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• • Read the test directions slowly and watch for details. You may find that more than one answer may be possible on multiple choice tests. A key detail may require that you choose only three out of the five essay questions. Beware of negative words or prefixes such as un-, im-, mis- which will alter the meaning of the statement and double negatives that will make a statement positive; "not uncommon" for example actually means common.

  • Tackle the questions in the order that appeal to you most.  Usually, teachers put questions in the order you have learned the topics, with harder questions later on, but you are not required to answer the questions in that order. Doing well on a question that you feel relatively sure of will be reassuring and will free your mind of tension. The act of writing often unlocks the temporarily blocked mental processes; when you finish that question, you will probably find the others less formidable. On the other hand, you may be the type of person who wants to get the hard one off his mind first and save the easy ones “for dessert”.  Certainly, feel free to skip or to move on from a question that is not coming easily to mind.

  • Keep the point value and time allowance in mind. This may save you from a very common and panic-producing mistake such as taking twenty minutes of an hour test to answer a five-point question and then finding you have five minutes left in which to answer a twenty-point question! Work systematically, forcing yourself if necessary to do it. If you tend to rush at things, slow down. If you tend to dawdle, pace yourself. 

  • Write as neatly as possible while keeping to your time allotment. You are graded on accuracy, not neatness, but a neat paper may convince the instructor that the answer is organized and accurate. A messy paper has the opposite effect! 

  • Maintain a positive attitude. Don't let more difficult questions raise your anxiety and steal your valuable time. Move on and find success with other questions. Avoid watching for patterns. Noticing that the last four answers are "c," is not a good reason to continue with that pattern.

  • Rely on your first impressions. The answer which comes to mind first is often correct. Nervously reviewing questions and changing answers can do more harm than good.

  • Plan to finish early and have time for review. Return to difficult questions you marked for review. Proofread your essays and pay attention to grammar and spelling. Make sure you answer all the questions. Many students have failed to notice questions on the back side of the paper.

Sources:

• • Modified from Test-Taking Strategies: Preparing for Tests Taking Tests Reducing Test Anxiety from Pellissippi State Community College's Student Support Center

  • With points from Test-taking Strategies from Brigham Young University's Academic Success Center