Examining Returned Tests

• Seek out peer or expert feedback from the Writing Center or Student Success Center.
• Join a study group at the Student Success Center to brainstorm possible test questions.
• If you know there will be an essay or short answer question on the exam, prepare an outline of what you will write.
• Many instructors provide an assignment This is a listing (often appearing in chart form) of the requirements of the assignment and related point values. Sticking close to these expectations shows you what the instructor values. 
• Questions from early examinations are often repeated on a midterm or the final exam as instructors want to see if you have developed your knowledge from the earlier period.
• If an instructor fails to return a test or doesn't provide adequate feedback, take it upon yourself to kindly ask for additional feedback.
• Explore different kinds of test questions:
  When studying for short-answer questions, concentrate on:
  • Terms and names
  • Concepts and theories, and examples underpinning them
  • Key facts
  • Characteristics, similarities and differences.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS

Multiple-choice questions consist of a question or sentence (the stem), and a number of possible answers (usually between three and five) with you choosing the correct answer from the list.

When studying for multiple-choice questions, concentrate on:

• Terms and names
• concepts and theories, and examples underpinning them
• A larger range of facts but organize by knowing a key facts BY CATEGORY
• Characteristics, similarities and differences.
• Start by eliminating any answers that are obviously wrong.
• Watch out for negatives. For example, "Which of these is not…?"
• Don't change your first answer unless you're really sure; your first instinctive choice is usually right.
• Look at the context of the question in the question group — often some questions go together and the question is asking you to pick the best fit for a given condition.

ESSAY QUESTIONS

Essay questions require a structured answer and often the structure is as important as the details you provide in that the structure indicates your knowledge of the entire process or all related factors.

• Identify and prepare two or three  possible questions using sources such as end of chapter questions, the set of odd\even homework questions you weren't required to do, corrected assignments and brainstorming sessions with your study group
• Practice by writing answers under the same time conditions as the exam.
• When taking the exam, separate the different parts of the question to make sure you spend time on each part; don’t allow yourself to go over time
• Take a few minutes to create an outline answer with key terms. Make sure the outline has an introduction, main point or thesis statement, conclusion and at least two supporting paragraphs.
• If the response is handwritten, leave space to include additional details later.

FORMULAS

Problems are formula-based so knowing how and when to apply formulas is key.

• When taking the exam, separate the different parts of the question to make sure you spend time on each part
• Write down the formulas or methods you’re going to use as some instructors will give credit for proper identification even if you make a calculation error
• Show your work as some instructors will give credit for demonstrating that you understand the process.
• Label drawings and diagrams with keys and headings as appropriate.
• Make sure answers include unit labels