What could be more
fun than studying,
test taking and Final
Exams?!
“Signal Words, or words you
need to pay attention to!”
Your instructor is not going to send up a rocket when they state an important idea or give an
important example in class!! You must listen for “signal words and phrases”.
• Common Signal words/phrases:
– “There are three reasons why…(HERE COMES SOME
INFORMATION, LISTEN AND WRITE!)
– “First, second, third….(HERE IS THE INFORMATION, YOU SHOULD
BE WRITING!!)
– “And most important….(A MAIN IDEA, WRITE IT DOWN!)
– “A major development…” (A MAIN IDEA AGAIN, WRITE, WRITE,
WRITE!!)
– “Now that is important….”
– “Remember that…..”
– “The important idea is that….”
– “The basic concept here is….”
More words to pay attention to!!
“On the other hand….”
“For example….”
“For instance…..”
“Therefore….”
“In conclusion….”
“In summary…..”
“Finally….”
Some “no brainer” words/phrases to pay attention to:
“Now this is important and will be on the test….”
“Remember that…..
“The important idea is that…..”
“The basic concept is….”
How to Succeed in taking
those Test!
Study, Study, Study and be prepared!!!
So, how do you do that???
 Create a quiet, neat study area, use the library or make your own “study haven”
 Study from good notes or borrow from a friend who takes good notes. Study with a
friend or group. Gather all books, notes, past tests/quizzes, and use them to study.
 Study when you have the most energy. Take care of yourself, be well fed and rested on
the day of your tests.
 Make sure you know what the test(s) will cover and what they will not cover.
 Reward yourself after studying with a “tasty treat”, a video game, “phone a friend”; do
whatever works for you!
Strategies for specific types of
tests.
THE ESSAY TEST!!
 Read the whole question before you begin to write
 Underline key words such as (compare, explain, justify, define) that tell you how to
answer the question.
 Start with the question that seems easiest to you.
 Before you write, create an outline on scratch paper of what you want to say. Organize
your thoughts before you actually write the answer.
 Write something for every question, don’t leave a blank. Even a fragment of an answer
might get you a few points!
 Write legibly, your teacher has to be able to read your answer!!!
The ever popular Matching and
Multiple Choice questions!
 With Matching Questions, as you match each word or phrase,
make sure you cross it off the list.
 Read all the answers first so you know what answer choices you
have.
 For Multiple Choice Questions………
 -use the process of elimination to narrow down the choices.
-be careful of answers that look obvious, they may be a
decoy to throw you off.
-Trust your first gut reaction!! As long as it’s based on
some sort of reason, it’s probably right.
-Watch out for those “all of the above” choices!! That means every
part of every choice has to be correct.
What if I get anxious before tests?
 Come prepared to the test with paper, pencils/pens, notes to
review, books.
 Eat breakfast, get plenty of sleep the night before.
 Be on time, don’t hurry to the test. That alone will make you
panic!
 Take some deep breaths before the test begins.
 Think positive!! Avoid self-talk such as “I know I will fail.”
 Visually imagine yourself working efficiently and doing well
on the test.
 If you feel tense and/or anxious during the test, stretch,
sharpen a pencil, somehow distract yourself from the
feelings of anxiety for a few moments.
 Use deep breathing whenever you feel the panic, anxiety
coming