Testing Tactics Two Check Your Answers Then Check Your Answers Again.

As recommended by Planet College you are now intent on taking the entire time alloted for the test. If you have not practiced this approach to test taking you may wonder what to do with the time if you actually finish the test with time left. 

This is what to do. It is always wise to check your answers. And then check your answers again. This is to assure yourself that you have the correct and complete answer to the examination question. Since you are now using all of the time allotted for the test you have time to do this, answer checking.

Answer checking is an essential step toward getting the grade you wish on the test and for the course. Answer checking is particularly useful if your testing involves a Scantron(c) .  Under the pressure of testing, filling in a Scantron(c) often becomes problematic for average students. It is possibly due to the way they are laid out, roughly the equivalent of an eye-chart test. Hurried test takers can easily mark the wrong space. Very frustrating. Which is why this post emphasizes checking your answers and before turning in your test, checking your answers again. There is nothing more frustrating than getting a test back with an answer marked as incorrect, which as far as the grader knew is, but only because you marked the wrong little space.  So, again, before handing in your answer sheet check your answer. And check your answer again.

Testing Tactics One Take The Entire Time

On Planet College mid-terms may be dissapearing in your rearview mirror but that can only mean finals will be arriving soon.

If you are satisfied with your performance on your recent mid-terms then fine, congratulations and good job!

But if you are dis-satisfied with your results, here is an advisory from Planet College. How much time did you spend taking the actual test?  Depending on what type of test it was, by the time a typical student on Planet College actually gets the test which they will be taking they are so anxious that they hurry through the actual examination just to get out of there.

Worse yet, we've all see those whizzes who stand up, walk up and turn in their blue book or scantron or blue book and scantron twenty minutes after the test started.  This often freaks out already shaky students who then begin thinking, " Should I be done?"  "Is this test really that easy?"

No. You should not be done and for you, of course, the test is NOT that easy. Nothing is that easy.  That there may be some championship test takers in your class, well good for them. But that does not help you.

Which leads to the following testing tactic recommended for average students.  Take the entire time. For the test. Use the entire time given to take the test.  Whether it is two hours, one hour or fourty minutes use every minute to take the test. You are not in a race. You are not graded on completion time. You are graded on correct answers.

Deciding you will take the entire time for the test and then doing so will reduce the pressure somewhat and possibly allow for clearer thinking.  And that could only be helpful.

Spell Check May Not Be Your Friend. But It Can Still Be Useful.

Seasoned veterans of Planet College have learned to be wary of running any spelling and grammar checking feature on whatever word processing program they may be using. Planet College has detailed the potential heartbreak of depending on such a program here.

If the pitfall detailed in that post is discouraging read further.

Spelling and grammar checking programs do have a place. Just not as the final this-is-the-print-out- I-will -hand-in.  There are too many opportunities for glaring errors. Mainly this is true because final copies are usually printed out at 2 a.m. just before you pass out from exhaustion. Or, worse, ten minutes before class.  Either way there is no means to do a final real effective check of the work. And for the kind of work you except to complete now a final check is absolutely necessary.

This factor becomes more important as you progress.  Early on, like way back when you were a freshman, you handed in anything because as a freshman you just did not care. You probably figured, " Hey I turned it in. Give me an A." That did not work out and since then you have progressed both in your respect for the difficulties of actually completing a worthwhile paper and in the care you take in your work.

Which is why Planet College counsels students to use the spelling feature of you writing program early and often. As you progress through the writing of the paper pause and run the spell check. Watch it carefully but especially watch it for obvious errors.  These programs are so coldly logical that they will invariably recommend " there " for " they're " and other such simple but useless recommendations. When you are done with your final copy print it out and look at it carefully.  Ideally if you can, print it out the night before. Next morning look it over for errors.  It is likely you will be much more capable of spotting needed corrections after at least a few hour sleep. Then you can run your final print out.

Use Your Diploma As A Down Payment.

An international automobile corporation currently has an advertising campaign which features the statement at the head of this post, Use Your Diploma As A Down Payment . Their wish is that you purchase one of their new models. The offer is that if you have recently graduated you will receive favorable terms on the financing when you buy this car.

       This campaign can tell you something about the status of graduates, those who hold a diploma, in the eyes of merchandisers, sellers and suppliers of products abd services.

        First of all, it does not take a marketing major to recognize that the intended market is those who are new to the full time work force. From this position the automobile company would like the buyers to establish a pattern of buying their brand. By offering what, at least seems to be a  pretty good deal, they feel they have an opportunity to establish a repeat buyer. If they make good cars they probably will.

         Secondly, it is generally believed and backed up by numerous research studies that college graduates earn more than those who don't have a diploma.  Another good reason to seek out graduates as customers.

          Further reflection will show you that you are valued not only as a consumer but also as a trend setter. If the car company can get enough college graduates as regular customers that elevates their status with the general car buying population.

          These simple observations may promote an equally simple but profound realization about you and your pending status as a college graduate, a degree holder.

          You have value. You have earned it. You have value not only to marketers but also to employers and the general population. You are putting the work in, day to day, to improve your effectiveness as a contributing member of society and the human race.  Your diploma represents far more than a down payment. It is recognition of your continuing value. And no one can take that away from you.