PREPARING FOR SHORT-ANSWER TESTS 151 M ATCHING A matching test is similar to multiple-choice in that the answer is there, but you have to find it among answers that may be close in definition. Some matching tests have more choices in one column than in the other. It’s important you read the directions very carefully so you don’t get confused by extra choices. FILL -IN-THE-BLANK A fill-in-the-blank test is the opposite of a matching or multiple-choice test. The answer is not there for you; you have to come up with it yourself. The best way to prepare for this type of test is to know your vocabulary— including correct spelling. READING CLOSELY TO FIND THE CORRECT ANSWER Your first clue to a right answer is in reading the question closely. (You might want to review Chapter 10,“Getting More out of Reading.”) You need to find out exactly what a question is asking. As you read the test question: • What questions come to mind? • What images or words come to mind? USE YOUR LEARNING STYLE As always, use the style that suits you best to approach a question. (You may want to review Chapters 2 through 5 on learning styles.) • If you learn best by hearing: Read the question out loud (softly, if others are nearby!). • If you learn best by seeing: Use scrap paper to write down key words or draw a picture that comes to mind. • If you learn best by using images: Turn the question into a picture or movie in your head. Ask yourself: “What’s needed to complete the picture?” HOW TO STUDY 152 • If you learn best by putting things in order: Imagine the question as a puzzle or comic strip. Ask yourself: “Which of the choices would make the most sense and complete the puzzle?“ • If you learn best by doing: Imagine yourself acting out the ques- tion. Hold on to the picture of you in your head. Ask yourself: “Which of the two choices would you pick in that situation?” HOW TO APPROACH THE QUESTIONS Start by quickly skimming through the test to find the questions that are easiest for you. You’ll save time if you do challenging questions later. Remember, only correct answers count! If your test is timed, you’ll get more correct answers down on paper by doing the ones you know for sure first. Tackle each question, one at a time. 1. When you read the question, cover up your choice of answers. Think only of the question. What answer comes to mind? Hold on to the answer in your head, or write it down if you’re permitted to use scrap paper. 2. Now look for the answer among the choices given that comes closest to your answer. When you know the answer, not looking at the choices first can save you time. Answer all the easy questions this way. After you’ve answered all the questions you know for sure, go back to the challenging ones. Begin by picking a question you feel more com- fortable with and read it again. Sometimes a bell will go off in your head the second time around. If you’re working with a matching section, you’ve probably already eliminated some possible choices by answering the easy questions. On a multiple-choice test, if you’re still not sure of the answer: 1. Rule out the answer that’s not close at all. 2. Rule out the answer that’s loosely associated, but not close. 1. 2. 3. PREPARING FOR SHORT-ANSWER TESTS 153 3. Now you have to choose between one answer that’s correct and one answer that’s very close. You’re making an educated guess here. Use your learning style! (See the suggestions above.) Choose one answer to the practice question below: A worker who is cognizant of her learning strengths, no matter what job she is doing, is more apt to do well. In the sentence above, cognizant most nearly means a. proud b. aware c. highly knowledgeable d. automated Making an Educated Guess Use your learning style to make sense of the question. • If you learn best by using images: See a picture of a worker doing her job well. • If you learn best by putting things in order: Imagine the different steps involved in getting a job done well. • If you learn best by doing: Imagine yourself doing very competent work. In the question above, maybe you ruled out the “way out” answer, d, right away. Answer a might be a result of doing good work, but it doesn’t define cognizant. Looking quickly, you might have thought, “Cognizant— well, it has something to do with knowing, so the answer is c.”But c is the trick answer—the answer that is almost correct. A trick answer can confuse you if you don’t read carefully. The word cognizant is connected with knowledge, but it simply means being aware, not highly knowledgeable. To do a job well, you have to be aware of how you work best. The correct answer then, is b. Try It! 1. 2. 3. Practice Tip As you read—a magazine in the barber shop, a newspaper on your way to work, a message on the TV screen—choose a word that seems important in a particular sentence. Create an association with that word, something that will help the word stick with you. Practicing in everyday situations will make coming up with associations easier; then you’ll be able to study more efficiently. HOW TO STUDY 154 IN SHORT To do the best you can on an test, keep calm, read carefully, and answer shrewdly. Begin by answering questions you know for sure. Then go back to the tougher ones, starting with those that are the least difficult. When you know fill-in-the-blanks will be included, practice beforehand by making your own associations with the words and terms you might be tested on. Carry the cards with you and tape them up where you’ll see them. Explore the techniques that work best with your learning style. 155 CHAPTER 19 PREPARING FOR ESSAY TESTS Taking an essay test involves several steps: reviewing the whole test first, deciding how much time to spend on each question, carefully reading each question and answering it fully, and finally, checking each answer. A n essay test asks questions that can’t be answered in short, simple facts. Each question requires that you think about the answer and spend time answering it in writing, but there is a lot you can do in advance. The Boy Scouts have a motto: Be prepared! Before the test, you can prepare for both direct and indirect questions by asking yourself (or, if you have a study buddy, asking each other) questions directly from the text and questions based on the text and writing down your answers. Begin by reviewing Chap- ter 15, “Making Yourself Understood.” Use Your Study Styles Mathilda is studying to be an accountant and she just learned she’ll have to take an essay test to complete the class. Her math teacher wants to see how she thinks and solves problems. “But I just work with numbers!” she says. “I don’t need to write in this job!” What Mathilda will see is that she can use her strength as someone who works best with order as a sequential learner to become a sequential writer. HOW TO STUDY 156 GETTING READY A good way to prepare yourself for an essay question is to write a mock test ahead of time. By acting (creating questions) and not just reacting (answering questions), you become involved in the test preparation process. To begin, pretend you’re the instructor: • Make a list of what you want your students to get out of the course and the class materials, such as hand-outs, pamphlets, and books. • Circle the three items you feel are most important to the course. • Make up a question for each of these items. If you’re working with a study buddy, each make up your own list and separate questions. Include both direct questions, which are answered by facts from your notes or text, and at least one indirect question, which is based on how you put facts together to come up with a conclusion. • Write an answer to each question. If you’re working with a study buddy, swap the tests you made and take each other’s test. Make sure you each have an answer sheet that includes page numbers that indicate where the answers can be found in your class material. TIME MANAGEMENT You want to make the most of the time allotted for taking the test so that you have sufficient time for answering and checking each question before the time is up. . made and take each other’s test. Make sure you each have an answer sheet that includes page numbers that indicate where the answers can be found in your class material. TIME MANAGEMENT You want. the barber shop, a newspaper on your way to work, a message on the TV screen—choose a word that seems important in a particular sentence. Create an association with that word, something that will. on each question, carefully reading each question and answering it fully, and finally, checking each answer. A n essay test asks questions that can’t be answered in short, simple facts. Each