Page 256 - Keys To Community College Success

WRITE IT Communicate

Emotional intelligence journal: Test types. What type of test do you feel most comfort-
able with, and what type brings up more negative feelings? Thinking of a particular situation
involving the test type that challenges you, describe how it made you feel and how that feeling
affected your performance. Discuss ways in which you might be able to shift your mindset in
order to feel more confident about this type of test.

Real-life writing: Ask your instructor for feedback on a test. Nearly every student
has been in the position of believing that the response written for an essay exam was marked
down unfairly. The next time this happens to you—when you have no idea why you lost points
or disagree with the instructor’s assessment of your work—draft a respectful email to your
instructor explaining your position and asking for a meeting to discuss the essay. (See email
etiquette guidelines in Quick Start.) Use clear logic to defend your work and refer back to what
you learned in class and in the text. It is important to specifically address any comments or criti-
cisms the instructor made on the test paper. Before sending the email, analyze your argument:
Did you make your case effectively or was the instructor correct? When you have the meeting,
the work you did on the email will prepare you to defend your position.

WORK IT Build Your Brand

On-the-Job Testing
21st Century Learning Building Blocks
8 ■ Information literacy
CHAPTER ■ Initiative and self-direction

■ Productivity and accountability
You may encounter different tests throughout your career. For example, if you are studying to
be a nurse you are now tested on subjects like anatomy and pharmacology. After you graduate
you will be required to take certification and recertification exams that gauge your mastery of
the latest information in different aspects of nursing.
Some post-graduate tests are for entry into the field; some test proficiency on particular equip-
ment; some move you to the next level of employment. Choose one career you are thinking about
and investigate what tests are involved as you advance through different career stages.

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