Tips For Responding To Test Questions

ESSAY QUESTIONS
    On a separate piece of paper, write a brief outline. This actually saves time in the end.
    When you read an essay question, be sure to circle all the component questions so you are sure to answer each part thoroughly. Use the question as your outline.
Example:
    Describe the Geography of Mesopotamia. What kind of resources did it have? Were there any problems?
            I. Geography description
                     II. Resources
                    III. Problems

SHORT ANSWER
   These questions are like little mini-essays. You won't need an outline but you will need to look carefully at the question to be sure you are answering it in the right way. You will write one to four or five sentences to answer the questions. 
    Essay and short answer questions often use key terms in the question that will tell you what kind of answer the teacher is looking for. Click here for a list of these terms and what they mean.

MULTIPLE CHOICE
    There are usually four options in a multiple choice question. Before you even look at the answer options, think about what you think the answer is. Then find the option that best fits the answer you came up with on your own.
    In a multiple choice question, there are usually two answers that are completely wrong and which you can eliminate immediately. Then you must choose between the right answer and the “teaser” answer. The wording can be similar which is why it is important to try to answer the question on your own first.

TRUE/FALSE QUESTIONS
    If the statement is absolute, it is probably false. For instance, statements that use “always” or “never” tend to be false. If you need to guess, guess true because it is harder for test creators to think up false statements than it is true ones.

FILL IN THE BLANK
    This type of format requires strong recall of words. Here it is important to breathe well. Rely on your memory strategies to assist you. Visualize where you were when you first heard the information. Fill in what you can and do the other parts of the test to help your recall. If the word is on the tip of your tongue, relax and try to visualize or sound it through. If this becomes a consistent theme, talk to your teachers about providing a word bank (simply a list of words about a topic, without explanations or definitions).

Review the test before you hand it in. Then let it go and forget about the test until you get it returned. When you do get the test back, consider learning from the test more than what your score was. Let the test guide you as to how you can do better the next time.

Preparing To Take A Test