Standardized Test-Taking Strategies

Hello ZU,

I'm supposed to be designing a "crash-course" in standardized test-taking strategies, and while I'm pretty knowledgeable about the usual methods, I'd like YOUR opinions as to what works best.

Some of the ideas I already have:
- Use mnemotic devices to retain information
- Read the questions before you read the selection
- Study in manageable sessions over a period of time rather than "cramming"
- Read and reread directions
- "If you have to guess: The length of choices can be a clue. Choose the longest. If two choices are similar, choose neither. If two choices are opposites, choose one of them. The most general alternative is usually the right answer."
- Answer as many questions as you can; don't dwell on hard questions

Anything else you guys can come up with? any of these you want to reiterate?

Two choices are obviously wrong.

The test writer's bias is usually fairly strong. Determine this on questions you know and it can help on questions you don't.

Never rely on 'C' as a constant default (or any other letter). Don't be freaked out by patterns of letters that appear. If you are given two numbers for each response, usually the best one has two already used.

Answer the questions correctly.

Depending on the school, take as much time as you need. If your school allows you the entire day, don't try to rush the test. Finishing first doesn't show you're smart. If you need to (and are allowed to), take a quick nap.

If there is a succession of the same answer letter, don't worry about it. Teachers do that on purpose. They're sadistic bastards that try to make you fail.

Turn off Facebook. Turn off MSN. Turn of ZU. Motivate yourself; 2 pages of revision, then you can have a wank. Place biscuits or cake in a security vault that will only open when your robot overlord has marked your paper and awarded you over 96%. Anything less then 92% results in a beating. Leaving you chair before revision is complete leads to an electric shock that will paralyse you're entire body save for your right hand and your neck upwards.

This is how I passed by GCSEs with over or equal to half the paper correct or attempted.

For revision purposes, I find creating mind maps to be a very useful tool, since this allows me to map the concepts out in a very simple manner, and reduces the need for rote learning.

Another useful tip is to eliminate the answers that you KNOW are wrong.

Looking at the same test from previous years is a good idea. Alot of the time the test writers reuse or change ever so slightly old questions.

My mum told me how she past one of her uni exams by like, 1 question which she would have gotten wrong had it not been on an old test she'd studied.

Don't feel obligated to answer the questions in order. If you don't know an answer, skip it and come back to it later. Maybe something in a later question will spark your memory, or may even provide you with an earlier answer.