To do well on a test, you must have good knowledge of the information that is being tested. But you must also have a strategy for taking the test that allows you to show what you know. The DETER strategy can help you do your best on any test. Each letter in DETER reminds you what to do.
D = Directions
Read the test directions very carefully.
Ask your teacher to explain anything about the test directions you do not understand.
Only by following the directions can you achieve a good score on the test.
If you do not follow the directions, you will not be able to demonstrate what you know.
E = Examine
Examine the entire test to see how much you have to do.
Only by knowing the entire task can you break it down into parts that become manageable for you.
T = Time
Once you have examined the entire test, decide how much time you will spend on each item.
If there are different points for items, plan to spend the most time on the items that count for the most points.
Planning your time is especially important for essay tests where you must avoid spending so much time on one item that you have little time left for other test items.
E = Easiest
The second E in DETER reminds you to answer the items you find easiest first.
If you get stuck on a difficult item that comes up early in the test, you may not get to answer items that test things you know.
R = Review
If you have planned your time correctly, you will have time to review your answers and make them as complete and accurate as possible.
Also make sure to review the test directions to be certain you have answered all items required.
Using the DETER strategy will help you do better on tests and get better grades.
Analyze - Analyze tells you to break something down into its parts and show how the parts relate to each other to make the whole. Analyze the factors that contribute to good health.
Compare – Compare tells you to show how two or more things are BOTH similar and different. Compare the forms of government found in the United States and in China.
Contrast – Contrast tells you to show how two or more things are different. Contrast the Republican and Democratic political platforms.
Define – Define tells you to explain the meaning of something in a brief, specific manner. Define what is meant by “living life to the fullest.”
Describe – Describe tells you to present a full and detailed picture of something in words to include important characteristics and qualities. Describe what it was like to live in ancient Rome.
Diagram – Diagram tells you to illustrate something by drawing a picture of it and labeling its parts. Diagram a modern commercial jet airplane.
Evaluate – Evaluate tells you to present both the positive and negative characteristics of something. Evaluate the impact of rap music on American youth.
Explain – Explain tells you to provide facts and reasons to make something clear and understandable. Explain why the American Civil War occurred.
Justify – Justify tells you to provide reasons and facts in support of something. Justify the need for the federal income tax.
List – List tells you to present information about something as a series of brief numbered points. List the ingredients needed to bake bread.
Outline – Outline tells you to present the most important information about something in a carefully organized manner. Outline what it takes to be successful in school.
Summarize – Summarize tells you to present the main points about something in a brief form. Summarize how Thomas Edison’s inventions have made our lives better.
Trace – Trace tells you to present the order in which something occurred. Trace the major events that led to America’s Declaration of Independence.
Many of the tests you take in school will be multiple-choice tests. Here are two types of items you will often find on multiple-choice tests.
1. An incomplete statement followed by several answer choices.
In this type of item, the missing part of the statement can be anywhere in the statement. You must circle the letter that represents the answer choice that correctly completes the statement. Usually there are four answer choices represented by the letters a, b, c, and d. Sometimes there are more than four answer choices.
The first president of the United States, , was known as the “Father of his country.”
a. Thomas Jefferson
b. Abraham Lincoln
c. George Washington
d. Theodore Roosevelt
2. A question followed by several answer choices.
In this type of item, you must circle the letter that represents the answer choice that correctly answers the question.
How many states make up the United States of America?
a. 48
b. 52
c. 46
d. 50
Sometimes, one of the answer choices is “all of the above.” In the following example, “e” is the correct answer choice because all of the foods shown are dairy products.
Which of the following foods are dairy products?
a. milk
b. ice cream
c. yogurt
d. cream cheese
e. all of the above
Other times, one of the answer choices is “none of the above.” In the following example, “b” is the correct answer choice because Argentina is the only country listed that is in South America. For “e” to be correct, none of the countries listed could be in South America.
is a country in South America.
a. Russia
b. Argentina
c. Mexico
d. Japan
e. none of the above
Guidelines When Taking Multiple-Choice Tests
Here are some guidelines that will help you correctly answer multiple-choice items.
Circle or underline important words in the item. This will help you focus on the information most needed to identify the correct answer choice.
Read all the answer choices before selecting one. It is just as likely for the last answer choice to be correct as the first.
Cross out answer choices you are certain are not correct. This will help you narrow down the correct answer choice.
Look for two answer choices that are opposites. One of these two answer choices is likely to be correct.
Look for hints about the correct answer choice in other items on the test. The correct answer choice may be part of another item on the test.
Look for answer choices that contain language used by your teacher or found in your textbooks. An answer choice that contains such language is usually correct.
Do not change your initial answer unless you are sure another answer choice is correct. More often than not, your first choice is correct.
Choose “all of the above” if you are certain all other answer choices in the item are correct. Do not choose “all of the above” if even just one of the other answer choices is not correct.
Choose “none of the above” if you are certain all other answer choices in the item are incorrect. Do not choose “none of the above” if even just one of the other answer choices is correct.
Knowing how multiple-choice items are constructed and using these guidelines will help you improve your score on a multiple-choice test.
Too much anxiety about a test is commonly referred to as test anxiety. It is perfectly natural to feel some anxiety when preparing for and taking a test. In fact, a little anxiety can jump start your studying and keep you motivated. However, too much anxiety can interfere with your studying. You may have difficulty learning and remembering what you need to know for the test. Further, too much anxiety may block your performance during the test. You may have difficulty demonstrating what you know during the test.
HOW DO I KNOW IF I HAVE TEST ANXIETY?
You probably have test anxiety if you answer YES to four or more of the following:
I have a hard time getting started studying for a test.
When studying for a test, I find many things that distract me.
I expect to do poorly on a test no matter how much or how hard I study.
When taking a test, I experience physical discomfort such as sweaty palms, an upset stomach, a headache, difficulty breathing, and tension in my muscles.
When taking a test, I find it difficult to understand the directions and questions.
When taking a test, I have difficulty organizing my thoughts.
When taking a test, I often “draw a blank.”
When taking a test, I find my mind wandering to other things.
I usually score lower on a test than I do on assignments and papers.
After a test, I remember information I couldn’t recall during the test.
WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT TEST ANXIETY?
Here are some things you can do before, during, and after a test to reduce your test anxiety.
Being well prepared for the test is the best way to reduce test taking anxiety.
Space out your studying over a few days or weeks and continually review class material. Don't try to learn everything the night before.
Try to maintain a positive attitude while preparing for the test and during the test.
Exercising for a few days before the test will help reduce stress.
Get a good night's sleep before the test.
Show up to class early so you won't have to worry about being late.
Stay relaxed, if you begin to get nervous take a few deep breaths slowly to relax yourself and then get back to work.
Read the directions slowly and carefully.
If you don't understand the directions on the test, ask the teacher to explain it to you.
Skim through the test so that you have a good idea how to pace yourself.
Write down important formulas, facts, definitions and/or keywords in the margin first so you won't worry about forgetting them.
Do the simple questions first to help build up your confidence for the harder questions.
Don't worry about how fast other people finish their test; just concentrate on your own test.
If you don't know an answer to a question skip it for the time being (come back to it later if you have time), and remember that you don't have to always get every question right to do well on the test.
Focus on the question at hand. Don't let your mind wander on other things.
When the graded test is returned to you, analyze it to see how you could have done better. Learn from your mistakes and from what you did well. Apply this knowledge when you take the next test.
You have to know the material to do well on a test. You have to control test anxiety to show what you know.