How should I study for different formats of tests?

One question and only one correct answer.

• Do not rely solely on memorization. Actively engage in the material by making connections between course concepts.
• Pay attention to the details, relationships and differences between concepts.
• Using practice questions, cover up the answers and try answering the questions on your own

Analyze or solve a question or statement (four or more paragraphs).

• Understand all the course content and how different concepts connect to each other.
• Try explaining the concepts to someone else to make sure that you understand the connections.
• Practice writing long answer questions.
• Visit the Centre for Learning Strategy Support or a writing centre to learn to write better.
• Practice creating thesis statements and essay structures.

Verify if statement is true or false.

• Study all the course sections instead of focusing on a few sections.
• Do not rely solely on memorization, actively engage in the material by making connections between course concepts.
• Pay attention to the details, relationships and differences between concepts.
• Using practice questions, cover up the answers and try answering the questions on your own

Written answer or analysis (one to two paragraphs).

• Study all the course content in a way that you understand the connections between different principles and theories.
• Focus on the why and how.
• Use practice tests to practice answering short answer questions.
• Time yourself to make sure you can answer the question in the time you will be allotted during the test.
• Practice creating thesis statements and outlines for short answers.

Solve a problem or perform calculations.

• Study out of sequence.
• Use practice tests to practice solving the problems in full.
• Do not memorize solutions. Instead, learn the strategy behind the solution and practice it using different problems.

Take the test to work on at home over a defined time period. Take-home tests are more in depth than in-class tests and may include long and short answer questions.

• Study all the assigned course materials and familiarize yourself with the key themes.
• Make note of major themes, concepts and examples as you may have to refer to them later.
• Familiarize yourself with where definitions and other important information is located so you can find it easily for the test.
• Practice creating thesis statements and essay outlines.