Study Skills Self-test
See how much you already know about
note taking, college reading, memorizing, studying, & test taking
(Answers on last page)
1. The planner provided by Peru State College for student use is all of the following EXCEPT:
a. Available at the Center for Achievement and Transition Services at the beginning of the academic
year.
b. Also known as the PSC Student Handbook.
c. Where students can find their course syllabi.
d. Free to all PSC students while supplies last.
2. Mastering this (these) skill(s) contributes to your success as a student:
a.
b.
c.
d.
Prioritizing tasks.
Practicing daily time management.
Using a planner.
All of the above.
3. The tuition and fees you pay amount to approximately ____ % of the cost of providing your education.
a.
b.
c.
d.
25
75
33
50
4. People read aloud or move their lips while reading because
a.
b.
c.
d.
They want others to know they are reading.
They read aloud as children.
They can read faster if they use this technique.
None of the above.
5. SQ3R stand for:
a.
b.
c.
d.
Survey, Question, Read, Recite, Review
See, Question, Reorganize, Reread, Recite
Scan, Quantify, Relax, Rehearse, Review
None of the above.
6. To help pace your reading and reduce unnecessary regressions:
a.
b.
c.
d.
Underline as you read.
Use your index finger to guide your eyes.
Trace an X pattern just beneath the line you are reading.
Circle important words as you read.
7. When reading a college textbook, pay close attention to:
a.
b.
c.
d.
Chapter titles and small print.
Pictures and the photographers’ names.
Bold or italicized font and boxes or tables.
None of the above.
8. One way to improve comprehension when reading is the use of this method:
a.
b.
c.
d.
QUIP
SQ3R
READI
SQUARE
9. Students who don’t take notes or review them forget approximately ____ % of lecture content.
a.
b.
c.
d.
70
90
50
Between 50 and 65
10. Effectively listening to a professor’s lecture is
a.
b.
c.
d.
A passive activity.
Boring.
An active process.
An unnecessary part of learning.
11. When taking notes, you should:
a.
b.
c.
d.
Use loose leaf paper.
Number and date the pages.
Keep notes from all classes in one spiral bound notebook.
Both A and B.
12. Writing down as much of what your professor says during a lecture as you can is:
a.
b.
c.
d.
Very difficult, but important.
Not an effective way to take notes.
The best way to follow a lecture.
Both A and C.
13. Which of the following is/are true about class notes:
a.
b.
c.
d.
Notes can be taken while reading.
Your notes from a lecture will be perfectly organized.
They should not be rewritten.
They are of minimal use when studying for a test.
14. One of the systems used to help students organize their notes is:
a.
b.
c.
d.
The Johnson-Adams System.
Beacon’s Outlining.
The Cornell Method.
Cliff and Sparks Custom Notes.
15. Reflection is an important step in organizing your notes. Which is not an example of reflection?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Thinking about how the facts fit into what you already know.
Thinking about how you can apply the facts and ideas.
Both A and B.
Neither A nor B.
16. What do people rely on first when learning?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Memorization
Google
Ask.com
Dictionary
17. One step toward improving your ability to memorize is:
a.
b.
c.
d.
Pay closer attention.
Understand how memory works.
Decide what information is important.
A, B, and C.
18. Flashcards usually:
a.
b.
c.
d.
Show a clue on one side and an answer on the other side.
Contain all the important information about a topic.
Are at least 5 x 8 inches in size.
Are meant to be used only in the classroom.
19. Our minds can easily hold:
a.
b.
c.
d.
Less than four related bits of information.
Up to seven related bits of information.
All related information, no matter how many items.
All available information, whether related or not.
20. Which of the following put information into long-term memory?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Cramming one day before the exam.
Developing mnemonic devices.
Regular reinforcement of material.
Writing rhymes.
21. Most people should get ____ hours of sleep the night before an exam.
a.
b.
c.
d.
Eight
Seven
Zero
Depends on the type of test.
22. Just before a test, you should:
a.
b.
c.
d.
Remind yourself that you are well prepared.
Eat sugary foods to help you concentrate.
Eat a heavy meal to help you stay awake.
Tell others that you are nervous and have test anxiety.
23. A good test-taking strategy is to:
a.
b.
c.
d.
Concentrate on answering the questions in order.
Watch other students to see if you are taking too much time.
Guess and don’t look back.
Read the instructions carefully.
24. On true-false tests, answer TRUE if:
a.
b.
c.
d.
Every part of the statement is true.
The question contains more than four negatives.
The question includes absolutes like never, only, all, or always.
None of the above.
25. When taking an exam, you should guess:
a.
b.
c.
d.
If you know the correct answer.
If you are unsure of the answer and there is no penalty for incorrect answers.
You should always guess.
You should never guess.
26. When taking an essay exam:
a.
b.
c.
d.
Note how much time you have and begin writing as much as you can right away.
Read the questions quickly and tell the instructor whatever you know.
Don’t worry too much about what the instructions tell you to do, just so you get your ideas down.
Take a moment to organize your thoughts and then address the question.
27. When taking an essay exam:
a. Make sure you complete each answer before reading the next question to avoid getting distracted
and/or confused.
b. Avoid appearing as if you tried to organize your response in an outline format before writing the
essay.
c. Do what the directions ask you to do, paying special attention to action verbs such as compare, analyze, and list.
d. All of the above.
28. For each credit hour you take, your total time commitment should average:
a.
b.
c.
d.
Four hours per week.
Three hours per week.
Two hours per week.
Five hours per week.
29. To be a successful full-time college student, you should invest at least:
a.
b.
c.
d.
Twenty-four hours per week.
Thirty hours per class per semester.
Forty hours per week.
Six hours per day.
30. A free PSC Student Planner:
a.
b.
c.
d.
Is not available.
Is available to freshman student only.
Is available in the residence halls.
Is available in the CATS.
31. Information about holidays and campus breaks:
a.
b.
c.
d.
Can be found in the PSC planner and on the college web site.
Can only be found by asking your professor.
Is posted at the city post office.
Will be announced over PA systems on campus.
32. Using a private study room, like those available in the CATS and library:
a.
b.
c.
d.
Can help reduce distractions.
Allows auditory learners to read aloud.
Can be useful for learners who prefer to move about and write on the board.
All of the above.
33. Time management sheets should include:
a.
b.
c.
d.
Class time.
As many time commitments as you have.
Work time.
Commute time.
34. College reading assignments:
a.
b.
c.
d.
Are light reading that need not take much time.
Are all required reading.
Can be read at different rates of speed, depending upon the content.
Are optional.
35. Reading and making notes before the professor’s lecture:
a.
b.
c.
d.
Is an effective way to prepare for class.
Needs to be done only if you are not confident about the material.
Will not help you understand or follow the lecture.
Is only for over-achievers.
36. Going back and re-reading groups of words is called regression. Regression:
a.
b.
c.
d.
Accounts for about one-third of the average person’s reading time.
Is absolutely unnecessary and must be eliminated.
Can sometimes be necessary to help us understand what we read.
Both A and C.
37. Fixation happens each time the eyes stop to focus on the text. What is true about fixation?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Fixations are absolutely necessary.
Fixations are absolutely unnecessary.
Fixations cannot be made more efficient.
Fixations should be lengthened to aid understanding.
38. Which of these is NOT true about note-taking?
a. Student forget about 70% of lecture content within a day or so if they don't take notes and review
them.
b. Your brain establishes a neural trace (memory pathway) for information you write.
c. Putting information in your own words makes it more meaningful to you.
d. Extensive note-taking taxes your brain, impedes learning, and causes lethargy.
39. Your short-term memory: is
a.
b.
c.
d.
Unrelated to learning new material.
The same as long-term memory.
Likely to get you through a test, but is only the first step in learning.
All you will rely on when learning.
40. To take effective notes, you can:
a.
b.
c.
d.
Avoid abbreviating words or using symbols.
Use your own system of abbreviations and symbols.
Be sure to write down every word.
Listen to the lecture and write your notes after class or at the end of the day.
41. During a lecture, you should listen for:
a.
b.
c.
d.
Cues that the topic is shifting.
Mispronunciation of words.
Examples an instructor might give.
Both A and C.
42. The use of highlighting when reading is:
a.
b.
c.
d.
Useful, if you don't just highlight everything in a section.
Likely to keep the bookstore from buying your books back.
Not recommended if you read carefully.
Recommended unless you are color blind.
43. Before reading, survey. This is done by:
a.
b.
c.
d.
Skimming the chapter summary.
Reading titles and headings.
Skimming for bold or italicized words or vocabulary lists.
All of the above.
44. Before reading, question. This is accomplished by doing all of the following EXCEPT:</p>
a.
b.
c.
d.
Thinking about what you want to learn.
Deciding what you are expected to learn.
Asking why you have to take a class like this.
Remembering what you already know about the topic.
45. Reviewing what you read involves coming back later for further practice. To review, you:
a.
b.
c.
d.
Summarize the information and memorize specifics.
Avoid re-reading your notes, highlights, and underlines.
Read the next chapter to be prepared.
None of the above.
46. “I before E except after C” is an example of a memorization aid called:
a.
b.
c.
d.
Visualization
Rhyme
Acronym
Loci Method
47. When taking a test, you should:
a.
b.
c.
d.
Read instructions before you start.
Review your answers before turning the test in.
Both A and B.
Neither A nor B.
48. If you have to guess on a multiple-choice test where the answer is a number:
a.
b.
c.
d.
Throw out the highest and lowest numbers.
Don't answer unless you are sure.
The answer is usually the highest number.
The answer is usually the lowest number.
49. Which words are examples of absolutes?
a.
b.
c.
d.
No, never, none
Always, every, all
Entirely, only
All of the above.
50. When taking an essay exam:
a.
b.
c.
d.
Choose only the questions with high point values and spend all of your time on them.
Write down everything you know, and do not waste time on correct spelling or grammar.
Budget your time and plan your responses.
Spend at least half of the allotted time planning a more effective program of study.
51. Most people do best with eight hours of sleep per night. Your mental functioning will be negatively
affected if you try to get by on less than ___ hours of sleep per night.
a.
b.
c.
d.
Eight
Six
Seven
Four and one-half
52. Fueling your body is important. In the hours prior to a test, it would be best to eat:
a.
b.
c.
d.
A light, low-sugar meal.
Two donuts and a Mountain Dew.
Nothing but coffee.
Pancakes, eggs, hash browns, toast, jelly, orange juice, and a soda.
53. If time is left after you've completed your exam, you should use the time to:
a. Relax and sit back to try to clear your mind of all test anxiety (so that you don't take that stress
with you when you leave).
b. Look around the room to see who is still working (so that you can tell how your timing compares
to others').
c. Make a plan for the rest of the day.
d. Proofread your answers and check to see that you have answered all of the questions.
54. There is a lot of discussion about changing your original answer to a test question. As a rule you should:
a.
b.
c.
d.
Never change an answer.
Change an answer if you find you read the question incorrectly the first time.
Change an answer if you found the correct information elsewhere in the test.
Both B and C.
55. When answering difficult multiple-choice questions, which is the most effective way to narrow the choices?
a. Follow the b c d rule.
b. In every case, always choose the longest answer.
c. If you know two of the choices are correct but aren't sure about the other choices and you have
the option “All of the above,” choose “All of the above.”
d. If you are given two choices that are almost identical, eliminate both of them.
56. When writing a response to an essay question and not sure of a date, the best strategy is to:
a.
b.
c.
d.
Identify the century and, if possible, what part of the century.
Always guess on the low side.
Give up and go on to the next thought.
Plan ahead and don't mention dates or time frames in your answer.
57. If test instructions are unclear to you on an in-class test:
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer from your heart -- be sincere.
Ask the professor or test proctor for clarification.
Do the best you can.
Ask another student for help.
58. Analyzing your past test results is:
a.
b.
c.
d.
A good idea if you are a nontraditional student, but otherwise generally unhelpful.
An unnecessary use of time.
A poor way to review and prepare for future tests.
None of the above.
ANSWERS:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
c
d
a
b
c
b
c
d
a
c
d
b
a
c
d
a
d
a
b
c
a
a
d
c
b
d
c
a
C
30.
31.
32.
33.
34.
35.
36.
37.
38.
39.
40.
41.
42.
43.
44.
45.
46.
47.
48.
49.
50.
51.
52.
53.
54.
55.
56.
57.
58.
d
a
d
b
c
a
d
a
d
c
b
d
a
d
c
a
b
c
a
d
c
c
a
d
d
c
a
b
d