Discussion response on improving test taken strategies

STUDENT A

Improving Test-Taking Strategies

​Hello everyone. Test-taking can be very challenging for many students, and establishing areas for improvement is vital for accomplishing a successful outcome. One area I struggle with is the select-all-that-apply type questions since they demand an inclusive understanding of the material. To address this weakness, I have identified five strategies that will assist me to have a successful outcome. The first strategy to improve the outcome is to practice with diverse question types(Al-Khasawneh, 2020). I will start doing practice questions from different sources to handle my weakness in select-all-that-apply questions. Through exposing myself to various question formats and practicing constantly, I will become more skillful in deciphering the challenges of these questions and selecting accurate answers. In addition, another strategy I will integrate is active reading and note-taking. According to Al-Khasawneh (2020), effective test-taking starts with extensive comprehension of the study material. This implies participating in active reading approaches such as jotting down summaries, underlining key points, and creating concept maps to aid in better understanding and retention of information. Also, this vital step will aid me in grasping the content that I need for tackling the select-all-that-apply questions. 

​Moreover, another approach for addressing my weakness is analyzing answer choices keenly. Firstly, select-all-that-apply questions mostly encompass numerous choices that look correct at first glance (Salame & Thompson, 2020). However, by integrating a systematic approach that allows me to select accurate answers, I can carefully assess each option, consider how it applies to the question, and be able to eliminate choices that are not relevant (Salame & Thompson,2020). Furthermore, the fourth strategy I will incorporate to improve my weaknesses is time management and stress reduction. Studies reveal that managing time efficiently during a test is vital for attempting all questions. To address my problem, I will allocate a certain amount of time to every question, depending on its complexity. Also, to prevent anxiety from impacting my performance, I will start practicing relaxation approaches such as positive visualization and deep breathing before and during the test. 

The fifth strategy I will implement to address my weakness is review and learn from mistakes. In assessing the past practice assessment, I will be able to establish the errors I made in answering select-all-that-apply questions, helping me to pinpoint the areas of misunderstanding (Salame & Thompson, 2020). This self-assessment will guide my study efforts to address particular weaknesses. Lastly, as I incorporate these strategies, I am confident that my test-taking skills will improve, leading to better outcomes in my academic pursuits.

References

Al-Khasawneh, F. (2020). Test-taking strategies and reading comprehension: A correlational investigation. Issues in Language Studies, 9(1), 155-165. 
https://doi.org/10.33736/ils.2161.2020

Salame, I. I., & Thompson, A. (2020). Students’ views on strategic note-taking and its impact on performance, achievement, and learning. International Journal of Instruction, 13(2), 1-16. 
https://doi.org/10.29333/iji.2020.1321a