Motivation and Learning Strategies for College Success : A Self-management Approach

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TAKING EXAMS 267

If you are

asked to: You should do the following:

Predict Present solutions that could happen if certain

variables were present.

Prove Provide factual evidence to back up the truth of

the statement.

Relate Show the relationship among concepts.

State Establish by specifying. Write what you believe

and back it with evidence.

Summarize Condense the main points in the fewest words

possible.

Support Back up a statement with facts and proof.

Trace Describe in steps the progression of something.

Verify Confirm or establish the truth or accuracy of a

point of view with supporting examples, evidence,

and facts.

Determine How You Will Use Your Time

Read all the questions on the exam before responding to a single

question. If all the questions are of equal difficulty and value (in terms

of the number of points), you should divide your time equally for all

the questions. For example, you should allot 30 minutes for three

questions each worth 10 points on a 90-minute exam.

Budgeting time does not necessarily mean giving an equal amount

of time to each question. You need to consider both the difficulty level

and value of the question, in terms of the number of points. Deter-

mine how much time you need to spend and actually write down the

time you began writing your response. If you finish a question early,

you can use the extra time with another question.

Determine the Order in Which You Will Respond to the Questions

Individuals differ on the strategy they use to respond to questions.

Some individuals like to begin with the easiest question first to build

their confidence and reduce test anxiety. Other individuals prefer to

begin with a more difficult question to get the worst part of the exam

over. Still other individuals start with the question worth the most

points to ensure they spend sufficient time on a question with the

greatest payoff.