Test-taking Strategies

Essay Exams - from the University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill)

I would add a few brief suggestions based on my own experience:  

• Use only the right-handed side of the blue book to write your answers.  That leaves the left-handed side free for adding corrections or illustrations.
• Number each sentence within the essay question and/or underline the key words. When you go back to re-read/edit your essay answer, you can be sure that you have responded to each sub-question asked within the larger question.
• Organize your answer - think: First..., second..., third...; or "In contrast to X, the approach of Y..." Well-organized answers are easier to read -- and often result in a higher grade :+)

Short-Answer Questions - from the University of Arkansas

Multiple-choice tests - from StudyGS.net

Finally -- all the "test-taking strategies" in the world won't help you if you don't know the material! Remember to apply active study strategies and review often -- so you can add substance to your test answers!