Carelessness/Clerical Error
T Inadequate Answer
Changed Answer
Exam Panic
C Question comprehension
Comprehension of question
L Failed to Consider Options
Other
Forgot Exam Techniques
Mental block
English Skills
Decreased Concentration
Other
Reading speed
Vocabulary
Lack of
Knowledge
Reading Comprehension
Other
Application of Knowledge
Comprehension of material
Inadequate Notes
Poor Retention
Missed Test
Question Number
Exam Analysis Worksheet
DIRECTIONS: Mark the number of the test questions you missed in the vertical, left hand
column. Using the “Assessment Needed” column in the Exam Analysis Suggestions pages
that follow this one, decide why you missed each item and place an X in the column under
the reason.
Exam Skills
Other Comments
Exam Analysis Suggestions
PROBLEM AREA
INTERVENTIONS
1.
Lack of
Knowledge
of subject
area
RELATED FACTORS
Retention:
Poor retention of information.
Inadequate lecture notes.
Comprehension/application
Failure to understand
concepts well enough to
apply concept.
2.
ASSESSMENT NEEDED
POSSIBLE
Did you spend adequate
time in study and review?
-Do you plan adequate study
time?
-Did you set up a pre-exam
study schedule?
-Did you use summary sheets,
maps, flash cards, etc. for drilling
on important information?
Was the information
needed to answer the
questions given in lecture
or text? If it was in the
lecture, check to see if the
information is adequately
recorded in your notes.
-Set up note-sharing with a peer
tutor.
-Share notes with others in a
study group.
-Get help improving notes.
-Tape record lectures and
complete notes from the tape.
Pinpoint what you did not
understand.
-Study with goal of
understanding.
-Map the notes.
-Use other sources to clarify
concepts.
-Seek help from instructor/tutors.
-Practice applications.
Did you restate or explain
the question or answer
before answering?
-Seek clarification from instructor
to be sure the question or option
is understood correctly.
-Seek help with reading
comprehension.
Check to see if you can
explain the meaning of the
word(s) causing problems.
-Look up ALL unfamiliar words in
a dictionary or glossary when
studying.
-Make a list of all new
vocabulary.
-Make flash cards of all new
vocabulary words with their
meanings and drill with the flash
cards. Use the words in
sentences.
-Study word bases and affixes.
English Skills
Reading Comprehension:
Failure to understand the
meaning of the question(s)
and/or answer(s).
Inadequate vocabulary
Determine whether the
difficulty is with technical
or general vocabulary.
Reading speed:
Lack of time to complete all
items or unwise use of time.
Did you answer all the
items?
Were items left undone or
unfinished due of lack of
time?
-Did you budget test time?
-Did you spend too much time on
some of the questions?
-Ask instructor for extra time.
-Get help improving reading rate.
3.
Exam Panic
Decreased concentration
on either questions or
answers
‘Easy’ questions missed
Were you able to answer
the questions immediately
after exam or now during
the exam analysis?
Mental Blocks:
Good exam techniques not
used on all items.
-Use good techniques on every
test item – not just hard ones.
Mental Blocks:
Material not learned
thoroughly enough.
-Use relaxation techniques before
and immerse yourself in the exam
-Answer easy questions first.
-Over learn.
-Drill with flash cards on important
concepts and related materials to
build confidence.
-Practice relaxation techniques
between exams so you can use
them effectively during testing.
Lack of confidence in ability
to do well.
4.
Poor Exam
Skills
Question comprehension:
Questions read carelessly or
too quickly; Key words not
noted.
-Establish a routine for answering
every exam question.
A.
Concentrate on what the
questions is asking:
- underline key words
- answer the question
in your head before
looking at option
B.
Consider each option
- underline key words
- mark each option
with True or False
or ?
C.
Choose answer using
information you have
learned in the course.
Reread missed question
and then, without looking
at former or correct
answer, answer again. Is
2nd answer different?
Why?
-Read each question carefully.
-Underline key words.
-Compare ‘pool’ of answer with
answer options on the exam.
-Mark each option True, False or
?
-Choose True over ?
-Use knowledge; do not choose
based on ‘sounds good.’
How many correct
answers did you change
to wrong answers?
-Never change an answer unless
you can explain why you changed
it.
Did you have difficulty with
‘except’ questions?
-Disregard the word ‘except’,
mark each option T, F, or ? and
choose the odd answer.
Considering each option:
Made snap decision on an
answer choice without
thinking through options.
Attractively worded distracter
chosen because correct
option seemed too easy.
Changed Answer:
Read too much into the
question.
“Except” items
Time Use:
Not enough time to complete
test.
Inadequate answers:
Not reading question
completely; not checking
completed answer against
question
Clerical errors:
Carelessness; lack of
concentration.
Carelessness; lack of
concentration.
Were all questions
answered? Did you know
correct answers to
questions not answered
on the test?
-Answer easy questions first.
-Answer moderately difficult
questions next.
-Leave hardest questions until
last.
-Give most time to questions with
highest points.
Did you know more
information than you
included in the answer?
-Outline key points before you
write the answer.
-Include key vocabulary and
concepts from course in answer
-Don’t be in a hurry to leave.
-Ignore those who finish early.
-Check paper to assure that all
questions are completed.
Check paper for clerical errors.
Reread each item with the answer
you have chosen to make sure
that the chosen answer makes
sense.
Exam Analysis Summary Questions
Directions: Use the questions below to analyze the result of your Exam Analysis.
1)
After completing the exam analysis, what did you learn about your test-taking and test
preparation skills and habits?
2)
Looking at your exam analysis results, which area caused you the most problems: testtaking or test preparation?
3)
Given the exam analysis results, what will you do in your next test? How will you prepare
differently? What will you do differently during the test?