Page 244 - Keys to College Success

KEY 8.4 Try these techniques to succeed on math exams.

Read through the exam first. When you receive an exam, read through every
problem quickly and make notes on how you might attempt to solve the problems.
Analyze problems carefully. Categorize problems according to type. Take the
“givens” into account, and write down any formulas, theorems, or definitions that
apply. Focus on what you want to find or prove.
Estimate to come up with a “ballpark” solution. Then work the problem and check
the solution against your estimate. The two answers should be close. If they’re not,
recheck your calculations.
Break the calculation into the smallest possible pieces. Go step-by-step and don’t
move on to the next step until you are clear about what you’ve done so far.
Recall how you solved similar problems. Past experience can provide valuable clues.
Draw a picture to help you see the problem. Visual images such as a diagram,
chart, probability tree, or geometric figure may help clarify your thinking.
Be neat. Sloppy numbers can mean the difference between a right and a wrong
answer. A 4 that looks like a 9 will be marked wrong.
Use the opposite operation to check your work. Work backward from your answer
to see if you are right.
Look back at the question to be sure you did everything. Did you answer every
part of the question? Did you show all required work?

Probably the most important objective question strategy is an obvious one: Know
your material! If you haven’t studied, all of the tricks in the world won’t help you ace the
test. However, if you arrive at the test with a fairly solid baseline of knowledge, the follow-
ing strategies will help you handle the different ways that a test can ask you to show it.
As you review the sample questions in the following section, look also at the Multiple
Intelligence Strategies for Test Preparation on p. 208. Harness the strategies that fit your
learning strengths to prepare for exams. Note that some suggestions are repeated in the Test Taking
following sections, in order to reinforce the importance of these suggestions and their
application to different types of test questions.

Multiple-choice questions
Multiple-choice questions, in which you read a question “stem” (a complete or partial
question) and choose the most likely response or completion, are the most popular type
of question on standardized tests. The following strategies will help you choose as
effectively as possible:

■ Read the directions carefully and try to think of the answer before looking at the
choices. Then read the choices and make your selection.
■ Underline key words and phrases. If the question is complicated, try to break it down
into small sections that are easy to understand.
■ Make sure you read every word of every answer. Focus especially on qualifying words
such as always, never, tend to, most, often, and frequently. Look also for negatives
in a question (“Which of the following is not …”).
■ When questions are linked to a reading passage, read the questions first. This will
help you focus on the information you need to answer the questions.

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