Counselors give advice on test taking
by Cindy Moorhead, reporter

    Students who attended the Test Your Best seminar last week on NE Campus received help with test-taking skills.

    Dr. David Brownlie and Debbie Kaiser, academic advisors, presented the seminar.

    The advisors placed the participants in a semicircle allowing the students and speakers an easy view of each other.

    The speakers encouraged attendees to provide feedback and ask questions during the event.

    Students started the seminar by telling what they liked or disliked about taking tests.

    Several of the students said they were attending as an extra credit assignment by one of their instructors.

    Another student commented that she was attending because she had been out of school for some time and needed a refresher in test-taking.

    The seminar was presented in two parts with Kaiser explaining how to study and Brownlie covering test anxiety and test-taking strategies.

    Brownlie advised attendees of the need to follow up on test-taking skills.

    “One workshop, no matter how well-designed, is not magic,” he said.

    Kaiser began the workshop by passing out handouts, which complemented the overhead projector presentation.

    Her presentation covered time management, organization, note-taking and classroom and study tips.

    “One rule of thumb is for every hour spent in class, you have to spend a minimum of two hours studying,” she said.

    Kaiser encouraged students to keep a school/work/family balance and keep the rule of thumb in mind along with personal obligations when signing up for classes.

    Kaiser’s study tips included having a regular, quiet study place, memory tricks and small segments of study time with frequent breaks.

    “Don't ever study more than two hours at a time,” she said.

    Kaiser concluded her portion with “stuff your mother told you”—getting a good night's sleep, eating breakfast and arriving for the test in plenty of time.

    Brownlie provided several handouts to accompany his segment.
He spoke on relaxation techniques prior to taking a test and about physical and mental test anxiety symptoms.

    “Being prepared for a test can lessen feelings of anxiety,” he said.

    Brownlie covered specific types of tests including essay, true/false and multiple choice.

    He advised participants to read the essay questions carefully. Students often rush through directions on a test, Brownlie said, instead of fully reading them. Such haste can affect grades.

    Brownlie cautioned students to read an essay question thoroughly to see if the instructor wants an explanation, a summarization or comparison and contrast of items.

    “Multiple choice tests are classically designed with one major distractor item that competes very closely with the correct answer and then several less probable ones,” he said.

    Brownlie also discussed instructor test styles and the importance of finding out the instructor's perspective prior to an exam. He concluded his portion with a discussion on attitude.

    “Your attitude about a test can affect you,” he said. “One can work to reduce levels of test anxiety through positive self-talk. Replace negative self-statements such as ‘I hate tests’ with ‘tests are becoming easier for me,’” he said.

    Brownlie has worked for the college for 16 years. Kaiser has been at TCC for a total of 19 years.

    Both have offices in the counseling center in the Student Center.

    Brownlie said that further assistance in study coaching is available at the counseling center.