Discovery Center

 Tips for Successful Test-taking

in Short Answer and Essay Questions

     You have been taking tests all your life, so you already know a lot about test-taking.  You know there are many different kinds of questions.  Test takers generate answers like numbers, words, or phrases for short-answer questions and whole paragraphs for essay questions.The two kinds of questions are very different.

1. KEY WORDS Key words in questions are a clue to the kind of answer you need to write.  Get to know these helpful key words.

Words that signal short-answer questions:

     best     blank     list     missing     complete     name

     date     when      who    fill in       finish          which

Words that signal essay questions:

     compare     explain     contrast     predict     define

     reasons      describe   discuss       state        summarize

     why           draw conclusions

2.  VARY YOUR STUDY METHOD   To answer both short answer and essay questions, you must be able to generate answers.  That means you must have the answers in your mind.

 Short Answer Questions: Know Details

     A short answer question usually focuses on details, like names and dates.  Your best tool for studying is note cards or small sheets of paper.  Write one important fact on the front of each card, and a question about the fact on the back.  Quiz yourself on the cards, and then have a friend quiz you.

Essay Questions: Add Main Ideas

     You will also need to know facts for essay tests. Make fact cards for essay tests, too.  Now go one step further.  On a separate sheet of paper, list main ideas and possible questions.  Sort your fact cards according to the main ideas.  Use your cards as you practice summarizing a main idea  or answering essay questions.  You may find yourself using the same fact cards to answer several different questions.

3.     ANSWERING SHORT-ANSWER QUESTIONS

- read each question slowly and carefully

-  first answer questions you know and skip the rest

-  go back and reread the questions you had trouble with, some of the other questions might have reminded you of the answer

-  try to picture the place in your book or your notes where the answer is located

-  if you still don't know the answer, make a good guess

-  use leftover time to check your answers

4.. ANSWERING ESSAY QUESTIONS

- read all the questions before you begin

-  circle any key words

-  plan your time wisely

-  be sure you understand each question before you begin to plan your answer

-  . organize your ideas by making  a brief outline or web

-  recall the phrases your teacher used

-  write a main idea sentence

-  support your main idea with facts

-  write complete sentences

-  use your best handwriting

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