Test Taking Tips

The big test day is here, and you’re feeling confident, prepared, and ready to ace it — but then the actual paper is set on your desk. Suddenly, it becomes hard to recall your knowledge, and you’re doubting every answer you’re putting down. Have you ever been there? With these test-taking strategies, you can succeed every time.Multiple Choice

• Read the entire question. While this may seem obvious, it can be easy to glance at a question, jump straight to the most logical answer, and move on. Take time to read all your options first.
• Are you stuck? Start by crossing out answers that you know are wrong.
• Don’t spend too much time on a question you feel stuck on; answer the questions you know first. Sometimes the easier questions can offer insight or information for tougher questions!
• Statistically, a positive choice is more likely to be true than a negative choice, as is a longer answer than a shorter one. If you must make an educated guess, keep this in mind.

Essays

• Reread the prompt several times before diving into an outline.
• Highlight the keywords and focus on how you can address them.
• After you’re sure you understand the question, “brain dump” your knowledge onto a planning sheet.
• Outline your essay topic by topic, and give each topic a number. Then, number the knowledge on your planning sheet so you know in which paragraph a fact belongs.
• Rephrase the question into a statement, and you often have the thesis statement for your essay. Make sure that you keep the keyword (or keywords) in your thesis statement.

Math and Science

• When preparing for exams, it’s important that you complete many test problems.
• Drill yourself on the formulas you’ll need to know, and write them over and over again to ensure you remember them.
• As soon as you get your test, write down the necessary formulas in the test margins or on the back of the test.
• After every test, ask your teacher for assistance so you can learn how to complete the problems you missed. Science and math often build on each other, and completed and confusing topics will surely be back.
• Rework previous homework assignments. Don’t just glance at questions; answer them again.
• Put together a study group of dedicated students. If you misunderstand something, there’s a good chance someone in your group will understand it or have notes that you don’t. You will be able to do the same for your group, and if you understand something others don’t, teaching it will make even more clear to you.

St. Cloud private schools proclaim the Gospel message within an academic environment of excellence that challenges students to be creative and critical thinkers. To learn more about what makes us different, contact us at 407-246-4800.