PREPARING FOR TESTS
The most important test-taking strategy is to prepare ahead of time. Here's a checklist to guide you:

• Decide what you need to study
• Make a study plan for major tests
• Find out as much as you can about the test
• Organize and assemble the materials you'll need
• Predict and practice answering test questions
• Participate in study groups or tutoring
• Use your study system and study aids
• Deal with sources of test anxiety before the test

TAKING TESTS
Here are some general test-taking strategies:

• Arrive on time and take a few moments to relax and focus
• Jot down memory clues of things you might be likely to forget
• Survey the test
• Budget your time
• Read all directions carefully
• Decide on a starting point; you may not have to start at the beginning
• You may want to do easy questions first and return to more difficult ones
• Guess or jot down partial answers rather than leaving items blank (if there is no penalty)
• Ignore other students
• Monitor and deal with your anxiety
• Check your work
• Learn from your mistakes

COMMON TYPES OF TEST-TAKING ERRORS IN MATH
Math tests pose special problems for many students. Here are some common errors to help you evaluate what you need to work on:

• Misread directions - not reading directions carefully
• Careless errors - can catch with reviewing your answers
• Concept errors - don't understand the principles required for the problem
• Application errors - know the concept, but can't apply it
• Test-taking errors - include missing items, spending too much time on one problem, solving only part of the problem, miscopying an answer, leaving too early without checking work

RESOURCES TO HELP WITH TEST-TAKING SKILLS
Different kinds of tests call for different approaches and strategies. Recognition tests include true-false, matching, multiple-choice formats. Recall tests include fill-in-the-blanks and essay questions.

• Check your college catalog for College Success and/or Study Strategies courses.
• Check out the library or bookstore for books on College Study Skills and/or College Success.
• Use the Web. Study Skills Websites includes some resources to get you started.
• Brigham Young University has an interactive website on Test-Taking Strategies that you might find fun and helpful.
• If you need further help, talk to your instructor, advisor or counselor for recommendations.

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