Appendix : Developing a Test Taking Strategy
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5. Look for choices which are only partly true.
(For a choice to
be correct it must be completely true, not only partly true.)
6. Look for answerswhich aremore complete,more specific or
encompassing.
(Often there is more than one choice which is
correct, however, one choice is better because it gives a more
complete or specific answer. Make sure you read all of the
choices before answering!)
7. Look for mutually exclusive answers. Two statements are
mutually exclusive if stating one directly excludes the other.
It is important to recognizemutually exclusive answers and
then determine whether the twomutually exclusive choices
are related to the question. Let’s look at some examples:
Early humans believed ships could fall off of the earth
because they took as fact that:
A) the earth is flat.
B) the earth is round.
C) gravity could fail
D) gods became angry and knocked people off.
E) etc…
(Note: The earth is flat implies that the earth is not round, and
vice versa. In other words choices A and B are mutually exclu-
sive. In this example, these choices are related to the problem,
so we know that the answer must be one of the two choices.)
One of the reasons that helped fuel the legend of vampires
is:
A) the earth is flat
B) the earth is round
C) the inability to scientifically determine actual point of
death
D) etc…
(Note: Although choices A and B are mutually exclusive, these
two choices are unrelated to the problem and therefore can both
be eliminated.)
8. Relate the choices to the examobjective.
(Make certain that
your answer makes sense relative to the exam objective. For
example, one of the fundamental objectives of the exam is to
guarantee patient safety. Therefore, you will never answer a
question which says performing needless scans, using more
power than is necessary, or scanning for more time than is
clinically necessary is acceptable.)
Section 8: The Testing Time Pressure
Students who know the material conceptually and develop a testing
strategy rarely have time difficulties. Quite simply, once you know
the material and approach the exam logically and systematically,
the time allotted is more than adequate. Still, the fact that the exam
is timed usually induces some amount of stress. The best way to
make certain that the time aspect of the exam does not become an
issue is to practice taking exams under the same time constraints.
The ability to remain focused for long periods of time (oh, say
about 120 - 180 minutes) is an acquired skill. Most people find it
difficult and exhausting to stay focused on one subject matter for
more than 15 minutes. The best way to develop this skill is to really
understand the material and practice applying the material. Many
people ignore the fatigue and focusing factor when preparing for
an exam. As you take the practice exams, it is strongly suggested
that you take the time constraints seriously, and learn how you will
respond after trying to remain focused for such a long period of time.
Try to clear your mind of extraneous thoughts. It is natural to find
yourself periodically straying into the oblivion with your thoughts.
You do not need to scold yourself,nor should you just allow yourself
tomentally wander. Instead,try taking a quickmental break to relax
your mind and then refocus. For most people,a 30 second relaxation
period is all it takes. Many people are afraid to allow themselves
the 30 second break, believing that they are wasting precious time.
Quite simply, if your mind is frazzled, those 30 seconds might be
the most usefully spent time during the exam. Besides, if you have
practiced taking the exam, and have really learned the material, you
will not be worried about using a few minutes spread throughout
the exam to rest and recover.
