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How to be a great test taker Sometimes it seems that life is just one big test. Pop quizzes. Chapter tests. Final exams. The daunting national examinations for those planning to go to college. You can’’t even get your driver’’s license without passing a test. "Tests are a part of life,’’ says Judy S. Richardson, professor of reading at Virginia Common wealth University in Richmond, Virginia. "We take tests all of the time. I recently had to take one, even at my age, just to apply for a research grant. We may have to take them to apply for a job; or to joint the armed forces." Importance of Tests Tests are not just commonplace; they’’re also important. "Our society places an emphasis on test scores," says Maureen D. Gillette, associate dean of the College of Education at William Paterson University in New Jersey. "Most colleges and universities look at SAT or ACT tests as a measure of a student’’s potential for success in college. Students should realize that some people and institutions will make certain judgments about them, whether accurate or not, based on test scores." Talk about pressure! With so much depending on the results, exams can be over whelming. But they don’’t have to be. The right frame of mind and the use of smart test taking strategies can help any student succeed. Benefits of Tests Too often, people take a negative view of tests. Yet they actually have some positive ’’features, according to Richardson. "Tests help us practice sharp, alert thinking," she says. "Answering test questions involves more than knowing a specific, literal answer. It also means knowing how to read between the lines, and then apply it to a situation. That is what we are expected to do every day, and so tests may help us be ready for that daily experience. Goals of Test-taking In addition to these benefits, though, the primary goal in test taking is to do well. For some students, the objective might be a passing score. For others, the desired outcome might be an A grade. But what is the best guarantee of doing well in the testing process Proper Preparation The most basic factor, experts agree, is preparation. "Always be prepared for the test,’’ Richardson advises. "Take notes, ask questions, read the material, guess what the teacher will be asking. Then when you see the test, you will have a confident reaction. You will be able to think clearly and do better on the test." On the other hand, failing to prepare is the biggest mistake you can make. This may seem obvious. But in addition to lacking the necessary knowledge, lack of preparation can weaken your mental state. "If you do not prepare all along, when you see the test, you may panic," Richardson notes. When fear creeps in, even the best student is unlikely to succeed. Making Use of Your Materials Preparing for exams can include a variety of strategies. At a minimum, any important material should be read at least once, and preferably more, until you have absorbed the main points. Simply scanning over textbooks or notes is not enough. "Reading it once is not studying," says Dr. Michael Epstein, professor of psychology at Rider University in New Jersey. He advocates taking a structured approach in which students review information both before a test and afterward. Before taking an exam, you should commit important concepts to memory through focused study. Try using whatever memory techniques work best for you. This might mean writing notes, asking yourself questions and then answering them aloud, or employing clever memory devices. Managing Time Key to the process is time management. Don’’t assume you can wait until the last minute and then make up for lost study time. Rather, be sure to prepare in advance. After all, you know tests will be coming up in virtually every course you take. Similarly, test dates for standardized test are published months ahead of the actual dates. "The most effective way to study for a test is to review briefly all along and then re view some more before the test," Richardson says. "Cramming is not too effective." Advance preparation need not be a solitary process. In fact, most teachers will work with you because they want students to succeed. So in the days or weeks preceding an ex am, make sure to consult with your teacher and determine just what to expect. According to Dr. Douglas B. Reeves, author of The 20-Minute Learning Connection, A Practical Guide for Parents Who Want to Help Their Children Succeed in School, asking questions far in advance of a test is always a good idea. Techniques of Advance Preparation "First, learn the rules of the game," "he says. "It’’s OK to ask the teacher what the test covers. Teachers appreciate it when students express an interest and want to do well. You are not cheating if you ask about the material on the test and the types of questions that will be used. Another strategy is to create practice test questions. Put yourself in the teachers shoes, "Reeves says. "How would you test someone about this material.’’ Of course, you can’’t create test questions unless you take time to read and learn the material." Don’’t just mimic the efforts of other students. Analyze your own learning style, and employ methods that work best for you. "Learn the ways you learn best," says Richardson. "I learn by taking notes and making charts. Some learn by making diagrams. Be active in listening to your teacher and reading the material. And try to summarize in your own mind what you learned each day. You can do this in the car on the way home, on the bus, and so forth--it takes just minutes to do." Another tip is to hone your writing skills. "Of all the skills you can practice, the mastery of nonfiction writing is the one that will help you most in almost any test situation," says Reeves. "Even with a multiple-choice test, practice writing the reasons that a given answer: is right or wrong. ’’ Tackling Standardized Tests What about standardized tests such as the SAT Many of the same strategies apply as for other types of examinations. In addition, it’’s wise to avoid getting caught up too much in the hype often associated with these exams. "Prepare, but don’’t stress out," says Gillette. "If you study hard during the year, take appropriate courses in school, and do some test preparation, it is likely that you will do fine." She adds that it can be worthwhile to take step such as purchasing commercially made practice test material, studying in small groups as well as alone, doing practice problems, and using the answer key to discuss right and wrong answers. "With measures like these, good students should have all the preparation they need," Gillette notes. "Many parents spend a lot of money on test preparation courses. Some people may value this route, but I really do not think it is necessary." On-line Preparation If you’’d like to learn more about test-taking strategies, check out books on the subject along with Web sites such as the one provided by the National Council of Teachers of English at www. ncte. org. But don’’t depend too heavily on the World Wide Web. "Remember, you can drown in Internet information," Reeves says. "When you are preparing for a test, you need focus, not 300 pages downloaded from the Web. Learn the rules of the game, get the information, you need, and then write practice questions and practice responses. That’’s your best plan." Before taking an exam, you shouldn’’t commit important concepts to memory through focused study.