ACE Semester Exams!
From the desk of Jessica Mize, ACE Coordinator:
Sky-diving, running, reading, debating, public speaking, singing鈥hese words tend to cause ambivalent emotions depending on the person you ask. For some, the thought of sky-diving is both exhilarating and terrifying, while for others sky-diving is completely out of the question. The same goes for public speaking鈥ome may get their kicks from delivering a speech in front of the masses, while others would do everything to avoid it. And then there is reading: for some reading is less fun than having teeth pulled while for others, reading is a way to relax and unwind.
However, I am not aware of many people that feel anything other than dread when it comes to test-taking. If I polled a group of students about favorite activities, I am almost certain 鈥榯est-taking鈥� would not appear on the list. We have entered the time of year where semester exams are now a reality.聽 Test dread, apprehension, anxiety, loathing, etc. is completely normal, but there are ways to help cope with all of the emotions that come along with taking a big test. Below are some great tips and resources I have put together in light of exam week. Please feel free to contact me prior to your exam if you need more test taking strategies.
- Attitude is everything. Practice positive self-talk.
- Bring a watch to the test so you can budget your time
- Upon first receiving your test, do a quick scan through of the entire test so you will know how to budget your time
- Answer the easiest problems first. Do not get stuck on a problem for too long before marking it, moving on, and revisiting the problem later. There may be information throughout the test that will help jog your memory of problems you may have skipped
- If the questions on the test have different point values, consider doing the problems with the most point value first
- Always carefully read the entire question first. Do not assume what the question is asking before you finish reading it
- Trust your first impression for this is often times correct
- Be mindful of the question format: multiple choice, short answer, True/False, or essay. See the resources below for preparing for each type of question format
- Test anxiety? See below for a resource to help manage
Resources for question format:
- Brigham Young University. Career and Academic Success Center. 鈥淭est-taking Strategies.鈥� Retrieved from
- Center for Academic Success and Records. 鈥淭est Taking Strategies: Preparation for a Successful Exam Day.鈥� Retrieved from
Resource for Test Anxiety
- Penn State. Pollock Testing Center. Retrieved from
Other Resource
- Test Taking Tips. Retrieved from