6 tips for better test-taking

Tests are challenging. They are stressful, and as we move up in grades, much harder and much riskier. Only a certain amount of time is given for tests, so it’s best to use the time efficiently. From my 12 or so years of taking tests, I’ve only recently begun developing tips for myself on how to do better during the in-test period. Some of us feel that we do much better on practice questions and reviews than we do on tests. I think that most of that feeling comes from test stress, because tests should cover only the material that’s been taught, if not in a more complicated way. To reduce test stress, you need to stop worrying about it. In other words, get comfortable with testing and focus. For those of us who need a little help, here are six tips for better test-taking:

1. Read the question.
   The most important part of answering a question is reading the question. You may think you are reading properly, but nerves can make you mess up! Try circling or underlining important words in the question to get a better understanding of what it’s asking. You could also try rewording the question; this will help you to uncover trick questions. Remember to focus on the test, don’t get distracted by test stress or the people around you.
2. Perform a mental information dump.
   After reading a question, write down what you know about the concept being tested before trying to answer the question. Doing so will help you to not fall into the trap of self-debate, and convincing  yourself of inaccurate ideas from thinking too much. Often, your first answer is the most correct answer. By writing down your first thoughts about the question, you will be able to refer back to that information if you get confused. When checking your work, having information written down is helpful to compare your thoughts with.
3. Don’t rush.
   We have always been told to double-check our work. Sometimes, this leads to rushing – just so we can have time to check. However, I think it is more important to not rush yourself the first time through; take your time and do each question. Rushing leads to frequent mistakes. Technically, by doing the test better, the need for checking is reduced. Only when you have extra time should you check your answers. Make sure you have enough time on the clock for the test; consequently, don’t panic!
4. Skip questions that are hard.
   Partition the time given to you so that you have a vague idea about how long it should take to complete each part of your test. When you come to a question that you can’t figure out after reading it twice, skip it. There will be time to ponder difficult questions after completing the quick and easy ones. Likely, the chances that you will get the easy questions right are higher than getting the hard questions right. Do the easier questions first, and do them well. When you have time to check your answers, review the skipped questions first.
5. Ask yourself questions, and answer them.
   A useful way to answer multiple choice is to ask yourself whether or not an option is reasonable. If you get stuck between two choices, you can ask yourself whether or not it would be the answer your teacher would have wanted you to choose. When you are double-checking, ask yourself what you are looking to answer for in the question, and why each step makes sense in answering it. By making logical sense out of your actions, you will be able to gain confidence in yourself and your answers.
6. Be prepared.
   The most important part of test-taking is being prepared. Before a test, study and review all the material that you have learned. In addition, make sure that you have everything you need to feel comfortable during the test. This includes having all your pencils, calculator, water bottle, and anything else you need ready to go. It feels much more natural when we are well prepared.

Have any tips of your own? Leave a comment below, and good luck ✪