1) The document provides a sample test on test-taking skills that illustrates different question types such as multiple choice, matching, fill-in, true-false, short answer, and essay questions. 2) Before taking the sample test, readers are advised to think about test-taking strategies discussed in the chapter and try to apply as many as possible. 3) After completing the test, readers are prompted to reflect on whether taking the test helped them learn the material better and how effective their use of test-taking strategies was for different question types.

1. SUCCESS MATTERS
Take a Test-Taking Test
Take the following test on test-taking skills, which illustrates every question type discussed in this
chapter. Answers to all questions except short-answer and essay questions are provided at the end of
the test.
Before taking the test, think of the test-taking strategies we’ve discussed in the chapter, and try to
employ as many of them as possible.
Multiple-choice section
Tests are useful tools for which of the following purposes?
determining people’s likely level of future career success
indicating strengths and gaps in people’s knowledge
defining people’s fundamental abilities and potentials
evaluating people’s individual worth and contributions
One of the main advantages of study groups is that
every individual must contribute equally to the group.
group members can help each other during the test.
each member has to memorize only a fraction of the material.
groups motivate their members to do good work.
Which of the following is a good way to deal with test anxiety?
visualizing success on the test
drinking coffee or other stimulants
telling yourself to stop worrying
focusing on the importance of the test

2. Which of the following is likely to be the most effective cramming technique?
preparing a one-page summary of the most important information
quickly reading all articles and textbook chapters covered on the test
neatly recopying all class notes and note cards while reading them aloud
underlining or highlighting key information in the textbook and other resources
Matching Section
1. Essay question A. A question in which the student supplies brief missing information to
complete a statement
2. Quiz B. Hurried, last-minute studying
3. Multiple choice question C. An informed attempt to select an answer by eliminating clearly incorrect
answers
4. Matching question D. A question in which the student must link information in two columns
5. True-false question E. A brief test
6. Fill-in question F. A question requiring a lengthy response in the student’s own
words
7. Short-answer question G. Deduction of points for incorrect responses
8. Guessing penalty H. Representing another’s work as one’s own
9. Test anxiety I. A question requiring a brief response in the student’s own words
10. Cramming J. A question that requires selection from several response options
11. Academic dishonesty K. A feeling of fear induced by testing
12. Educated guess L. A question requiring students to distinguish accurate and inaccurate
statements
Fill-in section
Fear of testing that can interfere with test performance is called .

3. Last minute studying is called .
The primary source of error on machine-scored tests is incomplete .
After inspecting the test and identifying areas that will be easy and those that will be hard, a reasonable test-taking
strategy is to answer the questions first.
True-False section
The best way to prepare for an essay test is to review detailed factual information about the topic. T F
True-false questions require students to determine whether given statements are accurate or inaccurate. T F
You should never permit yourself to feel panicky during a test. T F
A good evaluation strategy toward the end of a test is to redo as many questions as time permits. T F
For short-answer questions, students must select brief responses from response choices listed on the test form. T F
In responding the essay questions, you should answer briefly and use plain language. T F
In a multiple-choice question, the word “always” and “never” usually signal the correct response. T F
It is usually unwise to guess on a multiple-choice test. T F
If you run out of time at the end of a test, it is best to write brief notes and ideas down in response to essay question,
rather than leave them completely blank. T F
Students’ comments on the amount of studying they have done before a test are generally accurate. T F
Short-answer section
What are five things you should find out about a test before you take it?
What is academic honesty?
Essay section ( write your answers in point form on a separate sheet of paper as though you were creating
an essay plan rather than the actual essay)
Explain how tests can be useful to students and teachers.
Discuss the advantages of using a study group to prepare for an examination.
Why is academic honesty important?
Answers. Multiple-choice: 1B, 2D, 3A, 4A; Matching: 1F, 2E, 3J, 4D, 5L, 6A, 7I, 8G, 9K, 10B, 11H, 12C; Fill-in: test anxiety,
cramming, erasing, easy; True-False: 1F, 2T, 3F, 4F, 5F, 6T, 7F, 8F, 9T, 10F; Short-answer: See page 162 and pages 174 and
175.

4. After you have completed the test, consider these questions: Did you learn anything from taking the test that you might
not have learned if you hadn’t been tested on the material? How effective were the test-taking strategies you employed?
Were any types of strategies easier for you to employ than others, and were any types of questions easier for you to use
them on than others?
Success Matters Chapter 6 Taking Tests 5/19/2009