Computerized Tests

Your comfort with taking computerized tests might depend on your experience in taking these tests before. If your instructor provides the opportunity for practice tests, be sure to take advantage of this chance to get a better sense of how the tests will be structured. There can be significant variations depending on the kind of test, the academic subject, and whether the test was constructed by the teacher, a textbook company, or another source.

For multiple-choice and other objective forms of computerized tests, you might be allowed to scroll down and back through the entire test, but that is not always the case. Sometimes you are allowed to see only one question at a time, and after you complete that question, you might not be allowed to go back to it.

For computerized tests in math and other subjects that require you to solve each problem, be sure to check each answer before you submit it. Also, know in advance what materials you are allowed to have on hand, such as a calculator and scratch paper for working out the problems.