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General Rules for Test Taking
Briefly look over the entire test to see what is ahead of you.
Read the directions and make sure you understand them. If in doubt, ASK.
Know the scoring policy! Are you penalized for guessing?
Determine how you will use your time. Have a watch or clock and pace yourself. Shoot for the most points in the time you have. Allow time for:
- Reading directions, previewing the test.
- Completing items (according to their value).
- Break time (in a test which is more than one hour in length, give yourself five or more minutes to clear your mind, stretch, and go to the restroom).
- Go over difficult or skipped items.
- Check to see that your responses were marked in the correct places on the answer sheet.
Sincerely attempt every question. Avoiding it completely because it looks hard is self-defeating. However, hard questions can be left until last, unless they carry a great deal of value and you need more time to ensure answering them.
Do not read things into the question. Take them at face value.
If you think you know an item but are not sure, mark your response and come back to the question. Remember, however, first impressions or intuitions tend to be correct; if you do change your answer, make sure you have a good reason for doing so.
Answer questions you know first. This relieves tension and gives you confidence, thus loosening up material from your memory as you proceed. Go back to the ones you skip later, of course.
If the question seems unintelligible, reword it or break it down into parts.
Beware of mandatory words such as "never," "must," or "always." The obvious answer might not be correct if there are exceptions to the statement.
Words such as "seldom," "normally," "generally," or "usually" allow exceptions, however.
Use information from other test items. Often the answer to a question is found in another.
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