Test Taking Skills VI Charlis E. Powell, Ph.D. Learning Center Director St. Pius X High School
Intelligent Guessing Strategies Research indicates that appropriate and correct application of intelligent guessing techniques can raise test scores significantly. Use these strategies with care. Remember to apply them only as a last resort when: Your recall fails You are totally unfamiliar with the material
Intelligent Guessing Strategies Fill in the answer the first time instead of skipping it with the intention of returning. Mark or Flag the question so you can easily find it after you have completed the rest of the test. Draw a star or question mark beside the question Think carefully before changing your first answer. Odds are that your first response is the correct one.
Look for These. Negative Words Common Negative Words Not Except False Common Negative Prefixes Un In Il Dis Non Non Im ir
Look for These Be especially alert to negatives in objective test questions Sometimes it is helpful to circle the negative words and prefixes in questions and answers
Look for These Double Negatives are statements which contain two negatives usually one word and one prefix. Cross out both Re-read and answer Example: He is not un-athletic. He is athletic.
WOW!! Triple Negatives? Statements which contain three negatives Usually one word and 2 prefixes Cross out two of the negatives Re-read and answer Example It is not unkind to be impatient It is kind to be patient.
Multiple Choice Questions Statements/Words are most likely to be true when the answer is in the middle or the 3rd choice of a multiple choice question especially if it is the answer with the most words. When you don t know the right answer you should: A. Leave it blank B. Answer using test wise strategies and then flag it C. Go to the next question
Multiple Choice Questions What to do when you don t have a clue When dealing with All of the above If two choices are nearly the same, choose neither one. Example: The most important thing Abraham Lincoln did politically was to: A. Wield an axe B. split rails C. Issue the Emancipation Proclamation D. Be shot in the Ford Theatre after the war
Multiple Choice Questions If two choices are opposite, choose one of them. Example: Sigmund Freud: A. Developed the theory of psychoanalysis B. Did not develop the theory of psychoanalysis C. Always advised psychoanalysis for his patients D. Felt that therapy should be carried out in a sanitarium.
Multiple Choice Questions Pick the longest choice or the most complete statement if you don t have a clue. Example: The Great Gatsby: A. Exploits women B. Demonstrates the revenge of the downtrodden on C. D. the rich Occurs in Minneapolis Illustrates southern hospitality
Multiple Choice and True False When you don t have a clue Statements are most likely to be false if none of the words are familiar to you or if you don t recall seeing the words during your study time.
Multiple Choice and True False What to do when you don t have a clue. Absolute Statements are most likely to be false. Look for words that are absolute All Always Everyone No one Only Never
True False and Multiple Choice The most general statements are most likely to be true Example: The poem The Cemetery of Whales A. is not translatable B. Is basically a criticism of communism C. refers only to situations in Russia D. appeals only to people over 30 (The key word to identify this general statement is basically
True False Questions What to do when you don t have a clue Statements that contain reasons or qualifying answers are usually false This can also be used when answering multiple choice questions. Example: Paul did poorly on the test because he went to a movie the night before instead of studying. The answer is FALSE Look for the words that qualify: in this case the qualifier is BECAUSE
What to do when you don t have a clue CAUTION: All of these suggestions are only to be used when you don t know the right answer. GOOD LUCK!!