Test Preparation Tips | Davis Technical College

Prepare Early & Regularly

Slow and steady wins the race
The goal is to move the information to your long-term memory.This is done through time and repetition. Keep your study sessions short and take breaks as needed.
Routine and rewards
Create a healthy and regular study routine. Be consistent in time and location.
Reward yourself for your efforts. So yes! Get yourself that Swig drink as a reward for reading those 2 chapters or memorizing those 50 terms.
Use study tools that work for you
Reading and highlighting only results in a 10% - 20% retention rate. If you want to learn, you must engage with the information
Flash cards, mind maps, and flowcharts are great ways to help retain new information.
Taking practice tests help familiarize you with the type of questions and your timing
Have fun with the information
Create things like songs, mnemonics, acronyms, and step rules to help solidify the information.
Find someone to teach the information to
Teaching is higher level thinking and leads to 90% retention. So, grab your bestie and get to it!
Create an exam cheat-sheet - even if you can't use it
It's a great way to study and prioritize information when preparing for a test

Before the Test

So now that you know how to prepare for the test, let’s talk about the test itself and how best to approach it.

It all starts with a good night’s rest and something nutritious to eat the day of the test
Being tired and/or hungry just adds unnecessary stress to an already stressful event.
Be prepared and arrive early
Arriving early gives time for your heart rate to slow and to recap any concepts that have been challenging
Wear comfortable clothes/shoes and bring a hoodie/sweater in case you get cold

During the Test

Skim the test (if you can). Know how many questions and how long you have
Set a pace that allows you to finish on time. For example, if there are 60 questions and you have 90 minutes, that is 1 minute, 30 seconds per question
Brain dumps can help, IF they are allowed
Write down everything you have crammed into the forefront of your mind after you sit down to test
Read the question carefully, make sure you understand what is being asked
Are you being asked to simply recall information or to synthesize it. There is a big difference between the questions: what is an apple and how is an apple created.
Answer the questions you know the answers to first
Never spend longer than a minute on a question you do not know the answer to immediately. Skip it, move on to the ones you do know.
Flag/Skip questions you do not know the answer to
Often, another question may assist in answering the unknown question
If you are unable to skip a question, give it your best guess and move on
Check your work before you click submit/turn in the exam
Review skipped/flagged questions and confirm all questions have been answered

Let’s delve into multiple choice questions as most computerized tests are in this format. In a perfect world, the correct answers would shine like a beacon of light on the screen; however, this is just wishful thinking. Being prepared is always going to be your best bet, but if you get stuck or simply do not know the answer, these tips can help you get the best out of your guess.

What if More than One Answer Seems Correct

Ask yourself whether the answer you’re considering completely answers the question.
If you think a question is a trick question, think again. Make sure you are not reading too much into the question.
If you’re stuck between two choices, try imagining each one as the correct answer. If you are like most people, you will often “feel” that one is wrong. Trust that feeling.

Look for Clue Words and Numbers

If two answers are opposite, one is probably correct
Answers with the following words are usually wrong: "always", "never", "all", "must"
Answers with the following words are usually right: "seldom", "generally", "tend to", "probably", "usually"
Be aware of degrees of correctness. With numbers, eliminate choices that are too small or too large

General Test-Taking Strategies

After reading the question and before reading the choices, make a prediction as to what the answer is.
Don’t let facts fool you. Just because the option is true, it doesn’t mean it’s correct for the question.
Remember that all information in the question is valid and may be needed to determine the correct answer.
Pay attention to words like “but”, “although’, “nevertheless", which indicate a shift in thought and alters the question.
Correct answers will rarely have new information included.
Understand the context of the question
Be aware of answers that repeat word for word a portion of the question – it’s usually wrong. Most correct answers paraphrase.

Test anxiety is a real thing, which symptoms ranging from sweaty palms to nausea (and everything in between). Although this section will not cure you of your test anxiety, it will provide tips for coping with it. This way you can focus on being cool, calm, and collected. Ohh… and acing the test!

Create a pre-test routine and stick to it.
Building a routine (such as eating a specific breakfast, or wearing your favorite socks) builds comfort, which may reduce stress.
Replace negative thoughts with positive ones. Affirmations are key!
It’s easy to get bogged down in negativity when you are already stressed, but feeding yourself positive thoughts regularly will help push those negative thoughts aside.
Meditate or stretch before or during the test
Take 2 minutes to decompress: focus on your breathing, relax tense muscles, or stretch your limbs. This will help reset and refresh you.
Set a timeline for the test.
Know how many questions are on the test and how long you have to complete it.
Pace yourself to ensure you have enough time to complete the test and avoid scrambling at the end.
Lastly, you are in a race with NO ONE!
Focus on YOUR progress only. Do not allow other testers to distract you or jumble your testing mojo.