Tips: Test Taking Skills

Questions to ask yourself about your strengths and weaknesses as a test taker; these may be especially useful after taking a practice exam

General as well as specific pointers for before, during, and after your test

How to improve your essay by writing economically, projecting confidence, and having a great first and last sentence

How to improve your essays by avoiding clichés and increasing originality

Advice geared specifically toward adult learners who need to prepare for exams

How to avoid pitfalls before test day

Strategies for reading and answering multiple-choice questions, plus pitfalls to avoid

Several quick hints for answering multiple choice questions

Becoming a better writer by reading more, choosing words carefully, and other strategies

What to do—and what NOT to do—on test day