Page 241 - Keys To Community College Success

early. If, on the other hand, you are falling behind, be flexibile about the best use of
the remaining time.

Take a strategic approach to questions you cannot answer. Even if you are well
prepared, you may face questions you do not understand or cannot answer. Key 8.3 has
ideas to consider.

Use special techniques for math tests. In addition to these general test-taking
strategies, the techniques in Key 8.4 can help you achieve better results on math exams.

Maintain Academic Integrity

While cheating has the immediate gain of possibly passing a test or at the least get-
ting a few answers right, its long-term consequences aren’t so beneficial. If you
cheat, you may be caught and disciplined (with consequences that can go as far as
expulsion). Furthermore, cheating that goes on your record can damage your ability
to get a job.
In recent years, cheating has become high-tech, with students putting all kinds of
devices to dishonest uses. Examples include: 7
■ Texting answers from cell phones or smartphones
■ Using in-phone cameras to take pictures of tests to send to friends or sell online

KEY 8.3 Understand what to do if you don’t know
the answer.

Ask for Sometimes a simple rewording will make you realize that you do
clarification. know the material.

Skip the question Letting your subconscious mind work on the question sometimes
and come back Test Taking
to it later. can make a difference.

Build logical Take a calculated risk by using what you already know about the
connections. topic.

Bring up a
“mental map” Remembering where material was covered in your notes and text
of your notes. may jog your memory about content.

The act of writing about related material may help you recall the
Just start targeted information. You may want to do this kind of writing on
writing. a spare scrap of paper, think about what you’ve written, and then
write your final answer on the test paper or booklet.

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