CHAPTER 9

Preparing for
Exams and Tests

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THIS CHAPTER WILL DISCUSS:
Preparing for tests and exams
Taking the tests and exams
Types of Tests
Overcoming test anxiety
Academic honesty and misconduct

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 Introduction
Prepare for exams in many ways, and certain methods are more effective
than others, depending on the subject matter, your preferred learning
style, and the type of test you’ll be taking. Sometimes you’ll need to be
able to recall names, dates, and other specific bits of information,
especially if you are taking a multiple-choice or short-answer exam.
Many instructors will expect you to go beyond what you read and have a
good conceptual understanding of the subject matter. They are not looking
for answers that merely prove you can memorize the material presented in
lecture and the text. They rather expect you to be able to provide the
reasons, arguments, and assumptions on which a given position is
based.They want you to be able to support your opinions so they can see
how you think.

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Preparing for tests and exams:

1- SUGGESTIONS 2-PREPARING 3-PREPARING 4-PREPARING FOR

PHYSICALLY EMOTIONALLY TAKING A TEST

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 Preparing for Tests and Exams
Believe it or not, you actually begin preparing for a test
on the first day of the term. All of your lecture notes,
assigned readings, and homeworks are part of that
preparation. As the test day nears, you should know how
much additional time you will need for review, what
material the test will cover, and what format the test will
take. It is very important to double-check the exam dates
on your syllabi and to incorporate these dates into your
overall plans for time management, for example, in your
daily and weekly to-do lists.

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Ask you instructor: about types of
questions, time and content. (never
miss the last class before the test)
General
Manage your preparation time wisely:
Suggestio
make a review schedule. Don’t wait
until it’s the night before the exam.
ns for
Preparatio
n
Focus your study: focus on what would
come in the exam

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Preparing Physically

Sleep well: avoid staying up very late the Exercise: walk, jog, etc to relieve stress. Eat right: light breakfast in the morning
test night. before the exam. Avoid greasy and acidic
foods. Avoid caffeine and sweets.

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 Know Know your material: this will give you confidence and
control.

Preparing Practice relaxing: if you feel anxious, try some relaxing

Emotionally Relaxing techniques or ask for help from centers in the

university.

Use positive self-talk. Make positive statements, such

Use as “I have attended all the lectures, done my
homework, and passed the quizzes. Now I’m ready to
pass the test!”

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 Preparing for Taking A Test
Find out about the test; format (essay, MCQs…etc) &
timing.
Design an exam plan; make a schedule for preparing( you
should be finished reading one week before the exam
date). Last week is for revision.
Join a study group; for the whole course or only for exams.
The members should finish assignments and studying
before they meet for discussion.
Get a tutor; can be free (support centers in the college).

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Taking the tests and exams

Test formats:
1- essay questions
2-MCQs
3- fill-in-the-blanks
4- True and False questions
5-Matching questions

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Tips for
Taking
Exams

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Tips for
Taking
Exams

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 Essay Questions Tips
1.Budget your exam time
2.Develop a very brief outline of your
answer before you start writing
3.Write concise, organized answers
4.Know the key task words in essay
questions

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Key task
words for
essay
questions

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Key task
words for
essay
questions

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 Multiple-Choice Questions
(MCQs) Tips
1. Try to find clues; items with absolute words
(always/never/only)tend to be incorrect.
2. Notice words like (not/except/but)before the choices.
3. Options that do not agree grammatically with the first part
of the item are usually incorrect.
4. Best way to answer is to cover the options and try to tell
the answer before you see them.
5. If you can’t decide the answer, leave the item for later.
Sometimes other questions give you answers.
6. If still unable to answer, guess if guessing is allowed.
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Fill-in-The-Blank Questions Tips
They are harder than MCQs.
Sometimes teachers use a number of
blanks reflecting the number of words, but
not always. Ask your instructor.

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 True/False Questions Tips
For a statement to be true, every aspect and part of it should be
true. So: pay attention to items with words like
(always/never/only), they are usually false. Those with (often/
frequently), are usually true.
Read all the exam questions, sometimes other questions give
you hints.
 Do not begin to second-guess what you know or doubt your
answers just because a sequence of questions appears to be all
true or all false.
Do not doubt your answers because there is a row of trues or
falses.

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 Matching Questions Tips
Usually come as two columns; one for terms
and the other for descriptions.
Prepare for them by studying with flash cards
that you prepare using recall columns of the
notes.
 Start by reading all terms and description
match the ones you are sure about first
eliminate one by one.
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 Types of Tests

PROBLEM- MACHINE- COMPUTERIZED LABORATORY OPEN-BOOK TAKE-HOME

SOLVING TESTS SCORED TESTS TESTS TESTS TESTS TESTS

ONLINE EXAMS

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Problem-solving Tests
These are for math and science.

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 Machine-scored Tests
Tips:
Follow the directions.
Provide all information (name/ name of
instructor/subject/section…etc).
Make sure that the number on the answer sheet
corresponds to the item number on the test paper
EVERY TIME YOU ANSWER AN ITEM.
Mark the test paper not the answer sheet.

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 Computerized Tests
there are 2 possibilities:
1- You can scroll down to see all the test.
2-You answer one by one item (you will not
be allowed to go back, so make sure you
answer all questions).

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 Lab Tests
For speaking or oral translation.
Make sure you prepare by recording your
practice so you can work on your
pronunciation after hearing your recording.

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 Open-book Tests
They are harder than other regular in-class tests.
Time is limited so you may not have time to check your book or notes, so
prepare well.
To make it faster to locate information in your notes or book, number your
notes pages, then create an excel sheet of 3 columns. Arrange topics
alphabetically and record page numbers in one column and notes on the
other.
Another way is to use color tabs for different topics and stick them to the
book or notes.
Monitor your time.
Don’t check information you know already.
Sometimes the reason for this type is to reference the answer. Ask your
instructor if you have to cite.

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 Take-home Tests
Also harder than in-class tests.
Usually essay format.
Read the directions and see how much time you need.
Manage your time wisely.
Be careful! Teachers expectations are higher than in-
class tests.
Check if collaboration is allowed. If not so, avoid
contacting colleagues.

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 Online Exams
Sit in quiet area away of distraction.
Make sure of time (time limit, due date).
Take a practice test if possible. This will familiarize you with the
interface.
If there is no time limit, take a break and come back to revise.
If there is a time limit but the site does not show a timer, use a
watch.
Put a notepad beside you to write if you need.
Make sure you save every page before leaving it so you can come
back and revise it before submission if allowed.

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 Test Anxiety

REASONS TYPES SYMPTOMS STRATEGIES TO GETTING THE TEST

OVERCOME TEST BACK
ANXIETY

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 Reasons for Test Anxiety
Pressure to succeed
Expectations of others
Lack of preparation
Negative prior experience

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 Types of Test Anxiety
Anxiety linked to standardized tests like IELTS or STEP test
(tips: positive self-talk and attending workshops for
preparations).
Anxiety linked to a specific test formats like essay
format( tips: practice by predicting questions and
answering them).
Anxiety linked to computerized tests. (tips: take practice
tests and ask the instructor about the structure of the test).
Anxiety related to a specific subject.(tips: self talk and
prepare well).

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 Symptoms of Test Anxiety
1.Butterflies in the 6. Shaking
stomach 7. Sweating
2.Nausea 8. Muscle cramps
3.Headaches 9. Going blank
4.Fast heartbeat
If5.Hyperventilating
your symptoms are severe, ask for
help from your advisor and physician.
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 Strategies for Combating Test Anxiety
1. Breathing deeply.
2. Stretching muscles before getting into the test room.
3. Sitting with shoulders back and relaxed and feet flat on
the floor. Relax your face muscles and don’t frown.
Stretch your fingers.
4. Create your run-away scene using all senses.
5. Use positive self-talk.
6. Be in the building early but do not wait near the test
room to avoid discussions of students.

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 Getting the test back
You may be anxious to get your test back, but
you need to see it to learn your mistakes and
their reasons (like not following instructions, or
overanalyzing MCQ) so you can avoid them
later.
You also need to make sure if there are any
errors counting marks and correcting.

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Academic Honesty and
Misconduct

Cheating Plagiarism

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 Cheating
Cheating is “intentionally using or
attempting to use unauthorized material,
information, notes, study aids, or other
devices [including] unauthorized
communication of information during an
academic exercise”.
E.g. looking at another student’s paper,
using the calculater if not allowed…etc.
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 Plagiarism
Plagiarism is Taking another person’s idea or
work and presenting it as your own.
In in-class tests, no need to cite in general. For
take-home and reports, you have to.
You have to make reference when: taking
another person's actual words, his theories or
ideas, and any information that is not common
knowledge.

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 Other misconduct acts
May include:
1. Unauthorized assistance.
2. Lying.
3. Inventing information or results.
4. Earning credit more than once with the same work without
permission.
5. Giving exam answers to another student during the exam or to
a student in another section before her exam.
6. Bribing for academic advantage.

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 Consequences of Cheating and
Plagiarism
Can be severe or life changing like:
1. Being suspended
2. Being expelled
3. Degree revoked
4. Loosing jobs
5. Facing a lawsuit
To avoid plagiarism, you can use some sites like
www.Turnitin.Com

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 Reducing The Likelihood of Academic
Dishonesty
Reasons of academic dishonesty:
1. Ignorance.
2. Cultural and campus differences.
3. Different policies among instructors (always ask
if something is allowed).
4. A belief that grades are all that matter.
5. Lack of preparations or inability to manage time.

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Guidelines
for
Academic
Honesty

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Thank you

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