### What to Do During the Exam

Here is a list of the most common - and useful - strategies to survive this universal college experience.

- • the test , first, to get the big picture of how many test items there are, what types • the test , first, to get the big picture of how many test items there are, what types there are (multiple-choice, matching, essay, etc.), and the point values of each item or group of items.
- • which way you want to approach the test: Some students start with the • which way you want to approach the test: Some students start with the easy questions first, that is, the ones they immediately know the answers to, saving the difficult ones for later, knowing they can spend the remaining time on them. Some students begin with the biggest-point items first, to make sure they get the most points.
- • a schedule that takes into consideration how long you have to test and • a schedule that takes into consideration how long you have to test and the types of questions on the test. Essay questions, for example, will require more time than multiple-choice or matching questions.
- • your eye on the clock. • your eye on the clock.
- • you can mark on the test, put a checkmark next to items you are not sure of just • you can mark on the test, put a checkmark next to items you are not sure of just yet. It is easy to go back and find them to answer later on. You might just find help in other test questions covering similar information.
- • where you are most comfortable . That said, sitting near the front has a couple of • where you are most comfortable . That said, sitting near the front has a couple of advantages: You may be less distracted by other students. If a classmate comes up with a question for the instructor and there is an important clarification given, you will be better able to hear it and apply it, if needed.
- • earplugs if noise distracts you. • earplugs if noise distracts you.
- • do NOT have to start with #1! If you are unsure of it, mark it to come back to later. • do NOT have to start with #1! If you are unsure of it, mark it to come back to later.
- • water. T his helps calm the nerves, for one, and water is also needed for optimum • water. T his helps calm the nerves, for one, and water is also needed for optimum brain function.

If despite all your best efforts to prepare for a test you just cannot remember the answer to a given item for multiple-choice, matching, and/or true/false questions, employ one or more of the following educated guessing (also known as 'educated selection' ) techniques. By using these techniques, you have a better chance of selecting the correct answer. It is usually best to avoid selecting an extreme or all- inclusive answer (also known as 100% modifiers) such as 'always,' and 'never'. Choose, instead, answers that use words such as 'usually,' 'sometimes,' etc. (also known as in-between modifiers). If the answers are numbers, choose one of the middle numbers. If you have options such as 'all of the above,' or 'both A and B,' make sure each item is true before selecting those options. Make sure to match the grammar of the question and answer. For example, if the question indicates a plural answer, look for the plural answer. Regarding matching tests: count both sides to be matched. If there are more questions than answers, ask if you can use an answer more than once. Pay close attention to items that ask you to choose the 'best' answer. This means one answer is better or more inclusive than a similar answer. Choose the longest, or most inclusive, answer. Read all of the response options.