NextStudent Adivsors

Test-Taking Tips To Remember 

Approach Your Standardized Test With Confidence 

When it comes time to take your test, face the test with minimal stress, by developing a personal strategy during your test preparation. Some simple test-taking tips, along with study tips and practice, will help you to create a strategy for your upcoming standardized test.

Tips For All Tests 

All standardized tests share a few key characteristics. The tests are notorious for their multiple-choice, true or false, and computation-styled questions. Try using these tips for your test:       

·         Use the process of elimination, to make multiple-choice questions easier to handle. Also, rule out all answers that are obviously incorrect. Then, decide choose among the remaining answers, using your best-educated guess. 

·         Try this shortcut for questions that contain both “all of the above” and “none of the above” in the same answer set. First, read the question carefully. If there are two correct answers, then the best choice is “all of the above.”  If there is at least one correct answer, the “none of the above” option is incorrect. 

·         For math problems, determine your answer before looking at the solutions given. Then, you need to find the solution that fits with the answer you already determined. This process is faster than having to check four or more options separately. 

·         Try to figure out the difference among the choices given. Does one choice stand out? Is there a shared characteristic among all choices, except for one? 

·         With true or false questions, if there is any part of the question that is false, then choose false. Also, pay attention to the smallest words in each statement. A date may be correct, but a cleverly placed “not,” “or,” “and,” “is,” or “is not” can nullify the entire statement. 

·         Work through each math computation question without skipping a step. If you arrive at an incorrect answer, go back through your computation steps. Do not erase your choice and start over, because you may have just misplaced a sign or digit. 

·         Estimate a math problem first. You can then quickly eliminate choices that are not close to your original estimate. 

Preparation Tips 

Making your way through the test questions requires some planning. Here are some tips to help you prepare for the test. Also included here are some study tips: 

··         Use the practice materials. Practice materials contain study tips that will help you remain calm and confident throughout the test. Practicing first will also help you familiarize yourself with the material and format. Then, you will know what to expect, and can therefore concentrate on watching your time and answering the questions. 

·         Read everything carefully. Reading through the instructions and questions carefully will prevent your making needless mistakes. 

·         Answer the easy questions first; then, go back to the difficult questions. This process conserves time, and maximizes the number of correct answers. Do not waste time on any one question or section. Remember to give yourself a predetermined time limit for each question. And, if time permits, you can return to those questions that you did not answer. 

·         Arrive prepared. If allowed, have two or more #2 pencils handy, with good erasers.  In addition, have your admission ticket handy, as well as the same calculator you practiced with, or one that is similar.  Dress in layers of clothing that you can put on or remove, according to the climate in the test center. 

·         Practice, Practice, Practice. Remember that repetition familiarizes you with the test and the types of questions included. 

With these test-taking tips and study tips, you should do well. Just remember to relax, and stick to your original strategy, keeping in mind the tips noted above.