Student Profile with Introduction
8.1Getting Ready . . .
8.2Taking the Test
8.3Types of Tests
8.4Types of Questions
8.5Overcoming Test Anxiety
8.6Cheating and Plagiarism
PROFILE
Carlos Rivera, 26
Health Sciences Major, Georgia Perimeter College of Georgia State University
Carlos Rivera was born in Guatemala and has lived in Georgia since he was ten years old. After a few years as a car mechanic, he decided to enroll in Georgia Perimeter College in Atlanta because he realized college was important for his goals and his financial future. He chose Georgia Perimeter because of his interest in its medical programs, and so far his favorite course has been biology. After graduating from Georgia Perimeter College, Carlos plans to become a radiologic therapist and help others. Since enrolling, Carlos has taken a straightforward approach to preparing for exams that has served him well. “I review the material periodically throughout the term and the day before exams,” he explains. “Typically, I try to get plenty of sleep during the week of exams.”
“You can do anything you want with a little perseverance and determination.”
Carlos recounts a challenge he overcame: “I came into one required course with a negative attitude. I didn’t know why I needed to take the class, and I didn’t pay attention.” When he received his first exam grade, Carlos wasn’t pleased. “It was definitely not what I was used to,” he says. However, he returned to class with an open mind and made an effort to take an interest in the course and to explore how the materials applied to his life and studies. By applying the same strategies he’d used in his other classes to prepare for exams, he was able to improve his grade.
His advice to other first-year students? “Don’t slack off, thinking you can make up the work later in the year. Do well from the start—you never know when you may need some room for error later on. If something seems hard, face it and try your best. Most of the time, things are not as difficult as they may seem at first. You can do anything you want with a little perseverance and determination.”
You can prepare for tests and exams in many ways. Sometimes you’ll have to recall names, dates, and other specific bits of information. Many instructors, especially in courses such as literature and history, will also expect you to have a good overall understanding of the subject matter. Even in math and science courses, your instructors want you not only to remember the correct theory, formula, or equation but also to understand and apply what you have learned. Knowing your preferred learning style, managing your time and energy, and using study and memory strategies will help you prepare for any kind of test or exam you are facing. This chapter provides you with several strategies to prepare for and take tests and exams successfully. It also describes types of tests and test questions you may encounter and includes tips for managing test anxiety as well as maintaining academic honesty.