Test taking problem..

[FT2FLY]

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I'm a freshman in university.. last semester I finished with:
A+ in Calc
A in Computer Science
B in Biology
C in Physics

Although I didn't do terrible, I know I could have done so much better if I didn't do mediocre on a few exams.

I feel the biggest adjustment from high school to university for me was the difficulty of the exams. I've taken CC classes and those exams are extremely straightforward compared to the ones I take now.

My questions:

How do I improve my test taking ability? My issue is that I walk into the test knowing my stuff but when it comes down to answering the multiple choice I run into problems like getting confused by the question and choosing the distractor answer choices, spending too much time on each question and being pressed for time at the end.. etc.

Biggest problem: Application questions... How does one do better on exams that have a majority of application questions? What's a good approach to those kinds of exam questions, especially in the sciences?

I've heard that part I/II exams have mostly application questions, and I'd expect upper year science course exams to have them as well. That's why I'm trying to figure out a method to doing well on them.

My first set of midterms are in a month and I don't want to repeat the same mistakes as before.

Any insight/advice would be great!!

 

[H4LfAd1ME]

For me, I vastly improved on tests after I knew the material inside and out, forward and backwards, and until I could recite it in my sleep. Oftentimes I would convince myself that I knew the material and studied enough, only to find out that I was confused by the question stem or the answer choices while taking the test. You have to KNOW the material like the back of your hand, especially on application-type questions. CC classes are considered easier than 4-year college courses because the tests there are usually written by taking things straight out of the textbook and do not have application-type questions. You simply have to regurgitate the material. Upper level courses and good 4-year courses are a step beyond that and have you applying what you know in a given question. Application questions usually test your knowledge on the subject by twisting the question around in a way you haven't seen before. So, the only way to get those questions right (especially in a timed scenario) is if you ABSOLUTELY know the material and are able to apply what you know to the question. This doesn't mean simply memorizing what's in the book straightforward. It means you make your own notes, you start analyzing the material, comparing/contrasting and seeing trends in the material you have to memorize. Professors usually test you on a big concept; and if you are too bogged down on the nitty gritty details, you can miss the big picture. Read the book, take great notes during class, rewrite your notes while going over it after lecture, and really analyze the material while looking at the big picture. Make sure you really take time to memorize your new notes and know it inside/out until you can spew out info in your sleep. Getting A's in science courses is hard work! Put time into it and it'll pay off. Hope this was helpful!

 

[FT2FLY]

For me, I vastly improved on tests after I knew the material inside and out, forward and backwards, and until I could recite it in my sleep. Oftentimes I would convince myself that I knew the material and studied enough, only to find out that I was confused by the question stem or the answer choices while taking the test. You have to KNOW the material like the back of your hand, especially on application-type questions. CC classes are considered easier than 4-year college courses because the tests there are usually written by taking things straight out of the textbook and do not have application-type questions. You simply have to regurgitate the material. Upper level courses and good 4-year courses are a step beyond that and have you applying what you know in a given question. Application questions usually test your knowledge on the subject by twisting the question around in a way you haven't seen before. So, the only way to get those questions right (especially in a timed scenario) is if you ABSOLUTELY know the material and are able to apply what you know to the question. This doesn't mean simply memorizing what's in the book straightforward. It means you make your own notes, you start analyzing the material, comparing/contrasting and seeing trends in the material you have to memorize. Professors usually test you on a big concept; and if you are too bogged down on the nitty gritty details, you can miss the big picture. Read the book, take great notes during class, rewrite your notes while going over it after lecture, and really analyze the material while looking at the big picture. Make sure you really take time to memorize your new notes and know it inside/out until you can spew out info in your sleep. Getting A's in science courses is hard work! Put time into it and it'll pay off. Hope this was helpful!

thank you!!!

 

[dbrystow]

Wow, Im impressed that you chose to do calc bio and physics in you first semester. My first advice would be to maybe not take so many essential science classes.
Second advice would be to do google searches for questions. look up mcat questions and the like. the best way to do better at test questions is to answer a lot of similar questions.
it should not be too hard to find 101 level physics questions online.

 

[tortelliniboy]

Hey man, what always helped mirrored a lot of what the previous posters said. Active learning, such as creating diagrams, your own questions, making your own outline from memory, holding a dialog with someone on the subject matter. Finally once you feel like you're really confident you can put yourself to the ultimate test; try teaching/tutoring another student. If you find that you have no idea how to teach it or articulate the material in easy fashion to a peer you may not have it down as stone cold as you thought.

 

[FT2FLY]

Wow, Im impressed that you chose to do calc bio and physics in you first semester. My first advice would be to maybe not take so many essential science classes.
Second advice would be to do google searches for questions. look up mcat questions and the like. the best way to do better at test questions is to answer a lot of similar questions.
it should not be too hard to find 101 level physics questions online.

I'm doing my undergrad in Canada and unfortunately that's how my school's first year degrees work! I was also supposed to take Chemistry I and II but there was no way I was going to take all 3 sciences first year coming from the USA where we take them once a year lol. Chemistry will be in the summer for me.