Guide to College

Examinations are a fundamental (and often stressful) component of the contemporary college experience. Prospective undergrads can expect to take dozens of tests and quizzes between now and graduation day. The format and style of these exams vary by subject, level, and instructor. The most successful college students learn to adapt their test-taking and studying strategies accordingly.

We've broken down the different types of exams found on college-level examinations and assembled a few of our favorite tips for approaching different testing material and improving studying comprehension. The bottom line is simple: there is no substitute for thorough, thoughtful studying.

First, we’ll discuss different exam formats you are likely to encounter as a college student. Let's begin by listing some effective strategies and tactics that will help you excel during any exam, regardless of structure.

1. Manage your time: Since the majority of your college exams must be completed within a certain time frame (typically the length of one course day), you need to ensure every minute is effectively used. According to an article by U.S. News & World Report contributors Jeremy S. Hyman and Lynn F. Jacobs, you should make a “tentative plan” as soon as your professor hands out the exam forms. Note the number of questions, point values, and any optional sections. Then you can determine how much time to devote to each question. “Don't waste too much time outlining your answers, writing down formulas you've memorized, or (when given a choice) starting a question and then stopping and starting another question,” the article notes. “You're being graded on the quality of your answer, not on notes to yourself or false starts.”

By the same token, it's important to pace yourself, especially if you are given two or three hours to complete the exam. Hyman and Jacobs suggest taking a brief break between completed sections if time allows. Also, try not to feel overly panicked if you encounter a problematic section or set of questions. “Ignore such instantaneous feedback,” they write.

Finally, avoid leaving class once the exam is over, even though your professor might allow it; if you finish before time expires, take some extra time to proofread your essays and double-check your answers to multiple-choice and fill-in-the blank questions.

2. Carefully follow all of the directions: Many students are tempted to breeze through their exam instructions in order to capitalize on the time they've been allotted, but an exam tutorial from St. Edward's University urges test-takers to meticulously review all of the directions. Some exams only require students to complete a certain number of the questions or essays (as opposed to all of them), so a quick read-through could potentially save you a lot of time.

Additionally, it's important to note the terminology of the instructions. If you are required to write an essay that “summarizes” or “outlines” a certain concept, for instance, then do not go into a substantial amount of detail; on the other hand, you should avoid over-generalized language in essays that call for you to “analyze” or “illustrate.”

3. Don't second-guess yourself…too much: “Trust your instinct” is, according to many academic experts, a tried-and-true exam-taking aphorism. However, there are pros and cons to second-guessing yourself on the day of the big exam. You should only regard your instincts as trustworthy if you have taken the time to thoroughly study the material that appears on your exam.

Now that we've discussed some effective strategies for all college exams, let's explore the three most common testing formats.

Since multiple-choice questions are found on many high school exams (as well as the SAT, PSAT, and standardized tests in all 50 states), most college students are familiar with this format before enrolling in their first batch of undergraduate courses. These questions are typically accompanied by three to six possible answers; in some cases, more than one answer may be correct. The following example illustrates a standard multiple-choice question.

Which of the following individuals DID NOT sign the Declaration of Independence?

The definitive answer is E. George Washington. Some multiple-choice questions will be a bit more complicated, however. For instance:

Group 12 of the standard periodic table of elements contains elements that are:

If the student is instructed to circle only one answer choice, then D would be considered the most correct. However, A, B, C, D, and E are all technically correct, as Group 12 is comprised of elements with each of the three occurrence properties.

Tips for multiple-choice questions: According to a study guide from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire (UWEC), multiple-choice questions require students “to be familiar with a much broader range of material than essay exams do” because there are so many different answer possibilities. These questions force students to memorize key dates, formulas, vocabulary terms, and other assorted materials. You might score a few extra points from sheer guesswork, but, by and large, students should not expect to score a high exam grade by “bluffing” their way through multiple-choice questions.

The content of multiple-choice questions generally follow course reading assignments. Students are encouraged to make vocabulary flashcards, bulleted lists, and data tables that organize different terms into easy-to-understand groupings. An effective strategy when taking a multiple choice test is to: