How to be a good test taker?

[Joelgrow]

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Hey guys,

So, today, I took my biochem test today, and I got a C, not because I didn't study for it, but I realized that I got

a C because I am a bad test taker.

I think the biggest problem with me when I am taking the test is that I am get myself in hurry, and sometimes

literally don't even read the questions, and my brain just goes blank sometimes.

and this really worries me because I am taking the DAT this summer.

Also, I am from another country, so English is not my first language, so reading is somewhat my weakness.

So, to my fellow pre-dent students, how do you guys take the test? what are the strageties that you guys do

to maximize your test results? Also, there is only 50 mins in my bio chem test, so I am weak on my time

mangment too. So help me out here if you have any advice.

 

[Advance]

I usually go through exams really quickly; answering all the questions I know off the top of my head (or ones that I can solve quickly) and I skip the ones that require extra thought or time. After I reach the end of the exam I go back and spend the rest of the time working on the time consuming questions.

 

[cacajuate]

In your native language were you a good test taker?

 

[JLT223]

Being successful on the DAT has little to do with test taking abilities. I am a horrible standardized test taker yet I put the time and effort in to do well enough on the exam. I'm convinced anyone can do well on it if you really focus. It's NOT that hard.

 

[FeralisExtremum]

I really don't think there's such a thing as a "bad test taker", just people less prepared than they thought. College exams are almost always knowledge based tests.

 

[PocketRocket]

are you blindly memorizing the content? Or are you actually attempting to understand the concepts in depth?
The latter is the ideal method

 

[zEkii]

I really don't think there's such a thing as a "bad test taker", just people less prepared than they thought. College exams are almost always knowledge based tests.

I would have to disagree. There is such a thing as a "bad test taker"... Or at least to the scope of standardized exams. I believe a test encompass more than just knowledge but more with being fully aware of a question. For example: I can understand everything about the thyroid and its system, but if I don't take time challenging myself.. I could be totally screwed when they ask about the deficiency of iodine( which is endemic goiter). Doesn't mean I don't know what the thyroid is... i just didn't give myself different scenarios of understanding everything that may alter or can effect the thyroid.

Test taking takes in account of: knowledge based, concept, critical thinking, being calm, and confidence. Some of those take more priority than others but overall does affect your ability to take an exam.

I know it wasn't that deep, but I figured I voice my thoughts for the "Bad test takers" out there!

 

[Advance]

I would have to disagree. There is such a thing as a "bad test taker"... Or at least to the scope of standardized exams. I believe a test encompass more than just knowledge but more with being fully aware of a question. For example: I can understand everything about the thyroid and its system, but if I don't take time challenging myself.. I could be totally screwed when they ask about the hyper secretion of parathyroid( which is endemic goiter). Doesn't mean I don't know what the thyroid is... i just didn't give myself different scenarios of understanding everything that may alter or can effect the thyroid.

Test taking takes in account of: knowledge based, concept, critical thinking, being calm, and confidence. Some of those take more priority than others but overall does affect your ability to take an exam.

I know it wasn't that deep, but I figured I voice my thoughts for the "Bad test takers" out there!

I agree 100%. Especially with the confidence thing. I know plenty of incredibly smart people, but they second guess themselves a lot causing them to get questions wrong.

 

[A Pre-dent]

.

 

[wildzodiac]

I agree with @FeralisExtremum. I really don't think that there is such a thing as a "bad test taker." How you study trumps the shear time that you study the material.

 

[Joelgrow]

In your native language were you a good test taker?

No rot really, I never was a good test taker. I don't know why, but I just never did good.

 

[strep mutans]

I would have to disagree. There is such a thing as a "bad test taker"... Or at least to the scope of standardized exams. I believe a test encompass more than just knowledge but more with being fully aware of a question. For example: I can understand everything about the thyroid and its system, but if I don't take time challenging myself.. I could be totally screwed when they ask about the hyper secretion of parathyroid( which is endemic goiter). Doesn't mean I don't know what the thyroid is... i just didn't give myself different scenarios of understanding everything that may alter or can effect the thyroid.

But that's not correct.
Endemic goiter is caused by dietary iodine deficiency and affects the thyroid. Parathyroid hormone hypersecretion causes hypercalcemia, and is usually due to a parathyroid (not to be confused with thyroid) adenoma or hyperplasia.

Taking the time to challenge yourself is a critical component of preparing for a knowledge-based test. Some people are naturally inclined to question new information as they learn it, relating it to existing knowledge and thereby creating a more complex neural network for learning and remembering the info. But this is a habit and can be learned. It's not really a study habit so much as a learning habit.

http://thinkeracademy.com/questioning-improves-your-learning/

 

[zEkii]

But that's not correct.
Endemic goiter is caused by dietary iodine deficiency and affects the thyroid. Parathyroid hormone hypersecretion causes hypercalcemia, and is usually due to a parathyroid (not to be confused with thyroid) adenoma or hyperplasia.

Taking the time to challenge yourself is a critical component of preparing for a knowledge-based test. Some people are naturally inclined to question new information as they learn it, relating it to existing knowledge and thereby creating a more complex neural network for learning and remembering the info. But this is a habit and can be learned. It's not really a study habit so much as a learning habit.

http://thinkeracademy.com/questioning-improves-your-learning/

Haha, I changed it 7 minutes before you decided to correct me, but I already corrected myself... 🙂 . But still doesn't change my point!

 

[Scumbag_Steve]

.

 

[JLT223]

Confidence is what it takes to be a good test taker

This. It really is half the battle.

 

[BioForLife]

I always do two sweeps when taking an exam. I go through the easy or less time consuming questions first then go back and do the hard ones or the ones I know are going to take me more time.