Saturday, May 28, 2005
Test-taking Tips (alliteration, yooo)
Here are some tips that you can apply as you take your practice (and real) Regents exams:
1. When you don't know the answer to a given multiple choice question, analyze the DIFFERENCES among the four answer choices. Try to classify them (you may have to use your reference tables as an aid) in terms of metal/nonmetal, electrolyte/nonelectrolyte, soluble/insoluble, gas/liquid/solid at STP etc.
Usually (almost always) the (Sesame Street) choice that is not like the others is the correct answer. Just re-read the question to see whether your classification makes any sense.
2. Few people realize that an answer in one part of a test may help to answer a question in another part of the test. Use your answers/diagrams/questions from part A mult. choice to help you answer questions in parts B-2 and C and vice-versa. I have seen these opportunities in our past practice Regents already.
3. As usual, read each question at LEAST two times (once slowly, once at a normal pace) and circle/underline key terms BEFORE you predict your answer to the question (yes, always try to predict your answer, if possible). THEN, consider the answer choices.
I think that you have proven to yourself this year that this method can prevent you from losing points on questions that you know the answer to but, by not being methodical, you missed.
I am preparing a file based on the NY State Regents standards that contains questions/answers regarding applications of chemistry. Many of the B-2 and C questions are application questions and, though you can logically figure out an answer, it is easier if you have seen the application before. I also am going to post a practice test of multiple choice questions that are particularly tricky or difficult along with an answer key. I should have that done by the end of next week. You can do that sometime between the end of school and the Regents.
B-bye for now...
1. When you don't know the answer to a given multiple choice question, analyze the DIFFERENCES among the four answer choices. Try to classify them (you may have to use your reference tables as an aid) in terms of metal/nonmetal, electrolyte/nonelectrolyte, soluble/insoluble, gas/liquid/solid at STP etc.
Usually (almost always) the (Sesame Street) choice that is not like the others is the correct answer. Just re-read the question to see whether your classification makes any sense.
2. Few people realize that an answer in one part of a test may help to answer a question in another part of the test. Use your answers/diagrams/questions from part A mult. choice to help you answer questions in parts B-2 and C and vice-versa. I have seen these opportunities in our past practice Regents already.
3. As usual, read each question at LEAST two times (once slowly, once at a normal pace) and circle/underline key terms BEFORE you predict your answer to the question (yes, always try to predict your answer, if possible). THEN, consider the answer choices.
I think that you have proven to yourself this year that this method can prevent you from losing points on questions that you know the answer to but, by not being methodical, you missed.
I am preparing a file based on the NY State Regents standards that contains questions/answers regarding applications of chemistry. Many of the B-2 and C questions are application questions and, though you can logically figure out an answer, it is easier if you have seen the application before. I also am going to post a practice test of multiple choice questions that are particularly tricky or difficult along with an answer key. I should have that done by the end of next week. You can do that sometime between the end of school and the Regents.
B-bye for now...
# posted by C @ 10:35 PM 
