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Lesson #19 - Taking Tests, Part 2

In Lesson 18 you learned there were five characteristics of tests: Tests cover a small portion of what you must learn, more study means higher test scores, practice improves test scores, the types and purposes of tests change, and test taking skills can be improved. If you do not recall these, it will be good to review them before beginning this lesson. The goal of STUDY SMART is for you to control your success. Controlling test grades is one way you control your success.

True-false and matching tests will be our topics in this lesson. Like multiple choice tests, these require you to recognize an answer. That is, you are given the correct answer along with several incorrect answers. Your task is to recognize or choose the correct answer.

Remember, we are suggesting that you be systematic while taking tests using the STUDY SMART method of Prepare, Act, and Test.

Q: How do you Prepare for true-false tests?

True-false questions usually focus on facts and details, so when you have true-false questions you should pay special attention to these. You should use many of your memory actions and practice recalling the facts that your teacher has emphasized.

Yes, as with all tests, read the directions and follow them. Read every question completely and do not interpret or look for hidden meanings. Do not expect trick questions. Use the ideas below to help you answer questions. But, remember for true-false questions, as for all test questions, the best reason to choose an answer is because you know it is correct.

1. If any part of a true-false question is false the whole question is false even if the incorrect information is a small part of the question. If you know something is false, the whole question is false.
2. Longer true-false questions tend to be true.
3. Words like "always," "never," and "absolutely" tend to indicate a question is false. Words like "sometimes," "usually," and "most of the time" tend to indicate a question is true.
4. If you do not know an answer, guess. You have a 50-50 chance of being right.
5. Budget your time and read all questions. If you can not answer a question circle it and move on. Come back after you have attempted all questions.

Review your test carefully to make sure it was scored correctly. Look at each question to identify errors. Correct these. Make sure you understand what your teacher was asking. If you do not understand, then ask. Sometimes true-false questions can be difficult to understand.

Matching tests usually have two lists. An item in one list must be paired with an item in the other. These questions usually deal with facts.

Matching questions often include details so identifying possible matching question topics is important. Then, you must learn and practice these. You will want to use many memory actions. Some examples of matching questions are authors and their works, pictures of body organs and their names, events and their dates.

1. Read the directions so you understand what you are expected to do. If you do not understand, ask your teacher.
2. Read each item in one list and think of a match. Then, look for it in the other list. Work quickly and cross out each answer. Skip the ones you do not know.
3. After you have gone through the list once, the ones you could not match will not be crossed out. You can then look at each item in one list and compare it to all remaining items in the other list. This should help you choose. Keep going through the list until you are finished or have answered all you know. Then, guess so you have an answer for every item.

Matching questions are simple to correct so check your errors and learn your mistakes. Always check to see that your score was correct; if not, ask your teacher to check it.

Many times true-false and matching questions are a part of a test with other kinds of questions. It is very important to budget your time. Do this by deciding how much time you can spend on each section. Stay in your time limits. You should save time for the end of the test so you can review your answers.

Make up 10 true-false and 10 matching questions for classes with teachers that use these types of questions. You can get some friends to do this with you, also. For your next test see how close your questions are to your teachers' questions. Use Form 19.1 to record these questions.

Lesson #20
Lesson #18

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