Test Taking Tips

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Test. It's a loaded word. Important...something to care about...something that can mean so much we get apprehensive thinking about it.

The best way to prepare for the test is through job experience and study of the codes and standards. Flashcards, seminars, self-study workbooks and textbooks will be helpful. However, nothing can substitute for studying the code, you must devote the time needed to understand the code and master the ability to apply it.

Test Taking Is:

What should you memorize? To start with Code Cards reference 200 key sections, memorize these. Code Cards are meant to be used in conjunction with the code book. Code Cards reference other sections to be looked up in the code book. You also need to read the exceptions and surrounding sections. Code Cards also reference important tables that you need to know how to use.

Each one of us will memorize material in slightly different ways. I have also noticed that some things are easier for us to memorize than others. Sometimes you will remember things after a few times and sometimes it will take hundreds of repetition Sooner or later the information will stick.

If you do not get it after 10 times then go for a hundred. If a hundred is insufficient then keep going! This is why it is so important to give yourself a lot of time before your exam. Good news - you can do it. Bad news - it may take a lot of time and effort. Don't worry, you will get the hang of it and it will all pay off in the long run!

Use your commute time to your advantage. Unfortunately, many people spend a lot of time going back and forth to work each day. Some people spend up to four hours a day commuting! So, my attitude is to try and find a way to make those hours helpful and productive. I have a couple of techniques for you to try out - if you are not driving (always be safe!) you can flip thru your flashcards. The more often you go thru them the better your chances of remembering.

Secondly, if you are driving you can make your own simple audio tapes. Get a recorder and make your own study tapes. These tapes can include your flashcards and the terms that you have to memorize. These tapes can be very simple and can be your flashcards read out loud or the definitions that you need to learn.

Another technique to keep in mind is the possibility of traveling with other people who have to pass the same exams. You can simply discuss the material that will be covered while in the car, bus, or train. So, start using your commuting time to your advantage! I know that staring out the window is fun but it does not do very much to help you pass your exam. Just think of how many hours you are talking about here. Plus, if you get a lot of your studying done on the commute that will leave you more time at home to go do fun things!

Wake up a few minutes early. Ah, the worst words that some people may ever hear! Sometimes, we all must do the impossible. This technique works well because it gives you some quiet study time - especially in a busy house. When you have no other choice you may have to take the tough choice. Also, it is a time of day that you can count on for sure. At night, or in the afternoon all sorts of distractions and reasons for not studying can pop up. On the other hand, not much is going on at 5:30AM! You may have to go to sleep earlier but millions of people change their schedules and they just get used to it - so can you. Please remember, I never said that all of this was going to be easy - I simply said that these techniques will work if you have the strength and conviction to actually use them. You can do it! Why not set your alarm early for tomorrow morning? Just a few minutes can be a big help.

Memory Tips.
Organize your information: use codes or rhymes to help trigger information; create a mental picture of what you are studying; learn by "rote," which is just repeating the material over and over.

To remember new material: say the answers out loud when studying; learn a little each day (don't cram); paraphrase the material to understand it better.

Concentration Tips.
Set aside a place where you will study that has minimum distractions. Eliminate any distractions that you can, and make the environment comfortable.

Make sure you have all your materials when you sit down to study: this may include pencils, pens, calculator, textbooks, paper, research materials, etc.

"Pencil technique" - always study with a pencil in your hand. Rewrite what you have read, your notes, key points, and questions.

Set time limits and stop studying before you are too tired to achieve the best concentration and retention.

Vary the activity - read the code book for awhile, then flip through some flashcards. Size the pipes of a diagram. Look something up in a table.

Build in breaks! Give yourself incentives - if you finish a long study session, give yourself a break and go visit friends, or at least do some something else that is more interesting.

Attitude
Attitude can be the difference between passing or failing. By this I mean how you approach a test mentally could greatly affect how well you do.

BE AGGRESSIVE. If you can't, the anxiety you're feeling will disrupt your concentration, cause mental blocks, and will keep you from doing the best you can.

Don't under-estimate yourself. YOU CAN PASS! Each of us learns at different rates and fatigue may cloud the obvious. If you "don't get it", find someone to explain it to you. You will do only as well as you tell yourself you are going to. If you tell yourself that you CAN'T do something, you won't. If you can convince yourself you can, nothing will stop you.

Improving your attitude
Take a deep breath and RELAX!

Psyche yourself up. Tell yourself and others that you're going to "kick the day-lights out of this test!" You CAN if you GO FOR IT!

Realize you will survive.

Taking Care of Yourself
If you haven't slept in three days, you'll have trouble remembering your own name, let alone code sections.

The information below is pretty basic, but people still typically blow it off. If you can approximate your normal sleep cycle and daily routine, you'll have a DEFINITE ADVANTAGE over the folks that don't.

Budget your time. Shoot for getting at least SIX HOURS of sleep per night. You will retain information BETTER if you're not falling asleep as you read.

Take a short walk before going to bed. It will give your mind a chance to finish processing the information you just learned and give you a chance to RELAX before going to bed. Plus the cool night air will help you sleep. The better you sleep, the more information you retain!

Eat real food, not junk food. You will need a lot of plain old PHYSICAL STAMINA to get through a test 3 to 4 hours long. Junk food has a lot of "empty calories and carbohydrates." Your mind and body need the "real things" to function.

Don't caffeine out! TOO MUCH caffeine means you won't be able to concentrate because you'll be easily distracted. The caffeine will also disrupt your sleep. After a while the caffeine won't keep you awake enough to study, but too awake to sleep. If you are going to quit studying in two hours, stop taking caffeine so you will have a chance to "come off your caffeine high" at about the time you want to sleep. If you are a caffeine addict, Excedrin have 65 mg of caffeine and doesn't make you have to use the bathroom.

Get a little light exercise in. Light is the operative word here. An occasional study break will help your retention.

Use some relaxation techniques. Take some deep breathes, get a back rub.

Test Smart
Get to the test site a little early. Get there early enough to relax and get your head straight, but not so early as to let the anxiety you left outside catch up with you.

Wear comfortable clothing. You don't earn points for fashion during exams.

Eat a candy bar (no nuts) shortly before the test to restore your energy level if you are tired. Take something with you too.

Don't eat a lot just before a test. Physically speaking your stomach would rob your brain of blood. Be a little hungry (of mind and body).

Relax. Flex/Stretch your muscles starting with your feet and then move up. Take a few slow, deep breathes

"Psyche" yourself up. Tell yourself, "When I'm done with this test, it's going to beg for mercy..."

Write any mnemonic mechanisms or formulas on your scratch paper, as soon as you can legally start the exam.

Read the instructions carefully.

Budget your time. Don't spend too much time on any one question.

Do the easiest question first. If you don't know the answer SKIP IT and go to the next question. Once you've finished the questions you know, you can go back to it.

Look for the answers/clues to questions you don't know in other questions. You'd be surprised.

If you hit a block, close your eyes, take a deep breath, and let it out slowly while trying to clear your mind.

Be careful of words like "always","never", or "sometimes".

Make educated guesses. If you don't know the answer, ELIMINATE the answers you feel unlikely, then choose from the remaining answers.

Always check over your answers. Make sure you didn't make any entering mistakes time permitting. Also the pressure may be lessened now so you might notice a question you answered incorrectly.

The Open-Book Test
People often think that they don't have to study for an open-book test, but a little preparation for this type of test can go a long way. Mark the book for key ideas. Use highlighters or other bookmarks to help quide you to key concepts and facts. Know where and how to access information quickly. Use the index and table of contents searching for key words. People often spend too much time leafing through the material; it's better to come to the test organized and prepared. Often, these tests can be tricky or require application of the material, so it's best not to be too nonchalant about an open-book test.

The Multiple Choice Test
If in doubt, go with your first impression--you can change it later upon more reflection.

With multiple-choice questions, eliminate obviously wrong options right way and choose among the remaining ones--your odds are better!

Use the test itself as a source of hints--information in one section can help you in another.

Check each section of the test after you've completely finished--often you'll catch simple mistakes or better answers will occur to you after you've seen the whole test.

Relax--it's only a test! (You'll actually do better if you're not worrying about the outcome... : )

Download and read How to Answer a Multiple Choice Question Correctly (Guessing)
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Test Anxiety
Test anxiety is the number one barrier to doing well on tests. Test anxiety is defined as that anxious feeling you get when you sit down to take a test and your mind goes blank.

First look at your attitude. The attitude you bring with you to a test has a lot to do with your performance. Replace negative self-talk with affirmations. Such as, "I am well prepared and will do well on this test." Approach tests with a positive attitude.

Relieving Test Anxiety
Be sure you are well rested before the exam.
Eat nutritious food before taking the test.
Exercise will help reduce tension and stimulate thinking.
Take a shower: warm water relaxes some people cold water stimulates others.
Allow yourself enough time to study without feeling rushed.
Develop a positive attitude.
Tell yourself that you can do this and believe in yourself.
Wear a watch or be sure you can see a clock.
Don't panic if you cannot think of an answer and DO NOT let that throw off your concentration for the rest of the test.
If you answer other questions, you just might trigger the memory for the missed answer.

Test Anxiety Checklist
_____I have made a list of relaxing and confidence building statements and have practiced them regularly.
_____I have practiced relaxation regularly, as well as right before the test.
_____I have my materials organized for the test (watch, pen/pencils, paper, scantron, calculator, other______________________).
_____I ate a light meal before the test.
_____I slept the night before the test (if you must cram do so 2 nights before the test).
_____I have avoided entering the classroom until just as the professor walks in ( so I don't have to hear other last-minute panic).
_____I have imagined I am doing my best on the exam. I can see myself looking over the test, writing answers, and feeling calm.
_____I have avoided nervous people prior to the test.
_____If I start to feel nervous, I will put my pencil down and make calming, positive statements while practicing my relaxation for a minute or so.

Test Timeline
The night before the test

Lay out comfortable clothes, books, keys and other necessary supplies to save you time in the morning. Make sure to include extra pens, sharp pencils, an eraser, and a calculator.

Instead of cramming the night before, take a drive to scout where the test is given. Actually go to the room. Some test sites are at large complexes and in the morning you will know right where to go.

Review your flash cards at bedtime then remind yourself that you are prepared and will do well on the test. Go to bed early enough to get a good night's rest.

It's TEST DAY
Upon awaking, relax and visualize the day in a positive light.

Do not skip breakfast. Eat a light breakfast that includes protein such as toast, cheese, yogurt, or cereal.

Take one note card and write down the most important information such as formulas, and key words that could be on the test.

Keep the card handy to review anytime anywhere prior to the test. Keep a healthy snack and a bottle of water handy.

Get to the exam at least ten minutes early. Take some deep breaths, hunch and relax your shoulders. Review your note card, then put it away.

Right Before the test
Stay positive. Do not worry. Avoid conversations that dwell on being unprepared.

Listen carefully to instructions. Read all of the instructions on the test.

If allowed, use scratch paper and write down the important information such as formulas, and key terms that you want to remember.

Answer all of the questions that you know first, then go back to the questions you were not sure about.

Do not panic. If you do not know the answer to a question, mark for review and move on. Sometimes when answering other questions, you jog your memory and the missing answer appears in your mind.

Take deep breaths to help you stay involved and focused.

Use all of the time available. When you have completed the test, check it over carefully, if time permits.

It's all over!
Congratulate and reward yourself for a job well done!
Now go do something fun!

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