Today our topic of discussion is-Preparing for Tests and Exams – 2
Preparing for Tests and Exams – 2
Lesson 5.5 discussed how to get prepare for examination. In this lesson you will see why tests are taken, the type of tests, and how to be prepared for different types of tests.
Objectives
After completing this lesson you will be able to: tell why tests are taken identify the different types of tests decide how to prepare for different types of tests.
Situation: Types of Tests
Tests and exams are taken to assess your ability of understanding your subject. It gives you a chance to demonstrate what you can do. It projects your mastery over a subject or a skill. There are different types of tests. For example:
1. Mastery tests: These are tests which have to be passed without any mistakes. They are designed to show that you know or can do something completely. For example, driving.
2. Profiles: profiles simply record what you can do but make no mention of what you are not able to do. Usually with a profile test you decide when you are ready to demonstrate that you have learnt a new item.
3.Formative tests: These tests are designed to help you learn by giving you comments and feed back on what you are able to do. These tests form your learning. Seeing the result of the test you are expected to take action, i.e. this test helps you identify your problem areas and areas of emphasis.
4.Summative tests: Summative tests summarise what you know or can do at a particular time. For example, your end of the course exam is a summative test.
Preparing for assessments:
You may recall the methods you have followed in the past, in preparation for exams. List the methods which you used and assess how effective they were for you. The best method of preparation depends on the contents of the test.
Preparing for knowledge-based tests:
Remember that effective recall of knowledge depends on its having been learnt in a systematic and meaningful way. Make sure that your notes are organized to
1. Make everything meaningful
2. Highlight key points
3. Show structures and relationships
4. Emphasise differences.
Now test yourself (you can take help of your tutor/friend) to identify what you know well. If you do not know something well, practice that by
a. Answering past exam questions
b, Solving situations
C. . Inventing your own questions to answer
d . Explaining the item to an imaginary audience (role-playing)
Preparing for application tests:
In preparing for listening, speaking, reading, and writing tests find books, past papers, etc. with lots of topics or invent your own topics and practice. practise listening and speaking skills with friends and family members.
Preparing for practical tests:
While preparing for practical tests you need to find out, for example How long will be the test? What are the things you need to take with you? How will be the paper marked?
Tactics.
Doing the best in a test requires you to waste no effort and giving the best shot. You have limited time and need to make every minute count.
While taking a test
1. choose which questions to answer.
2. decide how much time you can spend on each question.
3. decide on how detailed each answer should be.
Choosing your questions
Read through all the questions and. put a tick against those you can answer correctly well. put a cross against those which you are sure won’t attempt. put a question mark against the others.
If you can answer the required number of questions using only ticked questions, do that. If you have not ticked enough questions to complete the paper, try to answer a mixture of ticked’ and ‘question marked questions. Try to answer a maximum number of questions.
Deciding on the time for each question
In deciding on timing, consider whether to spend the same time on each question. spend less than the average on your best-known question. (because you can answer them quickly) spend more time than average on your best answer (because you
want to increase your overall mark)
Decide on the order
How would you decide to maintain the order in answering the order on the paper?your best questions first? your less known questions first?
In general, the safest order is to answer the best known questions first. You may spend a little extra time on them. But make sure that you leave enough time to answer the other questions as well. You must answer as many questions as possible to complete the paper.
Review Questions : Answer the following questions.
1. Are there different types of tests? What are they?
2. What is the aim of a Profile test?
3.How is a Formative test designed?
4.What is the aim of a Summative test?
5. What are the follow-up actions of Formative and Summative tests?
6. What are the purposes behind organising your notes?
7. What methods will you follow in practising skills which you don’t know well?
8. How would you prepare yourself for preparing for Application test?
9. While taking a test what tactics you might need to follow?
10. Which is the safest order followed generally in answering questions?
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