General tips for Test Taking:

Review the entire exam. Know which sections are worth the most points

Record your answers neatly

Answer the easy questions first

Look for inter-question clues

Ask for clarification if a question is confusing

Review your answer sheet once you are done

Use caution when changing answers

Techniques for True/False

Read the statement carefully and circle key words used in the question.

Look for multiple parts in a question. For a statement to be true, it must be all true.

For example:

A conflict is a situation in which a person feels pulled between two or more opposing desires, motives or controls. (Controls is incorrect)

Statements that contain absolute words (always, never, none or all) are usually false, and statements that contain qualifying (often, usually, seldom, many, most, generally, typically, could) words are usually true.

For example:

Freud believed that childhood experiences were always the cause of the problems in adulthood.

Erickson discovered that some infants develop a sense of mistrust during their first year of life.

Statements that contain two negative words usually create a positive statement.

For example:

Maslow did not believe that it was not possible for some people to become self-actualized. (This means that he did think it was possible)

Techniques for Multiple Choice

Multiple-choice questions are constructed with the following parts:

STEM= the sentence or phrase that poses a question

RIGHT ANSWER = the element that provides the correct information to the stem question

DISTRACTERS = wrong or misleading answers to the stem question

Read the question and all options before you select the correct answer and underline key words.

Connect the stem of the question to each alternative answer; then treat each statement as a true/ false statement. All the rules for True/False will still apply. Work to eliminate incorrect alternatives rather than looking for the “right” answer.

For example:

Anterior and posterior knee stability is influenced by the dynamics of the

Cruciate ligaments (Anterior and posterior knee stability is influenced by the dynamics of the cruciate ligaments T or F)
Joint capsule. (Anterior and posterior knee stability is influenced by the dynamics of the joint capsule. T or F)
Patellar tendon. (Anterior and posterior knee stability is influenced by the dynamics of the patellar tendon. T or F)
Collateral ligaments. (Anterior and posterior knee stability is influenced by the dynamics of the collateral ligaments. T or F)

You should end up with three questions that are false and one that is true.

Read the question, cover the alternatives, and think of the answer that you would like.

Choose the best answer. The answer that is the most inclusive and that is true all the time is the best answer. An answer that contains more specific, detailed information is probably correct. Vague or general alternatives are often used as distracters.

For example: The primary goal of personality theories is to

test behavior policies
describe behavior
treat problematic behavior
understand and explain behavior in order to develop methods of increasing individuals’ quality of life

Watch out for distracters that are accurate and may sound right but do not apply to the stem.

When you have to take a guess and two choices look similar with one difference, the right choice might be one of those.

For example: The behavior-genetic approach to personality focuses on

nature vs. nurture
congenital factors
genetic variations
genetic constants

Eliminate similar or alike options. In the following example, if you had to make a guess, a, b, and c are quite similar and might be eliminated

For example: Health care professionals often ask questions of patients during exercise activities. Which of the following questions does not lead the patient?

Does this increase your pain?
Does this increase your pain at night?
Does your pain decrease with activity?
Does this alter your pain in any way?

Techniques for Matching

Matching questions consist of a question list that serves as the stem and an answer list that serves as the pool of possible responses.

Determine if all choices in the answer list will be used once, more than once, or not at all.

Review both lists first, and then match the elements you know first.

Work from one side and cross off items as you go if answers cannot be used twice.

Recheck your work in case you used a letter twice.

When matching word to word, determine the part of speech of each word (verb+verb, noun+noun).

Use capital letters rather than lower case letters since they are less likely to be misread by the person correcting.

Techniques for Short-Answer Questions

Short-answer questions consist of an incomplete stem that you must complete by filling in the blank or responding with a word or phrase

Read the question closely, attending to key words and ideas to jog your memory of specific details from your reading or lecture.

Ask for clarification when you have alternative answers.

Look for agreement clues (number, gender, or first letter [a, an]) in the question stem.

For example: Removing the appendix is called an _____________________.

Watch for space clues (length, number of blanks).

Being very familiar with the material helps when answering short answer questions.

Techniques for Essay Questions

Prepare for the exam by anticipating the kinds of questions in advance.

Plan your answer systematically. Schedule time for each answer and be aware of the time.

Ask for clarification on any questions you do not understand.

Take a few moments to organize your thoughts and jot down a quick outline. Be sure you are answering the question that was asked. Be complete and concise. Write legibly and neatly.

Begin the answer with a strong statement that takes a specific position. Use the question itself.

Support your opening position with specific facts (usually three per paragraph), use transitions to show your organization, and add a conclusion.

Direction words for essays- Use these to see what kind of information to include in the essay

Direction word	What is required
Compare	Show the similarities and differences between 2 or more items.
Contrast	Present only the differences between 2 or more items.
Define	Give the definition and expand it with more examples and greater details.
Trace/outline	Discuss the sequence of events in chronological order.
Summarize	Identify and discuss the main points or the highlights of a subject. Omit details.
Evaluate/critique	Offer your opinion or judgment, and then back it up with specific facts, details, or reasons.
Analyze	Identify the different parts of something. Discuss each part individually.
Describe	Give a detailed description of different aspects, qualities, characteristics, parts, or points of view.
Discuss	Tell about the parts or the main points. Expand with specific details.
Explain/explain why	Give reason. Tell why. Show logical relationships or cause/effect.
Explain how	Give the process, steps, stages, or procedures involved. Explain each.
Illustrate	Give examples. Explain each example with details.