong study habits is essential to a high test score, good exam technique is also key. Practice these test-taking strategies often enough, and you will become a test machine, acing each exam with cyborg-like precision.

Burrows, T., Goldman, S., Pursey, K., & Lim, R. (2017). Is there an association between dietary intake and academic achievement: a systematic review. Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics , 30 (2), 117-140.

Huang, S., Deshpande, A., Yeo, S. C., Lo, J. C., Chee, M. W., & Gooley, J. J. (2016). Sleep restriction impairs vocabulary learning when adolescents cram for exams: the need for sleep study. Sleep , 39 (9), 1681-1690.

Murdock, B. B. (1962). The serial position effect of free recall. Journal of Experimental Psychology , 64 (5), 482-488.

Thomas, M., Sing, H., Belenky, G., Holcomb, H., Mayberg, H., Dannals, R., ... & Welsh, A. (2000). Neural basis of alertness and cognitive performance impairments during sleepiness. I. Effects of 24 h of sleep deprivation on waking human regional brain activity. Journal of Sleep Research , 9 (4), 335-352.

Flashcards for serious learners .

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14 Tips for Test Taking Success

Worried about getting through your next big exam? Here are 14 test taking strategies that can help you do your best on your next test.

Mary Sharp Emerson

From pop quizzes to standardized tests, exams are an important part of the life of every high school student.

The best way to ensure that you’ll get the grade you want is to understand the material thoroughly. Good test taking skills, however, can help make the difference between a top grade and an average one. Mastering these skills can also help reduce stress and relieve test-taking anxiety. 

In this blog, we’ve divided our tips for test taking into two categories: seven things you can do to prepare for your next exam and seven things you should do once the test begins. We’ve also included four strategies that can help with test taking anxiety.

We hope these test taking tips will help you succeed the next time you are facing an exam, big or small!

Seven Best Strategies for Test Prep

You’ve probably heard the quote (originally credited to Alexander Graham Bell): “Preparation is the key to success.”

When it comes to test taking, these are words to live by. 

Here are the seven best things you can do to make sure you are prepared for your next test.

1. Cultivate Good Study Habits

Understanding and remembering information for a test takes time, so developing good study habits long before test day is really important. 

Do your homework assignments carefully, and turn them in on time. Review your notes daily. Write out your own study guides. Take advantage of any practice tests your teacher gives you, or even create your own. 

These simple steps, when done habitually, will help ensure that you really know your stuff come test day. 

2. Don’t “Cram”

It might seem like a good idea to spend hours memorizing the material you need the night before the test.

In fact, cramming for a test is highly counterproductive. Not only are you less likely to retain the information you need, cramming also increases stress, negatively impacts sleep, and decreases your overall preparedness.

So avoid the temptation to stay up late reviewing your notes. Last minute cramming is far less likely to improve your grade than developing good study habits and getting a good night’s sleep.

3. Gather Materials the Night Before

Before going to bed (early, so you get a good night’s sleep), gather everything you need for the test and have it ready to go. 

Having everything ready the night before will help you feel more confident and will minimize stress on the morning of the test. And it will give you a few extra minutes to sleep and eat a healthy breakfast.

4. Get a Good Night’s Sleep

And speaking of sleep…showing up to your test well-rested is one of the best things you can do to succeed on test day.

Why should you make sleep a priority ? A good night’s sleep will help you think more clearly during the test. It will also make it easier to cope with test-taking stress and anxiety. Moreover, excellent sleep habits have been shown to consolidate memory and improve academic performance, as well as reduce the risk of depression and other mental health disorders. 

5. Eat a Healthy Breakfast

Like sleeping, eating is an important part of self-care and test taking preparation. After all, it’s hard to think clearly if your stomach is grumbling.

As tough as it can be to eat when you’re nervous or rushing out the door, plan time in your morning on test day to eat a healthy breakfast. 

A mix of complex carbohydrates and healthy protein will keep you feeling full without making you feel sluggish. Whole wheat cereal, eggs, oatmeal, berries, and nuts may be great choices (depending on your personal dietary needs and preferences). It’s best to avoid foods that are high in sugar, as they can give you a rush of energy that will wear off quickly, leaving you feeling tired.

And don’t forget to drink plenty of water. If possible, bring a bottle of water with you on test day.

6. Arrive Early

Arriving early at a test location can help decrease stress. And it allows you to get into a positive state of mind before the test starts. 

Choose your seat as soon as possible. Organize your materials so they are readily available when you need them. Make sure you are physically comfortable (as much as possible). 

By settling in early, you are giving yourself time to get organized, relaxed, and mentally ready for the test to begin. Even in a high school setting, maximizing the time you have in the test classroom—even if it’s just a couple of minutes—can help you feel more comfortable, settled, and focused before the test begins. 

7. Develop Positive Rituals

Don’t underestimate the importance of confidence and a positive mindset in test preparation. 

Positive rituals can help combat negative thinking, test anxiety, and lack of focus that can easily undermine your success on test day. Plan some extra time to go for a short walk or listen to your favorite music. Engage in simple breathing exercises. Visualize yourself succeeding on the test. 

Your rituals can be totally unique to you. The important thing is developing a calming habit that will boost your confidence, attitude, and concentration when the test begins.

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Seven Best Test-Taking Tips for Success

You have gotten a good night’s sleep, eaten a healthy breakfast, arrived early, and done your positive test-day ritual. You are ready to start the test! 

Different types of tests require different test taking strategies. You may not want to approach a math test the same way you would an essay test, for example. And some computerized tests such as SATs require you to work through the test in a specific way.

However, there are some general test taking strategies that will improve your chances of getting the grade you want on most, if not all, tests. 

1. Listen to the Instructions

Once the test is front of you, it’s tempting to block everything out so you can get started right away. 

Doing so, however, could cause you to miss out on critical information about the test itself.

The teacher or proctor may offer details about the structure of the test, time limitations, grading techniques, or other items that could impact your approach. They may also point out steps that you are likely to miss or other tips to help improve your chances of success. 

So be sure to pay close attention to their instructions before you get started.

2. Read the Entire Test

If possible, look over the entire test quickly before you get started. Doing so will help you understand the structure of the test and identify areas that may need more or less time. 

Once you read over the test, you can plan out how you want to approach each section of the test to ensure that you can complete the entire test within the allotted time.

3. Do a “Brain Dump”

For certain types of tests, remembering facts, data, or formulas is key. For these tests, it can be helpful to take a few minutes to write down all the information you need on a scrap paper before you get started. 

Putting that important information on paper can relieve stress and help you focus on the test questions without worrying about your ability to recall the facts. And now you have a kind of “cheat sheet” to refer to throughout the test!

4. Answer the Questions You Know First

When possible, do a first pass through the test to answer the “easy” questions or the ones you know right away. When you come to a question that you can’t answer (relatively) quickly, skip it on this first pass. 

Don’t rush through this first pass, but do be mindful of time—you’ll want to leave yourself enough time to go back and answer the questions you skipped. 

* It’s important to remember that this technique is not possible on some tests. Standardized computer-based tests often do not allow you to skip questions and return to them later. On these types of tests, you will need to work through each problem in order instead of skipping around. 

5. Answer the Questions You Skipped

Once you’ve done a first pass, you now have to go back and answer the questions you skipped.

In the best case scenario, you might find some of these questions aren’t as challenging as you thought at first. Your mind is warmed up and you are fully engaged and focused at this point in the test. And answering the questions you know easily may have reminded you of the details you need for these questions.

Of course you may still struggle with some of the questions, and that’s okay. Hopefully doing a first pass somewhat quickly allows you to take your time with the more challenging questions.

6. Be Sure the Test is Complete

Once you think you’ve answered all the questions, double check to make sure you didn’t miss any. Check for additional questions on the back of the paper, for instance, or other places that you might have missed or not noticed during your initial read-through.

A common question is whether you should skip questions that you can’t answer. It’s not possible to answer that question in a general sense: it depends on the specific test and the teacher’s rules. It may also depend on the value of each individual question, and whether your teacher gives partial credit.

But, if you’re not penalized for a wrong answer or you are penalized for leaving an answer blank, it is probably better to put something down than nothing.

7. Check Your Work

Finally, if you have time left, go back through the test and check your answers. 

Read over short answer and essay questions to check for typos, points you may have missed, or better ways to phrase your answers. If there were multiple components to the question, make sure you answered all of them. Double check your answers on math questions in case you made a small error that impacts the final answer. You don’t want to overthink answers, but a doublecheck can help you find—and correct—obvious mistakes.

Four Ways to Cope with Test-Taking Anxiety

Nearly every student gets nervous before a test at some point, especially if the exam is an important one. If you are lucky, your pre-test nervousness is mild and can be mitigated by these test taking tips. 

A mild case of nerves can even be somewhat beneficial (if uncomfortable); the surge of adrenaline at the root of a nervous feeling can keep you focused and energized.

For some students, however, test taking anxiety—a form of performance anxiety—can be debilitating and overwhelming. This level of anxiety can be extremely difficult to cope with. 

However, there are a few things you can do before and during a test to help cope with more severe stress and anxiety:

1. Take a Meditation or Sitting Stretch Break

Take a minute or two before or even during a test to focus on your breathing, relax tense muscles, do a quick positive visualization, or stretch your limbs. The calming effect can be beneficial and worth a few minutes of test time. 

2. Replace Negative Thoughts with Positive Ones

Learn to recognize when your brain is caught in a cycle of negative thinking and practice turning negative thoughts into positive ones. For example, when you catch yourself saying “I’m going to fail”, force yourself to say “I’m going to succeed” instead. With practice, this can be a powerful technique to break the cycle of negative thinking undermining your confidence.

3. Mistakes are Learning Opportunities

It’s easy to get caught up in worrying about a bad grade. Instead, remind yourself that it’s ok to make mistakes. A wrong answer on a test is an opportunity to understand where you need to fill in a gap in your knowledge or spend some extra time studying. 

4. Seek Professional Help

Test taking anxiety is very real and should be taken seriously. If you find that your anxiety does not respond to these calming tips, it’s time to seek professional help. Your guidance counselor or a therapist may be able to offer long-term strategies for coping with test taking anxiety. Talk with your parents or guardians about finding someone to help you cope.

Following these test taking tips can’t guarantee that you will get an A on your next big test. Only hard work and lots of study time can do that. 

However, these test taking strategies can help you feel more confident and perform better on test day. Tests may be an inevitable part of student life, but with preparation and confidence, you can succeed on them all!

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About the Author

Digital Content Producer

Emerson is a Digital Content Producer at Harvard DCE. She is a graduate of Brandeis University and Yale University and started her career as an international affairs analyst. She is an avid triathlete and has completed three Ironman triathlons, as well as the Boston Marathon.

Everything You Need to Know About College Summer School: The Complete Guide

This guide will outline the benefits of summer courses and offer tips on how to get the most out of your experience.

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How to Tackle Exam Questions

Learn more about how to tackle different kinds of exams and exam questions.

We cover the following topics on exam preparation on this page:

• Quantitative Questions
• Multiple Choice Questions
• Essay Questions

First, Let’s Think About De-Coding Different Types of Exam Questions

It’s helpful to understand the kinds of question that are asked on a exam, because the response you need to come up with depends on the type of question. Knowing about different types of exam questions can help you activate appropriate strategies for formulating answers and reduce exam-taking anxiety.

Exam questions generally fall into one of three categories: 1

“Green Light”

• Go right ahead!
• These are factual questions, and the answers are straight-forward. You either know the answer or you don’t; it’s right there in your head or it’s not.
• Some green light questions can be very difficult, and your ability to recall details is often tested with this typeof question.
• Study for this type of question by using recitation, making flash cards, quizzing yourself or a study partner, etc.
• If you don’t know the answer to a green light question right away, circle it and move on; often the answer will pop into your head later on during the exam.

“Yellow Light”

• These questions are more detailed than green light questions, but are based on the same idea: you either know the answer or you don’t.
• Often you’ll have to put multiple or “green light” details together.
• Similar strategies work for yellow and green questions, but with yellow light questions you’ll need to recall many ideas, concepts, formulas, etc., just to answer one question.

• These questions ask you to make inferences or apply your knowledge to new situations, which is sometimes called “critical thinking”.
• You need to know the material being covered to answer these questions at the “green light” level, but the exam question is not asking you to simply regurgitate it. You will need to take what you know and use it in ways you have not yet used it.
• This type of question sometimes flummoxes students, because they are surprised to they are being asked a question that wasn’t exactly covered in class. Remember that with red light questions you are not supposed to already know the answer. You have to come up with the answer yourself, it is not already in your head. (You will need to know the basic information, though, to be able to answer this type of question.)
• Red light questions are asked more frequently in college than in high school.
• To study for red light questions, make diagrams or concept maps that link ideas or topics from the course together. Think about how what you’re learning relates to what you’ve learned in other classes. Sit down with friends or classmates and talk about how one might use information from the class in a job setting.

See this link for a pdf of  Decoding exam questions.

How to Tackle: Problem-Solving and Quantitative Questions

Study for problem-based exams by practicing (new!) problems

As you work on the problems, remember:

• DO let yourself be stuck.* (yes, we mean that!)
• DON’T sneak a peak at the answer if you get stuck. (keep trying!)
• Check your answer only after you’ve put something–anything–down. Think partial credit, which is better than no credit if you freeze when you get stuck on hard problems on the test.

* You need to get your “stuck” muscles stronger so you know what to do on tests when you feel stuck.

Watch: LSC’s Mike Chen Shares “The Key to Problem-Solving Tests”

Taking problem-based exams

1. Understand the problem: Determine what you are supposed to find, what you need to find it, and what the unknown is (and if there is extra information). Consider whether drawing a sketch will help. Also – note each part of the question. Not answering each part is an easy way to lose points.

2. Determine a way to solve the problem: Write down all that is given or known. Draw a sketch when appropriate to show relations. Write down all relevant formulas.

3. Carry out the procedure you have devised: For numerical problems, try and estimate an answer first. This will help you to check your work later. Neat, careful work keeps you from making mistakes, and allows you to find them when you do make them (show your units!!). Additionally, when the instructor can see your work clearly, he or she may give you partial credit for what you do know, even if your ultimate answer is incorrect.

4. Check your Answers: This requires the same quality of thought originally used to solve the problem. Is your answer what you thought it would be in your original estimate? Is it a quantity that makes sense? Is your answer in the correct units? If your answer does not seem reasonable, rework the problem.

How to Tackle: Multiple Choice Questions

1. Read the stem: First, read the stem and make sure you understand what it is getting at. Look out for double negatives or other twists in wording before you consider the answer.

2. Try to come up with the correct answer: Before you look at the answer choices, try to come up with the correct answer. This will help you to rule out choices that are similar to the correct answer. Now read and consider each option carefully.

3. Look for clues in the stem: Look for clues in the stem that suggest the correct answer or rule out any choices. For example, if the stem indicates that the answer is plural you can rule out any answers that are singular. The basic rule is: the correct answer must make sense grammatically with the stem. Options which fail this exam can be ruled out.

4. Cross off any options you know are incorrect: As you rule out options cross them off with your pencil. This will help you focus on the remaining choices and eliminates the chance of returning to an item and selecting an option you had already eliminated.

5. Come back to items you were unsure of: Put a mark next to any questions you are unsure of. If you complete the entire exam with time to spare, review these questions – you will often get clues (or even answers) from other questions.

Take a look at some additional information on difficult “ Multiple Choice Tests ” (opens a PDF).

How to Tackle: Essay Questions

The best way to  prepare  for essay tests is to practice writing essays.

• Anticipate questions : Make outlines of possible essay topics using your course materials so you know you’ve got a good grasp of what might be on the test. Then recreate your outlines from memory (unless it’s an open-notes test).
• Practice writing  at least one full essay; be mindful of the time you spend practicing and think about how much time you will have during the exam. It is also important to think about  how  you are organizing the information you are including in your essay — for example, if you are asked to compare and contrast two theories as they relate to an issue, you might want to define each of them, describe the issue, and then compare and contrast them.
• If your exam is closed book,  memorize key events, facts, and names  that you will need to support your argument. If it is open-notes, then make sure you develop good outlines.

When you are  taking  essay tests:

• Manage your time  well. As with all exams, if there are multiple essay questions, be sure to look at them all at the beginning (taking note of the points each is worth), and prioritize the order you answer the questions.
• Read the directions  carefully. Ask yourself honestly: are you answering the  actual  question on the test, or the question you  want  to be on the test?  (tip: instructors know when you aren’t really answering the exact question, so make sure you are addressing the actual question and don’t just write random information that is unrelated to the question.)
• Before you write the essay,  decide on your argument  and  quickly list your supporting evidence  (it is ok to do a brain dump of all the important information that you want to include so that you have it handy when you begin writing).
• Make a quick outline  of what you are going to write to organize your thoughts and arguments.
• Write! And, make your point right away – you don’t want to get to the end of a timed essay test with your amazing argument still unmade!
• If you have time, go back and quickly  proof-read  your essay for errors.

You might want to take a look at some “ Words to Watch for in an Essay ” (opens a PDF).

References:

1 Taffy E. Raphael, Teaching Question Answer Relationships, Revisited, The Reading Teacher, Vol. 39, No. 6 (Feb., 1986), pp. 516-522.

Ellis, D. (1998). Becoming a Master Student. Houghton Mifflin: Boston

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Chapter 6 Test Taking

6.3 Techniques During a Test

You’ve done all you can within reason and within your circumstances to prepare for the test. You’ve studied hard, practised questions, and got a good night’s sleep; you ate nutritiously, and arrived to the test early and prepared. Now it’s time to write the test. There are specific strategies you can use in the midst of the test that will help you do the best you can do.

During-Test Strategies

Here is a list of the most common–and useful–strategies for test-taking.

• Choose your seat wisely. Sit where you are most comfortable. Scan the room and look for considerations that might affect you (e.g. sitting away from windows or doors that may be drafty or distracting). That said, sitting near the front has a couple of advantages: you will hear directions more easily; you may be less distracted by other students; and if a classmate comes up with a question for the instructor and there is an important clarification given, you will be better able to hear it and apply it, if needed.
• Cut down on distractions. Wear ear plugs, if noise distracts you. Put your phone on do not disturb before you arrive.
• Bring water. This helps calm the nerves, for one thing, and water is also needed for optimum brain function.
• Listen carefully to instructions given by the instructor or test invigilator.
• Write it down. Take a couple minutes to write down key facts, dates, principles, statistics, concepts, memory cues and formulas that you memorized to help you on the test. Write them on a piece of scratch paper or in the margin of the exam paper. Do this right at the start. Then you can refer to these notes as you take the exam.
• Scan the test. Before starting to do any of the questions, scan the test so you know how many test items there are, what types there are (multiple choice, matching, essay, etc.), and the point values of each item or group of items. There is nothing worse than getting a big surprise when you have no time left to do anything about it. You don’t want to think you’ve almost finished the test, and then with five minutes left, you discover the last question is a forty mark essay.
• Mark the questions as you scan the test. Star or highlight the questions that you know really well. Put question marks beside the ones that you might have more trouble with. Always focus your attention on the questions you know well first. It ensures that you get the questions done that you have the most chance of getting high marks on, and it builds your confidence from the start. Spending time on a question that you are struggling with is wasting your time which could be spent answering the questions you know the answers to. Skip the ones you don’t know and come back to them later if you have time. You might even get some clues to the answers from some of the other questions covering similar information. On computerized tests or answer sheets where you can’t or shouldn’t make marks – write down the numbers of the questions you skipped or weren’t sure of on scrap paper so you can find them easily later.
• Create a Plan. Evaluate the importance of each section as you scan the test. Determine which way you want to approach the test. Some students start with the easy questions first, that is, the ones they immediately know the answers to, saving the difficult ones for later, knowing they can spend the remaining time on them. Some students begin with the biggest-point items first, to make sure they get the most points. Determine a schedule that takes into consideration how long you have for the test and the types of questions on the test. Essay questions, for example, will require more time than multiple choice or matching questions. Keep your eye on the clock.

Create a Test Plan

Look for opportunities where some areas of the exam are worth more points than others. For example: An exam consists of 21 questions, with 10 being True/False, 10 being multiple choice, and one essay question. The T/F questions are worth 1 point each (10 points), the multiple-choice questions are worth 2 points each (20 points), and the essay question is worth 30 points. You know that the essay question is the most valuable (it is worth half of the value of the exam). And we should allocate our time for it accordingly. Do a quick analysis of time to be able to spend your time on the exam wisely. You want to spend some time with the essay question since it is so valuable, without sacrificing adequate time to ensure the T/F and multiple-choice questions are answered.

Often, the order of the exam in this scenario will be: T/F first, multiple choice second and essay third. Most students will go in the chronological order of the exam, but you may want to start with the essay, or at least decide on the essay question (if there is a choice between given options) and write the outline (plan) for the essay with key points before diving into the rest of the exam.

If this exam were to last for 40 minutes, a student could make a rough plan to spend 15-20 minutes on the essay question, ten minutes on the multiple choice, three-five minutes on the T/F and 5-10 minutes reviewing answers, checking over the essay, and going back to questions that were skipped.

• Read the directions carefully. Then reread them. Do you understand what is expected of you? If not, re-read the questions, or ask the instructor to be sure you are clear.  Common errors from not reading directions carefully include either missing one part of the question (e.g. answered the first part but forgot about the second part) or not noticing that you only needed to answer 3 out of 5 of the short-answer questions (hence wasting time that could have been spent somewhere else on the test). Too many students lose points simply by not following directions completely!
• Read the questions carefully. Underline key words in each question. Think about where you have heard these key words before. Think about other questions on the test for clues. When you have finished writing your answer, go back and read the question again to make sure you actually answered it. (It is not uncommon for students to go off on a tangent and then not actually answer the question.)
• Do the easy questions first. By getting the easy questions out of the way, you’ll feel more confident about the test and have more time to think about the tougher questions. Start with the objective sections of the exam first (multiple choice, true or false, and matching columns). As you answer these questions, keep an eye out for facts, terms, or concepts you may want to use later in an essay question. You’ll know because you read the essay question already and did your outline. Circle key concepts and jot them into your essay outline as you answer questions throughout the test.
• Keep an eye on the time. Keep as close to your plan as possible. If you see that you are running out of time, don’t panic. Move to those questions you think you can still answer accurately within the remaining time.
• Move. Try to stretch in your chair from time to time to relieve tension and assist the blood to the brain! Roll your shoulders, circle your feet and hands, clench your butt, circle your neck.
• Reduce anxiety . Remember to employ strategies to reduce test-taking anxiety (covered earlier in the Chapter 6.1 Test Anxiety and How to Manage It ).
• Check your work. This doesn’t mean going through all your calculations again. Start by ensuring that you have complete answers according to the directions. Then look for other common mistakes, such as a misplaced decimal point, dropped words (especially those that can modify the answer, like “not”), and any incomplete or incomprehensible phrases.

Video: “Mr. Bean – The Exam” (length 5:56)

Exercise: Test-taking Tips

Write a letter of advice to Chen incorporating 10 test-taking tips and strategies you think will help him.

Chen believes he is good at organization, and he usually is–for about the first two weeks of classes. He then becomes overwhelmed with all of the handouts and materials and tends to start slipping in the organization department. When it comes to tests, he worries that his notes might not cover all of the right topics and that he will not be able to remember all of the key terms and points–especially for his math class. During tests, he sometimes gets stuck on an item and tends to spend too much time there.  He also changes answers sometimes but finds out later that his original selection was correct. Chen is also easily distracted by other students and noises which makes it hard for him to concentrate, and, unfortunately, he does admit to occasionally “cramming” the night before.

Strategies for Specific Exam Formats

As well as using the above strategies during the test, it is important to be aware of the five principal types of questions on tests and to know specific strategies for each type to help maximize success.

True or False Questions

Look for qualifiers. A qualifier is a word that is absolute. Examples are: all, never, no, always, none, every, only, entirely. They are often seen in false statements. This is because it is more difficult to create a true statement using a qualifier like never, no, always, etc. For example, “All cats chase mice.” Cats may be known for chasing mice, but not all of them do so. The answer here is false and the qualifier “all” gave us a tip. Qualifiers such as: sometimes, many, some, most, often, and usually are commonly found in true statements. For example: “Most cats chase mice.” This is true and the qualifier “most” gave us a tip. Here is another example. “Delia flirts with every man she meets.” Though the statement may seem true because you know Delia, there was a time 5 years ago that she met a man named Bob, and she didn’t flirt with him.  Though the temptation is to say, “true”, the one instance that it didn’t happen (when she met Bob) makes the actual answer, “false”. Similarly in a test, if you can think of one exception in a statement with an absolute qualifier (i.e. even one instance that the statement wouldn’t be true), then the answer is false.

Make sure to read the entire statement. All parts of a sentence must be true if the whole statement is to be true. If one part of it is false, the whole sentence is false. Long sentences are often false for this reason.

If students don’t know the answer, they should guess on True or False questions unless there is a penalty for an incorrect answer. There is a fifty percent chance of guessing correctly! And if you have to guess, guess the one that seems to make the most sense to you, and if you still have no idea, guess True, because most tests include more true statements than false.

Multiple Choice Questions

It is important to read each statement carefully. Think of multiple choice questions as four (or five) true or false statements in one. One of the statements is true (the correct answer) and the others will be false. If you have options such as “all of the above,” or “both A and B,” make sure each item is completely true (no exceptions) before selecting those options. If you know your material well, you will be able to pick out the true statements. If you are unsure of the material, there are some strategies to help you come up with the right answer.

Apply the same strategy toward qualifiers as you did in the True False questions. If you see an absolute qualifier in one of the answer choices, it is probably false. If a statement says something “always” happens and you can think of even one exception, then it is false. Try to identify the true statement, but before you choose it as the right answer,  always read the other statements because you may find another statement that sounds true. Eliminate answers you know to be false.  Then discern between the two true-sounding statements. While working through a question, it is helpful to x-out the ones you know are false; it will save time if you need to go over the question again.

If there is no penalty for incorrect answers,  guess if you are not certain of the answer. If there is a penalty for incorrect answers, common logic is to guess if you can eliminate two of the answers as incorrect (pending what the penalty is). If there’s a penalty and you cannot narrow down the answers, it’s best to leave it blank. You may wish to ask your instructor for clarification.

Answers that are strange and unrelated to the question are usually false. If two answers have a word that looks or sounds similar, one of those is usually correct. For example: abductor/ adductor. If you see these as two of the four or five choices, one of them is usually correct. Also look for answers that are grammatically incorrect. These are usually incorrect answers.

Matching Questions

Although less common than the other types of exams, you will likely see some matching exams during your time in college. First, read the instructions and take a look at both lists to determine what the items are and their relationship. It is especially important to determine if both lists have the same number of items and if all items are to be used, and used only once.

Matching exams become much more difficult if one list has more items than the other or if items either might not be used or could be used more than once. If your exam instructions do not discern this, you may wish to ask your instructor for further clarification.

Students should take a look at the whole list before selecting an answer because a more correct answer may be found further into the list. If one column is short phrases and the other column is single words, work from the column with phrases and look for the single words to match (not the other way around). If both columns have single words, group them by parts of speech (nouns with nouns, verbs with verbs etc.). Mark items when you are sure you have a match and cross out these options to eliminate answers for the remainder of the matching. Guessing (if needed) should take place once you have selected answers you are certain about.

Short-Answer Questions

Short-answer questions are designed for you to recall and provide very specific information (unlike essay questions that ask you to apply critical thinking to that information.) Read all of the instructions first. Budget your time and then read all of the questions. Answer the ones you know best or feel the most confident with. Then go back to the other ones. If you do not know the answer and there is no penalty for incorrect answers, guess. Use common sense. Sometimes instructors will award partial credit for a logical answer that is related even if it is not the correct answer.

Make sure to look at the marking system. If short answer questions are worth 3-5 marks out of 100, then likely the instructor is looking for about 2-3 relevant sentences, not a full paragraph. If they are out of twenty marks, you’ll want to include more information in more depth.

Author’s Story

I have a tendency to write too much on short-answer test questions. I want to write down everything I know about the topic. It’s great because I’ll usually get full marks on the question, but an instructor once told me that I would have had full marks with my first few sentences. The trouble is that if you spend too long on a short-answer question, you may run out of time for other questions, especially a long-answer essay style question that really does require you to go into depth. Write down a few of the most relevant things on your short-answer question and come back and write more later if there’s time at the end.

— Mary Shier, College of the Rockies

Essay Questions

Knowing the format of the exam can help you determine how to study. If you know that you are taking a True-False or Multiple Choice exam, you will need to discern whether a statement is True or False. You will need to know subject content for the course. But if you are studying for short answer and especially for essay questions, you must know a lot more. For essay questions, you must have much greater content knowledge and be able to make a coherent argument that answers the question using information from textbooks, lectures or other course materials. You will have to connect themes with examples. Essay questions evaluate your thinking and reasoning skills applied to the course material. You will have to place a lot more time and thought into studying for an essay exam than for True-False or Multiple Choice exams.

Read the essay question(s) and the instructions first. Underline or circle key words in the question. Plan your time wisely and organize your answer before you start to write. Make a quick outline to organize the essay and include all key points. Address the answer to the question in your first paragraph and reiterate it in your last paragraph (conclusion). You would be surprised how many essays are written that discuss all kinds of things about the topic, but actually never answer the question! It may help to restate the original question. Write clearly and legibly. Instructors have difficulty grading essays that they cannot read. Clearly state what you are trying to say. Don’t expect that the instructor knows what you mean. Write the essay as if you are explaining it to someone who knows nothing about the topic. Please note that essay questions often have multiple acceptable answers, so don’t question whether your answer is correct or not. Just make sure you’ve backed up what you’ve said.

Save some time for review when you have finished writing to check spelling, grammar and coherent thought in your answer. Inevitably you will find things that need to be clarified. Write your essay double-spaced. This leaves room to add in words or phrases in the proof-reading stage without making a mess of your paper. Finally, make sure you have addressed all parts of the essay question.

Exercise: Test Your Knowledge

Key Takeaways

• Be prepared. Get a good night’s sleep! Arrive early and get comfortable.
• Scan the entire exam before starting to answer questions.
• Develop a plan (including a “time budget”) for completing the exam.
• Read questions carefully. Underline keywords in questions, particularly in essay questions and science questions.
• Do the questions you know well first.
• Unless points are deducted for wrong answers, it pays to take educated guesses.
• Pay attention to specific strategies for different types of questions.
• Keep a close eye on the time. Don’t be caught off guard.

Lastly, if you finish the test early, use the remaining time to review your answers and make corrections or additions before submitting your exam.

Make sure you have written your full name on the test. It’s shocking how many students write their first name only and expect the instructor to figure it out. It’s also shocking how many students forget to write their names at all. You don’t want to go through all that preparation and stress and then not get credit for your work. Lastly, make sure to hand your paper in!

Video: “Funny school video of kid taking a test” (length 1:04)

Text Attributions

• Points under the “During-Test Strategies” heading has been adapted from “ Taking Tests ” in University Success by N. Mahoney, B. Klassen, and M. D’Eon. Adapted by Mary Shier.  CC BY-NC-SA .
• The “Words to Watch for in Essay Questions” table and the Crossword puzzle activity have been adapted from “ The Secrets of the Q and A’ s” in University Success by N. Mahoney, B. Klassen, and M. D’Eon. Adapted by Mary Shier. CC BY-NC-SA .
• Text under “Strategies for Specific Exam Formats” has been adapted from “ Test-Taking Strategy Specifics ” in Blueprint for Success in College and Career   by Dave Dillon. Adapted by Mary Shier. CC BY .

Video Attributions

• “ The Exam | Mr. Bean Official ” by Mr. Bean . Standard YouTube licence.
• “ Funny school video of kid taking a test ” by jerodtnt . Standard YouTube licence.

Media Attributions

• Crossword © University of Saskatchewan is licensed under a CC BY-NC-SA (Attribution NonCommercial ShareAlike) license

6.3 Techniques During a Test Copyright © 2020 by Mary Shier is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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100 Last-Day-of-School Activities Your Students Will Love!

Best Test-Taking Strategies and Tips for Students

Overcome anxieties and do your best every time!

From pop quizzes to standardized tests, students face a lot of graded assessments and exams throughout their school years. Help them develop strong test-taking strategies they can use no matter what type of assessment it is. These key skills will ensure students are able to show what they know when the heat is on!

When To Teach Test-Taking Strategies and Tips

How to teach test-taking strategies, test anxiety, test prep strategies, general test-taking strategies, test-taking strategies by question type, test question mnemonics, after the test.

It’s important to start teaching kids how to handle taking tests from an early age. All the tips shown here are applicable to any grade, so use them early. Teach test-taking strategies for elementary students right from the start, showing them how to prepare for and approach a test calmly and with confidence. Remind them tests are just one way that they get to show what they know.

Middle school test-taking strategies are just a continuation of what they learned and practiced early on. Continue to stress these skills so they become second nature. This will help them master test-taking strategies for high school, when they start taking the SAT, ACT, final exams, and other important assessments.

One important thing to remember about these test strategies is that the more students use them, the sooner they’ll become routine. Teachers should demonstrate and model skills like understanding the question, underlining and highlighting, crossing out wrong answers, and more. Then, ensure kids use them on any kind of assignment, such as homework or worksheets. That way, it becomes a habit instead of a special test-taking behavior.

Parents and families can help their kids too. Share this guide with them so they can learn the kinds of behaviors that can help their student succeed. That will allow them to help kids build and practice those behaviors consistently over time.

Tip: Remember that most online test-taking strategies are pretty much the same as those for paper-based tests. The key is to get kids comfortable and willing to use them. Give online practice tests, and require kids to use the digital tools and strategies that are available to them. It’s all about establishing a habit.

No matter how much they prep, some people still panic at the sight of a test paper or screen. It’s estimated that 35% of all students have some form of test anxiety , so you’re not alone. These tips may help.

• Prep over time. Follow the steps below and spend a little time studying each day, so the right answers become second nature.
• Practice taking tests. Use a tool like Kahoot or other study resources to create a practice test. Then take it under the same conditions you can expect to face at school. Use the test-taking strategies shown below until they become automatic.
• Practice deep breathing. When you panic, you stop breathing properly, and lack of oxygen affects your brain. Learn to do deep-breathing exercises, and use them before and even during a test.
• Take a break. If you simply can’t get your head in the game, ask for the bathroom pass and get out of the classroom for a minute or two. You can even write a note to your teacher to let them know you’re struggling, in case they don’t let students leave the room during tests.
• Talk to teachers and parents. Don’t keep your test anxiety inside! Let your parents, teachers, and other supporting adults know that tests really amp up your anxiety. They may have coping tips for you or even offer accommodations to help you out.
• Keep things in perspective. We promise, failing one test will not destroy your life. If test anxiety is disrupting your life (affecting your mood, causing you to lose sleep, giving you physical symptoms like stomach problems or headaches), you might need to talk to someone like a counselor or therapist.

The best way to pass a test? Master the skills and knowledge a little at a time, so the right answers are always available to you. That means setting aside some study time each day for every subject. Try these prep tips and ideas.

Take Good Notes

Study after study has shown the importance of actively taking notes rather than passively reading a handout later on. The act of writing engages different parts of the brain, forging new pathways that help students retain information in long-term memory. What’s more, the studies show that the more detailed the notes, the better. Taking good notes is a real skill, and there are a variety of different options. Learn them all, and decide which ones work best for you.

• Learn more: Top Note-Taking Strategies Every Student Should Know

Know Your Learning Style

All students use different learning methods to retain and understand the same information. Some like written words, some prefer to hear it and talk about it. Others need to do something with their hands or see images and diagrams. These are known as learning styles. While it’s important not to pigeonhole students into any one style, kids should be aware of any strengths they have and use them to create appropriate study materials and test-taking strategies.

• Learn more: What Are Learning Styles?

Create Review Materials

There are so many ways to review for tests! It’s important to take time to find the ones that work best for you. Some people love flash cards; others like to record and listen to their notes, and so on. Here are some common review materials that work well for the different learning styles:

• Visual: Diagrams; charts; graphs; maps; videos with or without sound; photos and other images; graphic organizers and sketchnotes
• Auditory: Lectures; audiobooks; videos with sound; music and songs; text-to-speech translation; discussion and debate; teaching others
• Read/write: Reading textbooks, articles, and handouts; watching video with subtitles turned on; using speech-to-text translation and transcripts; making lists; writing answers to questions
• Kinesthetic: Hands-on practice; educational craft projects; experiments and demonstrations; trial and error; moving and playing games while learning

Form Study Groups

While some students work best on their own, many others thrive working with others to keep them on track and motivated. Setting up study buddies or groups enhances everyone’s study skills. Here are some tips for forming good groups:

• Choose your study partners wisely. Your friends may or may not be the best people to study with. If you’re not sure, ask your teacher to recommend a partner or group.
• Set up regular study times. These can be in-person or online via virtual spaces like Zoom.
• Create a study plan. “Let’s get together and study” sounds great, but it’s not very specific. Decide who will make any resources in advance, and hold each other accountable for good notes, flash cards, etc.
• Evaluate your group. After a few tests, determine if your study group is really helping its members succeed. If you’re all struggling, it might be time to mix up the group or add some new members.

Cramming is definitely not one of the best test-taking strategies. When you try to condense all your learning into a few hours the night before a test, you’re likely to feel overwhelmed and exhausted. Plus, cramming may help you remember information in the short term, but it doesn’t help you master knowledge for a lifetime. Avoid the need to cram with these tips:

• Set aside review time after every class. Each night, look over the day’s notes, and use them to create review materials like flash cards, review questions, online quizzes, and the like.
• Mark the dates of upcoming tests on your calendar. Use those dates to plan your study schedule in advance.

Get Rest and Eat Well

Feeling your best is key to acing a test!

• Don’t stay up late to cram. Even if you’re short on time, getting enough sleep is vital. Try to squeeze in a little extra study time during your normal waking hours instead.
• Eat a good breakfast. It sounds trite, but it really is true. A good breakfast sets you up for a good day!
• Don’t skip lunch. If your test is in the afternoon, eat a healthy lunch or grab a protein-heavy snack before exam time.
• Stay hydrated. When your body is dehydrated, you’re more prone to headaches that make it harder to concentrate. Drink lots of water, and keep some on hand during the test if allowed.
• Visit the restroom. Go in advance so you don’t need to break your concentration once the test begins.

No matter what type of exam you’re taking, there are some test-taking strategies that always apply. These tips work for multiple-choice, essay, short-answer, or any other kind of exam or quiz.

Tackle Easy Questions First

Focus on showing what you know, and build confidence as you go along.

• Look over the entire test first, without answering any questions just yet. This allows you to plan your time and find out what to expect as you go along.
• Ask questions right away. If you’re not sure what a question is asking, talk to your teacher. It’s better to clarify than to guess.
• On your second run-through, answer any questions or problems you’re certain about. Skip those that you need more time to consider.
• Finally, go back and handle more challenging questions, one at a time.

Watch the Time

Know how much time you have to complete the test, and keep an eye on the clock. Don’t get obsessed with how much time is left, though. Simply work at a comfortable pace, and check the clock at the end of each page or section. Feel like you’re running out of time? Remember to prioritize questions that are worth more points, or those that you’re more confident about.

Review Before Submitting

Answering the last question doesn’t mean you’re done just yet. Look back over your test and check the following:

• Did you put your name on your paper? (So easy to forget!)
• Have you answered every question? Don’t lose valuable points due to lack of attention to detail.
• Did you check your work? Do math problems in reverse to make sure the answers make sense.
• Have you truly answered the questions asked? For essay and short answer, make sure you’ve addressed everything the prompt requires.
• Were you neat and clear? Check your handwriting if applicable, and make sure the person grading it can read what you wrote.

Different types of questions require different test-taking strategies. Here’s how to conquer the most common question types.

Multiple Choice

• Read the question carefully. Look for “gotcha” words like “not” or “except,” and ensure you know exactly what’s being asked.
• Form your own answer. Before you look at the options, think of your own answer. If one of the options matches your answer, go ahead and select it and move on. Still need help? Continue with the rest of the steps.
• Eliminate any obvious wrong answers, those that are irrelevant, etc. If you’re only left with one option, that must be it!
• Still not sure? If you can, circle it or mark it, then come back later. As you work on other parts of the test, you might remember the answer.
• Make a final choice: In the end, it’s usually better to pick something than to leave a question blank (there are exceptions to this, so make sure you know in advance). Choose the one that seems best, and move on so you can finish the whole test.
• Read both lists completely before you start to answer. This cuts down on impulse answers.
• Read the instructions. Does each item in column A have only one match in column B? Or can you use items from column B more than once?
• Cross off answers as you use them. If you can only use each answer in column B once, cross it off as you use it to make it easier to ignore as you continue.
• Complete easy matches first, then come back to more challenging ones.
• Read each statement carefully, word by word. Look for double negatives and other tricky syntaxes.
• Watch for qualifiers like: always, never, often, sometimes, generally. Stricter qualifiers like “always” or “never” often signify the answer is false (though not always).
• Break long sentences into parts, and examine each part. Remember that each part of the sentence must be correct for the answer to be “true.”

Short Answer

• Read the question thoroughly, and mark any requirements like “name,” “list,” “describe,” or “compare.”
• Keep your answer concise. Unlike essay questions, you often don’t need to answer in complete sentences, so don’t waste time with extra words. (Read the directions closely, though, in case complete sentences are required.)
• Show what you know. If you can’t answer the entire question, go ahead and write what you do know. Many tests give partial credit for partial answers.
• Sketch an outline before you start. Determine your basic topic sentence, and jot a few notes for each paragraph or point.
• Use concrete examples. Make sure you have specific evidence to support any point you’re making. Vague answers don’t prove you really know the material.
• Edit your first draft. When you’re done with your first draft answer, reread it immediately. Make any corrections that come to mind.
• Finalize your answer. If there are other questions on the test, go ahead and complete them. When you’re done, come back to each one for a final proofread. Add any missing information, fix misspellings and punctuation errors, and make sure you’ve completely answered the questions you were asked.
• Learn more: Five Dos and Don’ts for Timed Essay Tests
• Listen to or read the question, then re-phrase it out loud to be sure you understand what’s being asked.
• Take a deep breath and a solid pause before you answer. Think through what you’ll say before you start to talk. It’s OK to be silent for a minute or two!
• Ask if you can jot down some notes before you talk. This can help you remember all you need to say.
• Take your time as you talk. Racing through makes it more likely you’ll make a mistake, or that your examiner won’t understand you.
• Answer the question, then stop talking. There’s no need to tell them everything you know, and the more you talk, the more opportunities you have for making an error.
• That being said, be sure to answer the whole question. Ensure your answer covers everything you were asked.

Online Tests

• Make use of the digital tools available to you. Many online testing programs offer tools such as highlighting, adding notes, crossing off wrong answers, etc. They’re there to help you out, so use them digitally just like you would on paper.
• Use scratch paper liberally, if allowed. Make notes as you read, jot down any requirements, work out the problems—whatever you need to feel more confident answering questions. If you take an entire test without using scratch paper once, chances are you haven’t been very thorough.
• Take advantage of the ability to skip questions. Although not all tests allow you to do so, many do. In fact, you can usually mark a question to indicate you want to come back to it later. Don’t feel pressured to answer each question before you move on just because it’s on the screen in front of you.
• Master your keyboard skills. If typing is a weak point for you, take a training course and get as much practice as possible. Focus on learning to type accurately and efficiently, so you’re able to type your thoughts fluently as they occur.

Need an easy way to remember some of these test-taking strategies? Try these mnemonic devices!

This general strategy from Ms. Fultz’s Corner works for multiple test question types.

• L: Leave the hard questions for last.
• E: Erase and fix your answers when checking your work.
• A: Add details to written answers.
• R: Read and reread to dig out the answers you need.
• N: Never give up, and do your best!

This is another one that applies to most tests, via Academic Tutoring & Testing .

• R: Read the question carefully.
• E: Examine every answer choice.
• L: Label your answer or your proof.
• A: Always check your answers.
• X: X-out (cross out) answers you know are wrong.

Use this one for reading passages with accompanying questions. Learn more about UNWRAP here.

• U: Underline the title and make a prediction.
• N: Number the paragraphs.
• W: Walk through the questions.
• R: Read the passage twice.
• A: Answer each question.
• P: Prove your answers with paragraph numbers.

This one is simple and gets right to the heart of the matter.

• R: Read the questions first.
• U: Underline the key words in the questions.
• N: Now, read the selection.
• S: Select the best answer.

This is similar to RUNS, with a few key differences. Learn more from Book Units Teacher.

• R: Read the title and predict.
• U: Underline keywords in the question.
• N: Now read the passage.
• E: Enclose keywords.
• R: Read the questions, eliminating wrong options.

Larry Bell’s reading passage strategy is popular with many teachers.

• U: Underline the title.
• N: Now predict what the text is about.
• R: Run through and number the paragraphs.
• A: Are the questions read, in your head?
• A: Are you circling the important words?
• V: Venture through the passage (read it, picture it, and think about the answers).
• E: Eliminate the wrong answers.
• L: Let the questions be answered.

This one is quick and easy for kids to remember.

• S: Summarize each paragraph.
• T: Think about the question.
• O: Offer proof for your choice.
• P: Pick the best answer.

This is a time-tested mnemonic for math word problems, used by teachers and schools everywhere.

• C: Circle the numbers.
• U: Underline the question.
• B: Box key words.
• E: Eliminate extra information and wrong answer choices.
• S: Show your work.

Take a breath—the test is done! Now what?

Don’t Worry About Your Grade (Yet)

This is so hard, but stressing over the results won’t help you get them any faster—or change your grade. Focus on what’s ahead of you right now, and deal with your test grade when you get it. Repeat to yourself: “I can’t change it by worrying about it.”

Learn From Your Mistakes

Whether you pass or fail, take a moment to look over wrong answers or missing information. Make notes about them so you can follow up for final exams or upcoming assignments.

Ask for Help or a Retake

Not sure why something was wrong? Ask your teacher! Still don’t understand a concept? Ask your teacher! Seriously, it’s what they’re there for. If you prepared and still didn’t pass, consider getting some tutoring or teacher assistance, then asking for an opportunity to retake the test. Teachers really do want you to learn, and if they can tell you tried your best and are still struggling, they might be willing to give you another chance.

Celebrate Your Successes

Did you pass? Hurray! Learn from any mistakes, but don’t sweat them too much. You did the hard work, you got a passing grade—take a moment to feel proud of your accomplishment!

What test-taking strategies do you teach your students? Come share your ideas and ask for advice in the We Are Teachers HELPLINE group on Facebook !

Plus, check out should teachers allow test retakes .

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Daniel Wong

20 Test-Taking Strategies and Tips for Anxious Students

Updated on July 14, 2021 By Daniel Wong 6 Comments

Let’s imagine the ideal morning of your next exam for a moment.

It’s early when your alarm goes off. You stretch as the sun peeks through your window. Usually, you’d hit the snooze button a few times, but today you don’t. You feel well-rested and ready to conquer the day.

As you climb out of bed, you realise there’s no swarm of butterflies fluttering about in your stomach.

Instead, you feel successful and resilient . You’re calm as you eat a leisurely breakfast, chat with your parents, and head out the door. Maybe you’re not excited about the big exam, but you’re not worried about it, either.

Now you’re seated at your desk with the test in front of you.

You feel prepared. You know which test-taking skills to use if you get stuck on a question. Later, when you submit your exam, you feel fantastic because you know you did your best.

Sounds like an incredible morning, right?

But if you’re a nervous test taker, this dream scenario might sound like exactly that: a dream.

After speaking to and working with more than 20,000 students, I’m here to tell you this…

With the right tips, you can perform better on exams and overcome test anxiety, too.

Ready to learn more? Let’s explore my top test-taking strategies so you can ace your next exam.

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How to improve your test-taking skills

If you want to learn how to improve your test-taking skills, start by studying the different question styles.

I go in-depth on this in  The Complete Guide to Taking Tests and Exams — and reveal my top clues for choosing the correct response when you don’t know the answer.

In this article, let’s look at some tips for popular types of test questions:

Reading comprehension test-taking strategies

1. understand story structure.

Now it’s on to the next question. You can’t recall that answer either, so you head back to the start of the passage and read until you find it, too.

Third question … same process.

Here’s the problem with this approach…

You risk running out of time by continually re-reading the passage.

Save valuable test-taking energy by knowing where to look for the answers you need.

Reading sections typically have a beginning, a middle, and an end.

The opening sets up the story. Look here for questions about ‘when’ or ‘where’. The middle is where there’s a conflict or problem. Search here for more specific descriptions and details. The end of the passage resolves the issue or summarises the story.

2. Take notes as you read

Don’t be afraid to mark up your paper. Underline or circle key information. Recap paragraphs by jotting down a few words in the margin.

It’s great to understand the general framework of a reading passage. It’s even better if you’ve already made a note that immediately directs you to the answer.

Essay test-taking strategies

3. make an outline.

I know it’s tempting to immediately put pen to paper and let your thoughts flow — especially if you’re short on time.

But before you start your essay, take a few moments to write an outline. Even a few bullet points will keep your response organised.

4. Lead with a bang!

You’ll make a lasting impression with these test-taking strategies. And, if you run out of time, you’ll rest easy knowing that at least you wrote down your best ideas.

5. Be persuasive

With a true-false type of question, your answer is either right or wrong. But essay questions are less strict. Many teachers will give partial credit if you explain your thoughts clearly.

So make a statement and back it up with compelling evidence. Don’t forget to revisit your thesis in your conclusion.

Multiple choice test-taking strategies

6. read all the options in detail.

Maybe you’re 99.9% confident that A is the correct option. Still, take a moment to review all the options. You’ll avoid silly mistakes and submit your exam with confidence.

7. Double-check your bubble sheet/scantron

You’re shading in your second-to-last answer when you realise you skipped line 11 on your bubble sheet/scantron — and now all your responses are mismatched.

With only a few minutes left, you frantically start erasing everything and shading the answers again.

Avoid this stressful mistake. Always mark your chosen answer in both your test booklet and your bubble sheet/scantron. Take the extra second to ensure your answers line up after every question.

You’ve worked hard for this — don’t let an avoidable error get in the way of a good grade.

True-false test-taking strategies

8. watch out for negatives.

Cannot. Would not. Did not. 

Negative words are often misleading. You might mistake the question for its opposite meaning if you answer too quickly. Read these questions extra carefully.

9. Take a guess!

Don’t leave a question blank. This goes for any test question, but especially true-false questions since your chances of guessing correctly are 50/50.

If the clock is ticking and you don’t have time to read the remaining questions, answer ‘true’. Studies show that ‘true’ is the correct answer more than half the time.

More test-taking tips

Now that we’ve reviewed some tips for tackling different types of questions, here are some of my proven test-taking tips.

Preparing for the test

I don’t believe in last-minute study hacks. That’s why many of my top test-taking strategies are about learning to become a more effective student. Let’s get started.

10. Practise confidence

Confidence is a skill — not a feeling that comes and goes.

Confident test-takers embrace the process. They don’t get fixated on good grades.

Instead, confident test takers know that mistakes are okay, so long as they learn from them. The goal is progress, not perfection.

You might be thinking: “That sounds great, but how do I become more confident?”

Try an affirmation.

An affirmation is a positive statement about yourself that you say frequently.

“I am hardworking.”

“I am capable of getting good grades.”

“I am disciplined.”

Affirmations aren’t wishful thinking. Studies show that repeating positive statements can calm nerves, increase confidence, and improve your chances of a positive outcome.

When you feel the anxiety starting to rise, repeat your affirmation. Take slow, deep breaths.

Confidence is like any other skill — it takes practice. Give yourself time to harness your test-taking confidence, and you will see the rewards.

11. Study the right way

If you want to get good grades, you need to understand the material.

Those last-minute cramming sessions? Research says they don’t work.

Instead, set up a study schedule. Adequate planning will help you stay focused, manage your time wisely, and eliminate distractions.

Remember, just like when you’re learning how to get good grades , it’s about studying more effectively, not studying harder.

If you need help with your study schedule and planning, check out my Straight-A Student Weekly Checklist .

12. Get up and move

It’s time to get moving.

Just as I pointed out in my article on time-management tips for students , your brain loves exercise. Twenty minutes of activity is all it takes to improve brain functions like memory, attention span, and thinking.

Regular exercise also helps you manage stress and anxiety, which is an essential part of maintaining your mental health .

Researchers are still learning why, but one theory is that physical activity releases dopamine and serotonin, which improve your mood.

Make exercise a part of your pre-exam routine. Before the exam, take a short brisk walk or do some other form of light exercise.

Before the start of the test

It’s the day of your big exam. You’ve used the tips above to prepare. You’re visualising success and repeating your affirmations. That’s great!

Keep it going with these test-taking strategies:

13. Create a morning routine

We all have days when we’re a bit frazzled — just don’t let that morning be on test day.

A morning routine will help. Practise it every day, not just before exams. Your routine might include:

• Eating a healthy breakfast
• Doing light exercise
• Using the restroom before class
• Arriving at school 15 minutes early

What’s important is that your morning routine works for you.

14. Create an exam checklist

Like a morning routine, your exam checklist will ensure you arrive feeling prepared for your exam, without any last-minute stress.

Make a list of everything you need to bring with you for the test. For example, your list might look like this:

• List of equations
• Water bottle

15. Avoid excessive caffeine

If you regularly consume caffeine, you shouldn’t change your routine at the last minute. But if you’re chugging that extra cup of coffee because you think it will help you focus, you might want to rethink that.

Excessive caffeine can cause anxiety , headaches, energy slumps, and jitters — all of which negatively affect your mental clarity.

Avoid consuming too much caffeine in the days leading up to your exam, too. It might help you get through your study sessions, but it can impact your sleep and energy levels come test day.

During the test

The moment is here. You’re seated at your desk, and you’re waiting for the teacher to distribute the exam papers.

Remember these additional test-taking strategies:

16. Listen to the instructions

It’s easy to zone out when your teacher is going over the instructions. After all, you’ve taken dozens or even hundreds of tests before. You know the drill.

Still, listen carefully to your teacher. You don’t want to lose points for not following the instructions. Plus, your teacher might reveal a clue or two that could be helpful during the test.

17. Stay focused — but take breaks when you need them

Your friend Jenny is already turning in her exam. Henry keeps fidgeting with his pen in the seat next to you. You look out the window and see students headed to soccer practice, which reminds you of everything you need to do before your weekend basketball tournament…

There are countless distractions during any exam, and just as you need to learn how to focus when studying , your job before taking a test is to build your concentration skills. Then, you’ll be able to focus on only your test.

That being said, if your mind wanders, take a quick break.

Check your posture. Get a sip of water. Stretch. Take a couple of deep breaths. It’s better to pause and actively refocus your attention than plough on ahead when you’re distracted.

If you find other thoughts or worries popping into your mind, write them down on a piece of paper. You’ll have plenty of time to come back to these recurring thoughts after the exam.

In The Complete Guide to Taking Tests and Exams , I share more tips on how to best manage your time during a test — including my number one trick to ensure you finish your exam on time.

18. Concentrate on what you know

That’s okay.

There are test-taking strategies you can use to make an educated guess and improve your odds of answering correctly. (More on that below.)

Maintain your confidence. Concentrate on what you do know.

Skip the questions you’re unsure of. You can always come back to them later and make an educated guess.

19. Know that your teacher wants you to do well

Even that super strict teacher who loves assigning trick questions and long essays?

Yes, even your most challenging teacher wants you to succeed.

Knowing that, if you have a question, don’t be afraid to ask!

Your teacher can’t give you the answer, but they might be able to clarify the instructions. And if you have a question, someone else probably does, too.

20. Avoid talking about the exam after the exam

The bell rings. You turn in your exam and find your three closest friends. The polling begins.

What did you answer for Question 10?

What did you write about for that challenging essay question?

I know it’s enticing to learn if you and your classmates chose the same answers. But if your responses vary, it might make you more anxious than relieved.

And if you have other exams later that day or the following day? The unnecessary anxiety can throw off your concentration and performance.

When you prepare well, you submit your exam knowing you did your best — and that’s all that matters.

The ultimate test-taking guide

This article is just a sample of my proven test-taking strategies. They’ll help you to do better on your next exam, so give them a try!

But here’s what you need to know…

The tips I just covered? They’re only an introduction.

Over the years, I’ve discovered the ultimate blueprint for acing exams.

That’s why I put together The Complete Guide to Taking Tests and Exams .

The guide contains more than 90 proven test-taking strategies — and it’s a game-changer for any student who wants to perform better right away. I’m confident that if you apply these tips, your grades will improve by at least 20 to 30%.

Wishing you all the best for your next exam!

July 29, 2021 at 6:50 am

Thanks a lot for the the wonderful and helping test taking strategies.

please assist, I still need studying strategies.

July 29, 2021 at 7:45 am

You’re welcome. I think this article will help too: https://www.daniel-wong.com/2015/08/17/study-smart/

August 18, 2021 at 10:59 am

Thank you for the great advice and tips. Have a blessed day!

August 18, 2021 at 11:51 am

You’re welcome. May you have a blessed day too!

May 16, 2022 at 7:05 am

Hi Daniel read through this article can I know the link so that I can share to my friend who is in education line.

May 16, 2022 at 8:49 pm

Hi Faith, sure — I’m guessing that you’re asking for the URL of this article? If so, the URL is: https://www.daniel-wong.com/2021/07/14/test-taking-strategies/

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Essay Exams

What this handout is about.

At some time in your undergraduate career, you’re going to have to write an essay exam. This thought can inspire a fair amount of fear: we struggle enough with essays when they aren’t timed events based on unknown questions. The goal of this handout is to give you some easy and effective strategies that will help you take control of the situation and do your best.

Why do instructors give essay exams?

Essay exams are a useful tool for finding out if you can sort through a large body of information, figure out what is important, and explain why it is important. Essay exams challenge you to come up with key course ideas and put them in your own words and to use the interpretive or analytical skills you’ve practiced in the course. Instructors want to see whether:

• You understand concepts that provide the basis for the course
• You can use those concepts to interpret specific materials
• You can make connections, see relationships, draw comparisons and contrasts
• You can synthesize diverse information in support of an original assertion
• You can justify your own evaluations based on appropriate criteria
• You can argue your own opinions with convincing evidence
• You can think critically and analytically about a subject

What essay questions require

Exam questions can reach pretty far into the course materials, so you cannot hope to do well on them if you do not keep up with the readings and assignments from the beginning of the course. The most successful essay exam takers are prepared for anything reasonable, and they probably have some intelligent guesses about the content of the exam before they take it. How can you be a prepared exam taker? Try some of the following suggestions during the semester:

• Do the reading as the syllabus dictates; keeping up with the reading while the related concepts are being discussed in class saves you double the effort later.
• Go to lectures (and put away your phone, the newspaper, and that crossword puzzle!).
• Take careful notes that you’ll understand months later. If this is not your strong suit or the conventions for a particular discipline are different from what you are used to, ask your TA or the Learning Center for advice.
• Participate in your discussion sections; this will help you absorb the material better so you don’t have to study as hard.
• Organize small study groups with classmates to explore and review course materials throughout the semester. Others will catch things you might miss even when paying attention. This is not cheating. As long as what you write on the essay is your own work, formulating ideas and sharing notes is okay. In fact, it is a big part of the learning process.
• As an exam approaches, find out what you can about the form it will take. This will help you forecast the questions that will be on the exam, and prepare for them.

These suggestions will save you lots of time and misery later. Remember that you can’t cram weeks of information into a single day or night of study. So why put yourself in that position?

Now let’s focus on studying for the exam. You’ll notice the following suggestions are all based on organizing your study materials into manageable chunks of related material. If you have a plan of attack, you’ll feel more confident and your answers will be more clear. Here are some tips: 

• Don’t just memorize aimlessly; clarify the important issues of the course and use these issues to focus your understanding of specific facts and particular readings.
• Try to organize and prioritize the information into a thematic pattern. Look at what you’ve studied and find a way to put things into related groups. Find the fundamental ideas that have been emphasized throughout the course and organize your notes into broad categories. Think about how different categories relate to each other.
• Find out what you don’t know, but need to know, by making up test questions and trying to answer them. Studying in groups helps as well.

Taking the exam

Read the exam carefully.

• If you are given the entire exam at once and can determine your approach on your own, read the entire exam before you get started.
• Look at how many points each part earns you, and find hints for how long your answers should be.
• Figure out how much time you have and how best to use it. Write down the actual clock time that you expect to take in each section, and stick to it. This will help you avoid spending all your time on only one section. One strategy is to divide the available time according to percentage worth of the question. You don’t want to spend half of your time on something that is only worth one tenth of the total points.
• As you read, make tentative choices of the questions you will answer (if you have a choice). Don’t just answer the first essay question you encounter. Instead, read through all of the options. Jot down really brief ideas for each question before deciding.
• Remember that the easiest-looking question is not always as easy as it looks. Focus your attention on questions for which you can explain your answer most thoroughly, rather than settle on questions where you know the answer but can’t say why.

Analyze the questions

• Decide what you are being asked to do. If you skim the question to find the main “topic” and then rush to grasp any related ideas you can recall, you may become flustered, lose concentration, and even go blank. Try looking closely at what the question is directing you to do, and try to understand the sort of writing that will be required.
• Focus on what you do know about the question, not on what you don’t.
• Look at the active verbs in the assignment—they tell you what you should be doing. We’ve included some of these below, with some suggestions on what they might mean. (For help with this sort of detective work, see the Writing Center handout titled Reading Assignments.)

Information words, such as who, what, when, where, how, and why ask you to demonstrate what you know about the subject. Information words may include:

• define—give the subject’s meaning (according to someone or something). Sometimes you have to give more than one view on the subject’s meaning.
• explain why/how—give reasons why or examples of how something happened.
• illustrate—give descriptive examples of the subject and show how each is connected with the subject.
• summarize—briefly cover the important ideas you learned about the subject.
• trace—outline how something has changed or developed from an earlier time to its current form.
• research—gather material from outside sources about the subject, often with the implication or requirement that you will analyze what you’ve found.

Relation words ask you to demonstrate how things are connected. Relation words may include:

• compare—show how two or more things are similar (and, sometimes, different).
• contrast—show how two or more things are dissimilar.
• apply—use details that you’ve been given to demonstrate how an idea, theory, or concept works in a particular situation.
• cause—show how one event or series of events made something else happen.
• relate—show or describe the connections between things.

Interpretation words ask you to defend ideas of your own about the subject. Don’t see these words as requesting opinion alone (unless the assignment specifically says so), but as requiring opinion that is supported by concrete evidence. Remember examples, principles, definitions, or concepts from class or research and use them in your interpretation. Interpretation words may include:

• prove, justify—give reasons or examples to demonstrate how or why something is the truth.
• evaluate, respond, assess—state your opinion of the subject as good, bad, or some combination of the two, with examples and reasons (you may want to compare your subject to something else).
• support—give reasons or evidence for something you believe (be sure to state clearly what it is that you believe).
• synthesize—put two or more things together that haven’t been put together before; don’t just summarize one and then the other, and say that they are similar or different—you must provide a reason for putting them together (as opposed to compare and contrast—see above).
• analyze—look closely at the components of something to figure out how it works, what it might mean, or why it is important.
• argue—take a side and defend it (with proof) against the other side.

Plan your answers

Think about your time again. How much planning time you should take depends on how much time you have for each question and how many points each question is worth. Here are some general guidelines: 

• For short-answer definitions and identifications, just take a few seconds. Skip over any you don’t recognize fairly quickly, and come back to them when another question jogs your memory.
• For answers that require a paragraph or two, jot down several important ideas or specific examples that help to focus your thoughts.
• For longer answers, you will need to develop a much more definite strategy of organization. You only have time for one draft, so allow a reasonable amount of time—as much as a quarter of the time you’ve allotted for the question—for making notes, determining a thesis, and developing an outline.
• For questions with several parts (different requests or directions, a sequence of questions), make a list of the parts so that you do not miss or minimize one part. One way to be sure you answer them all is to number them in the question and in your outline.
• You may have to try two or three outlines or clusters before you hit on a workable plan. But be realistic—you want a plan you can develop within the limited time allotted for your answer. Your outline will have to be selective—not everything you know, but what you know that you can state clearly and keep to the point in the time available.

Again, focus on what you do know about the question, not on what you don’t.

Writing your answers

As with planning, your strategy for writing depends on the length of your answer:

• For short identifications and definitions, it is usually best to start with a general identifying statement and then move on to describe specific applications or explanations. Two sentences will almost always suffice, but make sure they are complete sentences. Find out whether the instructor wants definition alone, or definition and significance. Why is the identification term or object important?
• For longer answers, begin by stating your forecasting statement or thesis clearly and explicitly. Strive for focus, simplicity, and clarity. In stating your point and developing your answers, you may want to use important course vocabulary words from the question. For example, if the question is, “How does wisteria function as a representation of memory in Faulkner’s Absalom, Absalom?” you may want to use the words wisteria, representation, memory, and Faulkner) in your thesis statement and answer. Use these important words or concepts throughout the answer.
• If you have devised a promising outline for your answer, then you will be able to forecast your overall plan and its subpoints in your opening sentence. Forecasting impresses readers and has the very practical advantage of making your answer easier to read. Also, if you don’t finish writing, it tells your reader what you would have said if you had finished (and may get you partial points).
• You might want to use briefer paragraphs than you ordinarily do and signal clear relations between paragraphs with transition phrases or sentences.
• As you move ahead with the writing, you may think of new subpoints or ideas to include in the essay. Stop briefly to make a note of these on your original outline. If they are most appropriately inserted in a section you’ve already written, write them neatly in the margin, at the top of the page, or on the last page, with arrows or marks to alert the reader to where they fit in your answer. Be as neat and clear as possible.
• Don’t pad your answer with irrelevancies and repetitions just to fill up space. Within the time available, write a comprehensive, specific answer.
• Watch the clock carefully to ensure that you do not spend too much time on one answer. You must be realistic about the time constraints of an essay exam. If you write one dazzling answer on an exam with three equally-weighted required questions, you earn only 33 points—not enough to pass at most colleges. This may seem unfair, but keep in mind that instructors plan exams to be reasonably comprehensive. They want you to write about the course materials in two or three or more ways, not just one way. Hint: if you finish a half-hour essay in 10 minutes, you may need to develop some of your ideas more fully.
• If you run out of time when you are writing an answer, jot down the remaining main ideas from your outline, just to show that you know the material and with more time could have continued your exposition.
• Double-space to leave room for additions, and strike through errors or changes with one straight line (avoid erasing or scribbling over). Keep things as clean as possible. You never know what will earn you partial credit.
• Write legibly and proofread. Remember that your instructor will likely be reading a large pile of exams. The more difficult they are to read, the more exasperated the instructor might become. Your instructor also cannot give you credit for what they cannot understand. A few minutes of careful proofreading can improve your grade.

Perhaps the most important thing to keep in mind in writing essay exams is that you have a limited amount of time and space in which to get across the knowledge you have acquired and your ability to use it. Essay exams are not the place to be subtle or vague. It’s okay to have an obvious structure, even the five-paragraph essay format you may have been taught in high school. Introduce your main idea, have several paragraphs of support—each with a single point defended by specific examples, and conclude with a restatement of your main point and its significance.

Some physiological tips

Just think—we expect athletes to practice constantly and use everything in their abilities and situations in order to achieve success. Yet, somehow many students are convinced that one day’s worth of studying, no sleep, and some well-placed compliments (“Gee, Dr. So-and-so, I really enjoyed your last lecture”) are good preparation for a test. Essay exams are like any other testing situation in life: you’ll do best if you are prepared for what is expected of you, have practiced doing it before, and have arrived in the best shape to do it. You may not want to believe this, but it’s true: a good night’s sleep and a relaxed mind and body can do as much or more for you as any last-minute cram session. Colleges abound with tales of woe about students who slept through exams because they stayed up all night, wrote an essay on the wrong topic, forgot everything they studied, or freaked out in the exam and hyperventilated. If you are rested, breathing normally, and have brought along some healthy, energy-boosting snacks that you can eat or drink quietly, you are in a much better position to do a good job on the test. You aren’t going to write a good essay on something you figured out at 4 a.m. that morning. If you prepare yourself well throughout the semester, you don’t risk your whole grade on an overloaded, undernourished brain.

If for some reason you get yourself into this situation, take a minute every once in a while during the test to breathe deeply, stretch, and clear your brain. You need to be especially aware of the likelihood of errors, so check your essays thoroughly before you hand them in to make sure they answer the right questions and don’t have big oversights or mistakes (like saying “Hitler” when you really mean “Churchill”).

If you tend to go blank during exams, try studying in the same classroom in which the test will be given. Some research suggests that people attach ideas to their surroundings, so it might jog your memory to see the same things you were looking at while you studied.

Try good luck charms. Bring in something you associate with success or the support of your loved ones, and use it as a psychological boost.

Take all of the time you’ve been allotted. Reread, rework, and rethink your answers if you have extra time at the end, rather than giving up and handing the exam in the minute you’ve written your last sentence. Use every advantage you are given.

Remember that instructors do not want to see you trip up—they want to see you do well. With this in mind, try to relax and just do the best you can. The more you panic, the more mistakes you are liable to make. Put the test in perspective: will you die from a poor performance? Will you lose all of your friends? Will your entire future be destroyed? Remember: it’s just a test.

Works consulted

We consulted these works while writing this handout. This is not a comprehensive list of resources on the handout’s topic, and we encourage you to do your own research to find additional publications. Please do not use this list as a model for the format of your own reference list, as it may not match the citation style you are using. For guidance on formatting citations, please see the UNC Libraries citation tutorial . We revise these tips periodically and welcome feedback.

Axelrod, Rise B., and Charles R. Cooper. 2016. The St. Martin’s Guide to Writing , 11th ed. Boston: Bedford/St Martin’s.

Fowler, Ramsay H., and Jane E. Aaron. 2016. The Little, Brown Handbook , 13th ed. Boston: Pearson.

Gefvert, Constance J. 1988. The Confident Writer: A Norton Handbook , 2nd ed. New York: W.W. Norton and Company.

Kirszner, Laurie G. 1988. Writing: A College Rhetoric , 2nd ed. New York: Holt, Rinehart, and Winston.

Lunsford, Andrea A. 2015. The St. Martin’s Handbook , 8th ed. Boston: Bedford/St Martin’s.

Woodman, Leonara, and Thomas P. Adler. 1988. The Writer’s Choices , 2nd ed. Northbrook, Illinois: Scott Foresman.

You may reproduce it for non-commercial use if you use the entire handout and attribute the source: The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

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Essay Tests

College degree finder.

Most college exams contain essay sections. Science and humanities majors are required to take numerous essay tests. Essay questions are used to assess how effectively students recall, analyze, and organize information. Essay questions are typically subjective since questions can be answered multiple ways. However, most professors only give full credit to essay questions if certain topics are addressed. Professors often award students points if answers are supported well, even when key points are missing.

Utilize these tips in the following order to score well on an essay test:

Preparing Before The Test

Practice writing essays under timed conditions prior to the exam. Find questions in a work or textbook or create questions. Ask a classmate to create an essay question to practice. Refrain from using textbooks and notes when practicing.

Determine whether your professor, a teacher’s aide, or another person will be grading essay questions, and then determine that individual’s grading criteria. Some professors prefer answers to be supported with facts, while others evaluate the cohesion of students’ arguments. If the teacher’s assistant will grade essays, provide multiple facts to support claims and refrain from making unorthodox arguments.

Read All Directions Carefully Before Answering

Students often miss points on essays because they neglect to follow instructions. Look for the following instructions when reading essay questions:

• Are answers to be provided on notebook paper, a blue book, or the exam?
• Do you have options about how many and what questions to answer?
• Are there a specific amount of topics you must include in answers?
• Are there specific instructions about how essays are to be written? (i.e. double space responses or write at least a page)
• Are dates required within answers?
• Are names of people and places required to be included within responses?
• What types of examples are appropriate for responses?

If you currently don’t understand the following words and phrases, familiarize yourself with them before taking an exam with essay questions:

• the same as
• assume that
• the opposite of
• only one correct choice
• all but one

Allocated Your Time Appropriately

Manage time wisely when responding to essay questions. Devote more time to questions with higher point values, but devote the same amount of time to each question when assigned multiple questions of equal point values. Be sure you have enough time before finishing to review answers. Plan to spend some time preparing an outline for each essay question.

Make Sure You Thoroughly Read and Understand Questions Before Answering

Thoroughly read essay instructions before writing responses, especially when there are multiple questions to choose from.

Essay directions provide instructions about whether you’re required to compare and contrast two viewpoints, summarize a series of events, make and support an argument, etc. Divide difficult questions into manageable sections to ensure every part of the question is adequately answered. Write margin notes to remain on task while writing responses. Clarify confusing questions with the professor.

Carefully Examine Instructions for Directional Words

Essay question instructions provide specific directions about how questions are to be answered. Students need to understand what different words and phrases within essay questions mean to adequately respond. The following words and phrases frequently appear in essay instructions:

• Compare and Contrast – Demonstrate the similarities and differences between two topics
• Analyze – Provide in-depth analysis about a topic
• Support or Defend – Take a specific stance and support it with facts or logical arguments
• Critique – Evaluate a topic from multiple perspectives
• Describe – Provide multiple facts about a specific topic, event, person, etc.
• Evaluate – Support an opinion with facts, empirical evidence, logical anecdotes, etc.
• Illustrate – Provide examples to support a position or answer a question
• Demonstrate – Provide specific details to show why a particular event occurred
• List or Name – Provide specific facts to answer the question
• Prove – Develop a supported argument to defend a position
• Justify – Similar to prove, provide facts to support an argument
• Trace – Provide step-by-step analysis to illustrate factors contributing to an event
• Summarize – Provide a comprehensive summary of a topic

Pick a Title

Develop a title for every essay response. Titles are useful for staying on topic and avoiding redundancies. Titles should list the topic and your perspective.

Organize and Outline the Answer

Students who excel at writing essays typically spend a portion of the essay developing an outline. Develop an outline to organize an essay response and ensure all questions are adequately answered. Students who’ve sufficiently prepared for the test typically do not have to spend a lot of time developing outlines. As a result, they can spend more time writing and refining essay responses.

Before developing the outline, list general points. These points are typically the separate section questions. Underneath or next to each general point, list specific points that will be used to support an argument or answer a question. Attempt to recreate the outline you developed while practicing for the test.

Once you’ve developed the outline, determine the order you’ll address each point in the essay. Essay structure is typically affected by the subject and type of question. Use the following tips to organize your response:

• Generalized information is funneled to specific details: Students make generalized arguments that are supported with specific details
• Chronological list: Events or steps are presented in chronological order
• Compare and contrast: Evaluate a position from multiple perspectives, including the similarities and differences or positive and negative aspects of each position

In addition to outlines, there are various other ways to organize content. Students often use bubble maps, flow charts, tables, or herringbone maps to organize essays.

Put a lot of effort into and get excited about the essay. Relate personally to the topic and take time to consider movies or books you enjoy that relate to the topic, even though you will not refer to popular books and movies in your essay.

Employ Methodical Writing

Organize your response as you would a 5 paragraph essay. Every response should include a brief introduction, thesis statement, and three body paragraphs (each with topic sentences that effectively identify supporting arguments), and a conclusion.

• The thesis statement should identify your argument and supporting points
• Subsequent paragraphs should contain effective topic sentences that identify the main point of the paragraph. The remainder of the paragraph should support the topic sentence.
• In the conclusion, re-summarize your main arguments, but do not add new information.

Thoroughly support points with facts and logical arguments. Utilize transitional words and phrases, such as in addition, moreover, although, unlike, etc., to transition to new ideas.

Use multiple examples to support each argument. Avoid 1-2 sentence paragraphs, but do not be too wordy. Write clearly and directly.

Don’t Waste Space

Closely follow writing instructions, but if none exist, do not fill up space by using large handwriting. Skip a line between paragraphs, unless instructed otherwise, and if you’re required to write at least a page, be sure to meet minimum space requirements. Some professors might consider a student’s efforts to fill space as proof he or she does not understand the material.

Check and Re-check Your Work

Give yourself enough time to review essay question responses. Be sure you thoroughly answered the question, presented coherent arguments, and effectively organized the essay. Also check for legibility, proper punctuation and grammar usage, and spelling errors.

What If You Prepared for Different Questions?

Students frequently prepare for certain questions, but different questions often show up on the test. If given options, select questions you’re able to thoroughly answer. Identify ambiguities in difficult questions and present logical arguments.

What To Do If You Run Out of Time

If you have more questions to answer, and time is an issue, create short outlines with main points that you would use to answer the questions. Write a brief note indicating that time had expired since some professors will award partial credit.

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College Success Guide: Test Taking Strategies

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Test Taking Strategies

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Strategies For Specific Question Types

You can gain even more confidence in your test-taking abilities by understanding the different kinds of questions an instructor may ask and apply the following proven strategies for answering them. Most instructors will likely use various conventional types of questions. Here are some tips for handling the most common types. 

• If there are multiple right answers, does the instructor expect you to choose just one, or do you need to mark all correct options?
• Then consider  all  the options.
• Eliminate first the options that are clearly incorrect.
• Compare the remaining answers with your own answer before choosing one and marking your paper.
• If you are stuck, treat the remaining answers as True/Fale statements. This often helps pick the correct answer.
• Absolute words like “never,” “always,” “every,” or “none” are rarely found in a correct option.
• Less absolute words like “usually,” “often,” or “rarely” are regularly found in correct options.
• Be on the lookout for the word “not” in the stem phrase and in the answer choice options; it is an easy word to miss if you are reading too quickly, but it completely changes the meaning of the possible statements.
• There are often clues in later questions. Or, you may recall information that you had forgotten
• Do not leave any questions blank, unless there is a penalty for wrong answers (this is often on standardized tests like the SAT and LSAT but rarely on college tests.)

**Used from Creative Commons:  Chapter 6: Preparing for and Taking Tests . in College Success.  Authored by:  Anonymous.  Provided by:  University of Minnesota.  Located at :  http://www.oercommons.org/courses/college-success/view .  License :  CC BY-NC-SA-4.0

• View the entire Test Taking Strategies lesson here
• Most of the tips for multiple-choice questions apply here as well.
• Be particularly aware of the words “never,” “always,” “every,” “none,” and “not” because they can determine the correct answer.
• Answer the questions that are obvious to you first. Then go back to statements that require more thought.
• If the question is stated in the positive, restate it to yourself in the negative by adding the word “not” or “never.” Does the new statement sound truer or more false?
• If you still are unsure whether a statement is true or false and must guess, choose “true” because most tests include more true statements than false (but don’t guess if a wrong answer penalizes you more than one left blank).
• Entire Lesson on Test Taking Strategies
• Start by looking at the two columns to be matched. Is there an equal number of items in both columns? If they are not equal, do you have to match some items in the shorter column to two or more items in the longer column, or can you leave some items unmatched? Read the directions to be sure.
• If one column has a series of single words to be matched to phrases in the other column, read all the phrases first, then all the single words before trying to make any matches. Now go back and read each phrase and find the word that best suits the phrase.
• If both columns have single words to be matched, look to cut down the number of potential matches by grouping them by parts of speech (nouns with nouns, verbs with verbs, etc.).
• As always, start by making the matches that are obvious to you, and then work on the ones that require more thought. Mark off all items you have already used so you can easily see which words or phrases still remain to be matched.
• Short answer questions are designed for you to recall and provide some very  specific  information (unlike essay questions, which also ask you to apply critical thinking to that information). When you read the question, ask yourself what exactly the instructor wants to know. Keep your answers short and  specific .
• Essay questions are used by instructors to evaluate your thinking and reasoning applied to the material covered in a course. Good essay answers are based on  your  thoughts, supported by examples from classes and reading assignments.
• Careful planning is critical to answering essay questions effectively. Note how many essay questions you have to answer and how difficult each question seems. Then allocate your time accordingly.
• Watch for words that describe the instructor’s expectations for your response (see the table below.)
• Use other parts of the exam, like multiple choice, to help you recall vocabulary or specific information.
• Jot down the specific information you might want to use, such as names, dates, and places.
• For example, rather than writing, “In our study of the Civil War, it is helpful to consider the many facets that lead to conflict, especially the economic factors that help explain this important turning point in our nation’s history,” write a more direct and concise statement like this: “Economic factors help explain the start of the Civil War.”
• Allow time to proofread your essay. You want your instructor to want to read your essay, not dread it.
• Remember that grading essays is are largely subjective, and a favorable impression can lead to more favorable grading.
• Be sure to answer all parts of the question. Essay questions often have more than one part. Remember, too, that essay questions often have multiple acceptable answers.

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More TIps for Success

More tips for success.

• Schedule a consistent study and review time for each course at least once a week , in addition to your class and assignment time. Keep to that schedule as rigorously as you do your class schedule. Use your study time to go through the steps outlined earlier; this is not meant to be a substitute for your assignment time.
• Get yourself in the right space.  Choose to study in a quiet, well-lit space. Your chair should be comfortable but provide good support. Remember that libraries were designed for reading and should be your first option.
• Minimize distractions.  Turn off your cell phone and get away from Facebook, television, other nearby activities, and chatty friends or roommates. All of these can cut into the effectiveness of your study efforts. Multitasking and studying don’t mix.
• If you will be studying for a long time, take short breaks at least once an hour.  Get up, stretch, breathe deeply, and then get back to work. (If you keep up with your daily assignments and schedule weekly review sessions for yourself—and keep them—there should be almost no need for long study sessions.)
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Test types & their strategies.

So much of effective test-taking stems from how you prepare for the test. You want to study so that you know the content inside and out, forwards and backwards, etc., and then be able to take what you know and apply it to unfamiliar scenarios/problems/questions. Then, you want to take this learning you've done, and use it to prepare for the type of test you're going to have: you'll prepare and practice the content differently for an essay test than you will for a multiple choice test or a problem-solving test.

Once you've engaged in this multi-level preparation, it can be helpful to have test-taking strategies that are specific to the types of questions you'll be asked. Read on for strategies you can use in multiple choice tests, essay question tests, and problem solving tests, too.

  MULTIPLE CHOICE TESTS       

Multiple choice tests can feel tricky sometimes. Because they're designed to make sure you know the information, these tests often include more than just recognition, vocabulary, and knowledge-level questions; they often require you to compute, to apply concepts to new situations, and to think critically about what you've learned in the course. You have to know the course material backwards and forwards, and be able to take what may seem like unfamiliar material on the test and apply what you've learned to that point in order to deduce your answer.

So yes, the way that you practice what you've learned and how you prepare for the test will matter. But there are also techniques and strategies for taking multiple choice tests that can help you in the moment, too:

On your first pass through the test, don't guess on questions. Answer the questions you know, and mark the ones you don't know or are unsure of so that you can revisit them later. If, on a second visit to the question, you’re still unsure of the answer, try out some problem-solving strategies:

• Critically read the question . Underline key concept words as well as absolute words like "never," "all," and "always."
• Try to answer the question without looking at the answers . Seeing if you already know or can calculate the answer without seeing choices can help you reduce confusion over similar answers.
• Read and consider all of the answers . You need to select the BEST answer, even though there may be more than one good answer (Van Blerkom, 2010). Try to select the answer that is more true than the other answers.  
• Narrow down distracting answers . When you're unsure of an answer, eliminate answers you know are incorrect so that you're choosing from a shorter list of possible answers.
• Look for clues in other questions . At times, tests include clues or bits of information that jog your memory, and these may show up in other questions or portions. Use these clues to help you answer the question you are unsure of.

If you still have no idea what the answer to the question is, you can try some strategic guessing. Please note: the following guessing strategies aren't meant to be used if you already know the answer, or if you can make an educated guess!

• Try to spot decoys or distractors . Rule out any answers that don't make sense given common sense or the scope of course content.  
• Beware of the “all of the above” answer . If one possible answer doesn’t apply, don’t choose “all of the above;" however, if 2 or more answers are correct, chances are that "all of the above" is correct.
• Consider the length of the answers . Often times the correct choice is the longer one that includes the most information.
• Beware of two similar answers . Test-makers may use two similar choices to confuse you. If you’re going to guess, pick one of the two.
• Take a guess . Cross out the answers you know are wrong, then make your best educated guess between the remaining possibilities. Some instructors randomize answer options, so looking for patterns in the answers is a waste of your test time and can lead you astray.
• Answer every question . Even if you're guessing, be sure to choose an answer. If you've marked questions to return to, get back to them when you've answered the questions you're certain of and choose from the above strategies to select your best answer.

    ESSAY TESTS/QUESTIONS    

• Spend time writing out answers to questions : What's your process? How long does it take you? Where do you get stuck?
• Create questions you think might be on the test : Practice your outlining/brainstorming/essay forming, and consider how much time you'll have to work on such a question on test day
• Consider your supporting content : Know what articles/theories/researchers/writers/etc. that you might use to support your answer. You might want to use content from lecture discussions or online posts. Be sure you know what's expected of you in terms of citations!
• Practice making connections : How is the course material linked, or how is it building on ideas? How might you create opposing arguments, or write a critical analysis of text you've covered, or... (and again: all in the time that you're allotted for the test)

When you step into the test, think about how you might engage in the following strategies as you work to complete your essay question answers:

During the exam:

• Create a schedule for yourself . If six questions are to be answered in sixty minutes, allow yourself seven minutes each (assuming questions are equally weighted). When the time is up, move to the next question. After you've finished all six of the 7-minute sessions, take the time that remains (it's not a lot, but can be used effectively) to finish any answers you weren't able to in the moment. If it comes to it, and you're close to the end of your time, leaving an outline of what you planned to do/compare/critique/conclude can help your instructor have an idea of your next steps, and may provide you with partial credit (something you can ask about before the exam).
• Before you start working on the exam, read through all of the questions . Jot down whatever comes to mind when you read the prompts, and dump any dates or names or articles that you don't want to forget. Doing this up front can free up your head to focus completely on the question at hand. And, this strategy can help to reduce anxiety by reminding you how much you know.
• Be sure you understand the question . Before you write your answer, be sure you understand what's being asked. If it isn't clear, and/or you're not sure, ask for clarification. Underline key wording of the question (i.e., “name three” or “compare and contrast”) to be sure you’re answering the question completely.
• Outline the answer before you begin writing . If your answer is well organized, compact, complete and clear, your instructor will be impressed! And, if for some reason you're unable to finish the answer, having an outline of where you were planning to go with your answer can illustrate to your instructor what your overall essay arc would've been, and demonstrate your thought process.
• Include an introduction and conclusion . The introduction may be a rewording of the question into a statement containing your main point. A compact conclusion, highlighting the main points and tying the main ideas into a neat bundle, should follow the body of the answer. Both the introduction and the conclusion should be concise.
• Reread the paper before turning it in . When we rush, we tend to
• misspell words 
• omit words and parts of sentences
• omit parts of questions
• mis-write dates and figures (1353 as 1953; $.50 as $50, etc.)
• If you're not sure, offer approximates rather than specifics . Naming a date incorrectly could throw your entire answer off. If you aren't 100% sure, it's a good idea to write something like "During the early years of Impressionism" rather than "In 1864" if you're not entirely sure that it really is in 1864. More often than not, and unless otherwise noted, approximation is perfectly acceptable.

After the exam, once it's been returned to you, make time to go over it! Take note of what you did right, and also note what you missed and why. Reviewing the exam can save you hours of worry before the next test because you're making yourself consciously aware of your knowledge gaps and at the same time reassuring yourself about your strengths. If you don’t understand the score and/or comments that you received, talk to your professor — it’s the fastest way to identify what was missing or misunderstood, and to become more effective, not only in your future exams but in class as you continue to learn the material.

    PROBLEM SOLVING TESTS  

As with each of the above test-types, it will be important for you to practice the types of problems you might be asked to solve on the exam. And not just once but many, many times. This kind of problem-solving practice gets you into test-taking shape because you're engaging in the repeated practice of

• identifying problem types
• determining which formula you might use or how you might solve for the answer
• explaining how you reached this conclusion and what will be happening in each of the steps you're about to take

As you feel more and more comfortable with the content, it's important to practice with problems that are different than the ones you've already seen in the homework or the book. Our information on problem solving tests and the strategies you might use in the test-moment can be found here .

Bottom line:

Try these strategies out. See how they work for you, and if you have any questions or want to make things work even better, come and see us in the ASC: Waldo Hall 125 | Monday through Friday | 9 AM to 5 PM. You don't need an appointment, you can just drop in when it's convenient. We talk about this stuff all the time with students. We know you're coming in with test-taking strategies that have worked in the past, but those strategies might not translate into OSU with as much effectiveness as you'd like. So please, come and see us: this is what we do and we're here to help!

WE'RE HERE TO HELP:

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Essay Test Tips-Help

• Read the directions carefully. Pay close attention to whether you are supposed to answer all the essays or only a specified amount (e.g. "Answer 2 out of the 3 questions).
• Make sure that you understand what the question is asking you. If you're not, ask your instructor.
• Make sure that you write down everything that is asked of you and more. The more details and facts that you write down, the higher your grade is going to be.
• Budget your time, don't spend the entire test time on one essay.
• If the question is asking for facts, don't give your personal opinion on the topic.
• When writing your essay, try to be as neat as possible, neater papers usually receive higher marks.
• Make an outline before writing your essay. This way your essay will be more organized and fluid. If you happen to run out of time, most instructors will give you partial credit for the ideas that you have outlined.
• Don't write long introductions and conclusions, the bulk of your time should be spent on answering the question(s) asked.
• Focus on one main idea per a paragraph.
• If you have time left at the end, proofread your work and correct any errors.
• Budget your time. If you have an hour to write 3 essays, spend no more than 20 minutes on each essay, then if you have time left over at the end go back and finish any incomplete essays.
• If you aren't sure about an exact date or number, use approximations e.g. "Approximately 5000" or "In the late 17th century."
• If you make a mistake, simply draw a line through it, it is much neater and quicker than erasing it.

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Academic Success

Test taking strategies, preparation for a successful exam day.

• Attend class regularly
• Avoid cramming spread out study sessions days or weeks before the test; you will have less stress.
• Organize your study area to reduce interference. Make sure that you have all the necessary materials before you begin studying. Some students study better if they have a regular spot which they can go to.
• Summarize notes for studying. You should have approximately three to five pages of key terms, ideas, and review material. It is also a good idea to draw diagrams, charts, maps, etc. for visual aid.
• Study from old tests if allowed by the professor.
• Ask about test format find out if it will be multiple choice, essay, true or false, or a combination of these so that you will know how to study best.
• Form a study group not just for the night before the exam, but one that meets throughout the semester.
• Teach it to someone if you can teach the material to someone then you can be sure that you know it.
• Over learn it is better if you over learn the material because then you will be able to recall it more quickly on exam day.
• Study your outline before the test use only your summary of notes to study so that you are not reading all your material again.
• Relax for a little while before the exam.
• Sleep being rested is very important. You are likely to recall more of what you have learned if you are awake and alert.
• Eat well. Watch you caffeine and junk food intake. Small, frequent high protein meals will help energize you.

Strategies For Multiple Choice Tests

• Narrow your choices down by eliminating obviously wrong answers which are almost identical.
• Try to decide what the answer to the question is before you read all of the choices, but: Be sure to read all answers before selecting one. Sometimes two answers will be similar and only one will be correct.
• Do not be afraid to change an answer if you feel strongly about it.
• Do not be discouraged if you cannot answer a question. Leave it and go on. You may find the answer or clues to the answer in subsequent questions.
• Beware of questions with “no”, “not”, and “none.” These words easily change the meaning of questions.

If you have to guess:

• Reject answers that use specific determiners such as: everyone, always, never, etc.
• Look for grammatical inconsistencies which may help eliminate wrong answers.
• Choose the longest, most precise answer.
• Choose the answer that is in the middle.
• Choose answers which use qualifying terms such as: often, most, etc.
• Choose the answer which first caught your eye.

All of these hints work best when used together. It is important to note that nothing will help you do better than studying for a test.

A Test Taking Self-Analysis Key For Multiple Choice Tests

If you don’t do well on multiple choice tests, it’s important to find out why. Read the following statements and note which apply to you. It is important to identify the problem area before you can work to improve your test-taking skills.

• Information Gap  - I don’t remember encountering this material at all or I glossed over it or did not have it in my notes.
• Retention Gap  - I studied this but could not call it up from memory.
• Misinterpretation of Information  - I incorrectly understood the information when I initially read the text or heard it in lecture.
• Synthesis Gap  - I did not make connections between pieces of information.
• General Vocabulary Gap  - I did not know the correct meaning or assumed an incorrect meaning of general vocabulary.
• Course Specific Vocab Gap  - I did not know or assumed an imprecise meaning of a term.
• Inability to Decipher  - I could not get past the grammatical structure of the question or response.
• Jumping to Conclusions  - I did not fully consider all the responses.
• Rushed Response  - I did not have time to consider the question carefully.
• Over/Under Generalization  - I eliminated too much or did not eliminate enough.
• Misreading  - I made decoding errors in reading the question or response.
• Miskeying  - I knew the correct answer but copied the wrong response on the answer sheet.
• Memory Strategies Not Applied  - I didn’t consciously apply a variety of memory strategies to transfer information into long-term memory.
• Test Answers Not Checked  - I didn’t use extra test time to review my answers.

Strategies For Essay Tests

• Read all of the questions before beginning, making sure that you understand what the professor is asking. LOOK FOR KEY TERMS.
• Begin by answering the easiest question. This will lessen frustration and build confidence.
• Jot down ideas which immediately come to mind. Especially those which include specific vocabulary from the course.
• Make a simple outline of what you will write about.
• Be sure to keep track of time. *You should spend more time on questions which are worth more points.*
• Try to write as neatly as possible and leave some space for added ideas or corrections.
• Before turning your test in, read your answers a final time in order to check for grammatical errors and misspellings.

Words To Watch For In Essay Questions

The following words are commonly found in essay test questions. Understanding them is essential to success on such questions. If you want to do well on essay tests, then study this page thoroughly. Know these words backward and forward. To heighten your awareness of them, underline the words when you see then in a test question.

If any of these terms are still unclear to you, go to your unabridged dictionary. Thorough knowledge of these words helps you give the teacher what he/she is requesting.

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The Essay Test-Taking Strategy

The  Essay Test-Taking Strategy  is designed to help students deal effectively with the complex test-taking demands of courses in school as well as the essay test-taking demands associated with state competency tests--including high-stakes tests--and college entrance exams. Students are taught to analyze essay questions, organize information, write their answers with a specific structure, and revise with edits to create polished products.

In studies, at-risk students who received instruction in the strategy earned an average score of 5 percent of the points available for essay test-taking behaviors before instruction. After instruction, they earned an average score of 85 percent of the points available. In addition, essay answers produced after instruction received higher ratings than those produced before instruction.

This product is available through Edge Enterprises, Inc.

Please note that professional development, coaching, and infrastructure support are essential components to effective implementation of SIM instructional tools and interventions. It is highly recommended that you work with a SIM professional developer. See the SIM Event list for sessions or email [email protected] to learn more.

Author(s): Charles A. Hughes, Jean B. Schumaker, and Donald D. Deshler

Publication Info: Edge Enterprises, 2005

• The Essay Test-Taking Strategy Research (.pdf)

RESEARCH ARTICLES

• *Woods-Groves, S., Alqahtani, S. S., Balint-Langel, K. & Kern, A. (2018). Electronic essay writing with postsecondary students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Education and Training in Autism and Developmental Disabilities.
• *Woods-Grove, S., et. al, (2014). An Investigation of Strategic Writing Instruction for Post-Secondary Students with Developmental Disabilities. Education and Training in Autism and Developmental Disabilities.
• *Woods-Groves, S., Therrien, W. J., Hua, Y., & Hendrickson, J. M. (2013). Essay-Writing Strategy for Students Enrolled in a Postsecondary Program for Individuals With Developmental Disabilities. Remedial and Special Education, 34(3), 131-141.
• Woods-Groves, S., Hughes, C.A., Therrien, W. J., Hua, Y., Hendrickson, J., & Shaw, J. (2012). Effectiveness of an essay writing strategy for post-secondary students with developmental disabilities. Education and Training in Autism and Developmental Disabilities. 47, 2, 210-22.
• Therrien, W.J., Hughes, C.A., Kapelski, C., & Mokhtari, K. (2009). Effectiveness of an essay test-taking strategy on students with learning disabilities performance on persuasive essays. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 42 (1). 14-24.

An accessible version of the documents on this site will be made available upon request. Please contact the KU CRL Professional Development Research Institute, at [email protected] to request the document be made available in an accessible format.

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Technology-Enhanced SIM Learning

At the CRL, we wish to support teachers instructing in varied teaching and learning environments. 

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Essay Test Tips

Everyone has different methods of studying for test(s). The following are just suggestions to improve your study skills.

• Estimate the time. Determine how much time you have to spend on the essay. If you have one hour to take three essays, allow yourself only 20 minutes per essay. Watch your time closely.
• Read directions carefully. Pay close attention to whether you are to answer the entire essay questions or only a specified amount (i.e., "Answer 2 out of the 4 questions").
• Pay close attention to key instruction words. Read the question carefully looking for key words that request a specific "take" on the answer. These words include "analyze," "list," "describe," "explain," "identify," "explain," "compare," and "contrast."
• Make an outline. Before writing the essay make an outline to organize your thoughts. Write your ideas in the margin of your test or on a separate sheet of paper. An outline will help you stay focused as you write.
• Write legibly. The grader must be able to read the essay in order to grade it. Write in complete sentences and paragraphs.
• Proofread. If time allows, proofread your work. Did you say what you intended? Correct grammar and spelling errors.

Math Test Tips

• Do the homework assignments daily. Most math subjects build on each other, and if you do not learn the first concepts in the class, you will have difficulty understanding the new ones. Doing the homework assignments is also very good practice for the test.
• Write down all hard to remember formulas, equations, and rules as soon as you get the test. When you get to a problem that requires a formula, you will not have forgotten it.
• Read directions carefully. Make sure you answer all parts of the questions.
• Show all work. Partial credit may be awarded. Write as legible as possible.
• Skip hard problems. If you come to a hard problem, skip it and come back to it later if time permits.
• Recheck problems. If you have time after finishing the test, recheck problems. One wrong sign could change the answer.
• Write legibly. The grader can not give partial credit if he or she is unable to read the steps you used to find the answer.

Multiple/Choice Test Tips

• Answer all questions in order. Don't skip around. You may forget to go back and answer them later. Identify doubtful answers by marking in the margin and review these if time permits after all questions have been answered. Do not linger too long on any one question.
• Read questions carefully. Watch for qualifying words that can change the meaning of the question. Circle them if it will help you interpret the question
• Words like always , never , completely , and only are absolutes. These terms define concepts as right or wrong.
• Watch for words like not , least , and except . It is easy to forget that you are supposed to select the negative response.
• Anticipate the answer. Answer the question before looking at the possible choices.
• Eliminate answers. If you are not sure of the answer, eliminate choices you know are not right.
• Go with your first choice. If you have second thoughts about your answer, trust your first instinct, unless you are absolutely sure you were wrong.
• Don't look for answers to fall in a pattern. They usually don't.
• Don't leave answers blank. If there is no guessing penalty, always take an educated guess and select an answer.
• Check your test over when you are finished. Look back at questions you marked questionable; something in the test might have helped you remember the correct answer.

Preparing for Tests

• Review notes daily. Review your class notes while they are still fresh in your mind.
• Manage your time. Make sure you have enough time to study. Don't try pulling an all-nighter. Start studying at least a week ahead of time. Study a little every day.
• Find a comfortable place to study. Make sure there is good lighting and little distraction.
• Attend the class before test day. Take careful notes and ask any questions about any items you may not understand. Know what to expect.
• Review - Go over your notes, the textbook, and other assigned readings.
• Organize your notes. Highlight important concepts, information, and formulas. Rewrite these on one sheet or on a series of index cards.
• Make flashcards. A good way to memorize terminology is to make flashcards using cheap index cards.
• Understand the material. Know the material. Don't just read through the material and try to memorize everything.
• Form Study Groups. If you choose to study in a group, study only with those who are serious about studying.
• Find a Tutor. Contact the Center for Learning and Teaching for the availability of tutors in the subject. Do not wait until the day before the test to seek help.
• Get plenty of Sleep. Make sure you get plenty of sleep the night before the test.

The Day of the Test

• Relax. If you have studied and are prepared, just relax, take a nice walk, or do a little exercise.
• Eat before the test. Do not skip the meal before your test. Try eating a light snack just before the test. Avoid heavy foods that will cause you to become sleepy. Drink plenty of water.
• Arrive Early. Show up at least 5 to 10 minutes before the test will start.
• Bring all supplies needed - Come prepared with pencils, calculator, dictionary, or any other approved or required supplies.
• Bring a watch. When you get your test, look it over to plan your time for each part of the test. Remember to allow a few minutes at the end to look back over the test when you are finished.
• Be Positive. Keep a positive attitude throughout the entire test and stay relaxed. If you feel overwhelmed, just take a few deep breaths and continue.
• Put your name on the test. Before you do anything to the test, make sure you put your name on the test and on the answer sheet.
• Expect some anxiety. Being concerned will help you do your best on the test.
• Remember others may finish before you - Don't worry if others finish before you; just concentrate on the test in front of you. You are allowed to use the full time that is allotted.
• Review the test. Before turning the test in, double check that you have not left any questions unanswered. Make sure your name is on the test.

Short Answer/Fill-In Test Tips

• Make flashcards. Write key terms, dates, and concepts on one side of an index card and the definition, event, and explanations on the other side of the card.
• Anticipate questions. Think of questions that might be on the test and practice answering them. Most professors will emphasize what will be on the test.
• Short answers - Read the questions carefully and make sure you provide everything that it asks.
• Answer all questions. If you are not sure of the complete answer, write what you do know. Sometimes professors will give partial credit.
• Answering fill-in the blank questions. There may be various answers. However, the professor usually is looking for a specific answer related to the material studied.

Test Anxiety

• Think Positive. Replace all your negative thoughts with positive ones.
• Improve ways you prepare for a test - Read Preparing for Tests on this site or check out the pamphlets on testing available in the Center for Learning and Teaching.
• Seek help. The Center for Learning and Teaching has tutors available for many of the basic subjects.
• Learn to relax. Do some muscle relaxation exercises the night before the test and in the morning. Exercise will relieve the stress and sharpen the mind.
• Do not wait until the last minute to prepare for a test - Start studying from the first day. Review all notes right after the lecture and every other day until the test.
• Get plenty of rest. Do not stay up to cram all night for the test. Your body needs plenty of rest to function properly.
• Eat before taking the test. Don't skip a meal. Eat a light snack just before taking the test. Fresh fruits and vegetables are commonly recommended to relieve stress. Avoid stressful foods such as processed foods, artificial sweeteners, carbonated soft drinks chocolate, eggs, fried foods, junk foods, spicy foods. Avoid high sugar content (candy), which may aggravate your condition.
• Wear comfortable clothes. Dress in layers to accommodate test room temperature. Wear loose-fitting clothes.
• Arrive early. Avoid putting too many tasks on the day of the test. Concentrate only on being relaxed.
• Avoid negative test takers. They will encourage you to think you cannot do well.
• Pick your seat. If seating is not assigned, pick a seat that will have few distractions, possibly a seat up front and away from the door.
• The test is in your hands. Take a deep breath. You can do this. You are prepared, and you know the material. Before even looking over the test, write down any important formulas, facts, definitions and/or keywords in the margin so you won't worry about forgetting them.
• Do essay and short answer questions first. The material is fresh in your mind, and you will not have to worry remembering ideas when you get to them later in the test. With Multiple/Choice, True/False and Matching, the answer is right there in front of you, and the ideas may be easier to recall later in the test.
• Focus on what you are doing. Don't let your mind worry about what grade you will get or that others are finished before you. Keep your mind focused.
• Control anxiety. Stop, turn your test over, close your eyes and take a few deep breaths to clear your mind. Now turn the test back over and begin again. You can do this.
• Evaluate the test experience. After the test, list the strategies that worked and stick to them. List what did not work and look for ways of improving.
• Seek help. If you still have major test anxiety, seek help. CMU provides counselors free of charge to current CMU students. Counselors may be reached on campus at ext. 58274.

True/False Test Tips

• Think strategically. Usually there are more true answers than false. If there is no penalty for guessing, do not leave the answer blank; you have a 50% chance of getting it right.
• Watch for modifying or limiting phases - Make sure names, dates, and places are accurate.
• Watch for key words. Qualifiers like never and always means the statement must be true all of the time. Usually statements with these qualifiers are false. Qualifiers such as sometimes, often, frequently, ordinarily or generally means the statement can be either true or false depending on the circumstances. These qualifiers often indicate true answers.
• Long statements. If any part of the statement is false, the whole statement is false.

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How to Improve Your Test-Taking Skills: Top Tips & Strategies

Are you dreading your upcoming test because you feel unprepared? Or are you simply looking to refresh and improve your test-taking skills? In this article by Custom-Writing.org experts, you’ll find a collection of excellent test-taking tips and strategies. Even if you only have one day to prepare for your test, you’re sure to use some of them.

• 🤓 Preparing for the Test
• ❓ Different Types of Questions
• 🌚 The Night Before
• ✍️ Taking the Test
• 🔚 After the Test

1. 📅 Test-Taking Strategies: Planning

2. 🤓 Test-Taking Tips: Preparing for the Test

3. ❓ Test-Taking Tips: Different Types of Questions

If your test includes a mix of different question types, make sure you prepare for them, and learn strategies to help you with each one. Even if it’s a learning style test that doesn’t need any real preparation, you still need to know what to expect from it.

3.1. Test-taking Tips for a Multiple-choice Test

• Read the questions carefully. Check whether each asks you to choose one or multiple answers.
• Try to think of the answer to the question . Do that before looking at the options. It will help you make sure that the other options don’t influence your response.
• Guess the answers if you’re not sure . Don’t forget to take a little mark next to the question so that you can recheck it if you have time.

3.2. Test-taking Tips for a Short-answer Test

• Read the questions carefully. Underline the keywords (e.g., define, compare, analyze, argue, etc.).
• Don’t write more than you need to answer the question . But if you think your answer may not be precise enough, add a little more to make sure that you get your point across.
• Use the keywords from the question in your answer.

3.2. Test-taking Tips for an Essay Test

• Read the questions carefully . Then write down a rough outline. It will help you stay on track and avoid including unnecessary information.
• Answer each of the questions in your first sentence . Then provide supporting evidence to support your answer. Don’t start writing before you have a clear idea of your answer.
• Start with the most important points first . This is especially important if you’re running out of time.
• Double-space . You need space to edit your answer afterward if you notice mistakes or want to add something.

4. 🌚 Test-Taking Tips: the Night Before the Test

5. ✍️ Best Tips for Taking the Test

6. 🔚 Test-Taking Tips: After the Test

• Take note of how you can improve next time. After the test, while it’s still fresh in your mind, think about what you can do differently next time.
• Celebrate! After all of that hard work, take some time to relax and celebrate with your friends and family. You may not have much time to celebrate just yet if you have more tests, but remember to take a break before you start preparing for the next one, especially if you have another one the next day.

Good luck with your tests! We hope you found these test-taking tips useful and that they help to reduce some of your stress. If you have any tips to add, please share them in the comments.

🔗 References

• Summary sheets | Tumblr
• 10 Failsafe Test-Taking Tips | Psychology Today
• Test-Taking: Tips | Academic Success Center | Oregon State University
• Test Taking Skills | School of Medicine
• Test Taking Tips | University of Minnesota Crookston
• Test-Taking Skills – BrainPOP
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