TECH TIP

1. Don’t wait until the last minute to study. Whether this online test is part of a self-paced online course or a face-to-face course, start a study group (either in person or online) as soon as possible.
2. Get organized. An open-book quiz can take longer than a normal test if you’re not sure where to locate the information you need. Note: Having a good understanding of the material going in is key; your notes and books should be for occasional reference only.
3. Resist the temptation to surf the Web for answers. The answer you pick might not be what your instructor is looking for. It’s much better to check your notes to see what you were taught in class.
4. Collaborate when it is permitted. If your instructor allows you to work with someone else on tests, open up an instant message window with a fellow student. Take the test together.
5. Don’t get distracted. When you’re taking an online exam, it’s easy to get distracted by Facebook, iTunes, YouTube, or Twitter. Whatever you do, take the test seriously. Go somewhere quiet where you can concentrate—not Starbucks. A quiet, remote spot in the library is ideal. Noise-canceling headphones might help even more.
6. While taking the test, budget your time. Keep an eye on the clock so that you’ll be sure to finish the whole test.
7. Tackle easy questions first. Once you get those out of the way, you can revisit the harder ones.
8. Find out in advance if there’s any penalty for wrong answers. If not, bluffing is allowed, so you want to be sure to answer every question.
9. Beware: There’s always the risk of losing your Internet connection midtest. To be on the safe side, type all of your answers and essays into a Word document. Then leave time at the end to cut and paste them into the test itself.
10. Finish early? Take a few minutes to check your answers and spelling. (That’s good advice for traditional tests, too.)