• Preparation
• Objective Exams
• Essay Exams

1. Learn the exam format: e.g. facts vs. concepts.
2. Review course outline, notes and Quick Study Chart.
3. Review previous tests; check at departmental office.
4. Summarize highlights on single sheet.

OBJECTIVE EXAMS

• Scan the exam to determine types of questions asked.
• Always read & follow directions!
• Determine the exam's scoring rules and use them.
• If wrong answers are penalized, don't guess unless you can reduce the choices to two.
• Answer easy questions first.
• Mark difficult questions and return to them later.
• True-False questions:
• Pick out key words or group of words on which the truth or falsity of a statement hinges.
• If any clause in a statement is false, the statement is false.
• Multiple-choice questions:
• Multiple choice questions are essentially true-false questions arranged in groups.
• Usually only one alternative is totally correct.
• Eliminate obvious false choices.
• Of the remainder, pick the alternative that answers most fully all aspects of the question.

• Planning your time in answering essay questions is more important than in objective-type tests!
• Read through the entire examination first.
• Get a feel for the questions you are expected to answer.
• If the exam allows you to choose from a number of questions, be sure to number your answers exactly to match the questions.
• Follow directions carefully.
• Pay attention to the key words in the question. Words such as "list," "describe," "compare and contrast," and "outline" require different types of answers.
• Don't "write around" the question but answer it directly and concisely.

• After scanning the list of questions to be answered, choose the ones you know most about.
• On scrap paper quickly prepare an outline of important ideas and facts to be included in your response.
• Your opening statement summarizes what you are going to say.
• What follows should support your opening statement.
• Your conclusion should show how your body text supported your opening statement.
• It is absolutely essential that your ideas can be read and understood: Print if your cursive writing is very hard to read; know and use correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling.