Test-Taking Strategies

August 28, 2025

Posted by STLCC in Tutoring Resources 

Preparing for college tests can be challenging. Even if you read your textbook, study your notes, and develop study aids, you may want strategies for taking the test to ensure that you do your best. This resource offers suggestions for preparing for and taking the test that are sure to make you feel more confident.

Preparing for the Test

• Utilize homework and quiz questions to test yourself. Make sure you answer every question using only the materials that will be at your disposal during the test.
• Turn each heading and subheading of the text into a possible essay question. Answer the question either in verbal or written form.
• Practice with a friend. Ask each other questions until you can answer each one without looking at your notes.
• Get plenty of rest the night before the test.
• Eat a healthy breakfast.
• Plan to arrive a little early for the test. This gives you time to ask last-minute questions and hear last-minute directions.

True/False Tips

• If just one part of the statement is false, then the entire sentence is false.
• Strict qualifiers often reflect a false statement: always, never, exclusively, only, all, none, etc.
• Modest qualifiers are more likely to reflect a true statement: sometimes, generally, many, etc.
• Be careful with double negatives: not, -dis, -im, -un, -non, etc.
• Statements with two negative words are positive.
• “Reason” statements tend to be false. Words including because, reason, since, etc., often indicate a “reason” statement.

Answering Essay Questions

• Do a memory dump. Write down all the information you have memorized in note form.
• Read the questions thoroughly.
• Use the wording in the question to answer the question.
• Before writing the body of an essay on a test, write an outline of your main points and supporting points. Check to make sure you have answered the question before you begin.
• Reread your essay. Correct grammatical mistakes. Make sure you have answered the entire prompt. If you left something out, add it in the margins.