How to Study for Standardized Tests

How to Study for Standardized Examinations is a great tool for healthcare students preparing to take their national boards. It may also be useful to a practitioner studying for a recertification exam if they need a refresher on test-taking strategies.This review guide combines a content-based (facts) approach used by many board-review textbooks with a context-based (application) approach to studying, learning and performing on national board examinations. Readers will develop and/or expand their self-efficacy (an evidence-based and widely reported skill required to excel academically) and improve efficiency as they position themselves to obtain maximal scores on their national boards. This text should be read before studying, especially for those students who have trouble with test-taking and need additional strategic support. How to Study for Standardized Examinations expands upon the test-taking strategies that are needed to really excel on exams and includes two multiple-choice practice exams with feedback. The exams are general basic science and medicine questions applicable to all health care students. This text is a valuable study resource for students and practitioners who have a difficult time taking tests.

Reviewers	p. ix
About the Authors	p. xi
Roadmap of This Book	p. xiii
Introduction	p. xv
Preparing for Your Test (Developing Test-Wiseness)	p. 1
Understanding Your Opponent (The Test)	p. 3
You Need a Game Plan!	p. 3
How Do Elite Athletes Prepare for a Sporting Event?	p. 4
Standardized Tests	p. 5
There is No Such Thing as a "Poor Standardized Test-Taker"	p. 5
Teacher-Generated Tests versus Standardized Tests	p. 7
Test Validity and Reliability	p. 9
How Are Standardized Tests Scored?	p. 10
How Do Pilot Items Impact Your Final Reported Score?	p. 10
Summary	p. 13
Chapter 1 Activity	p. 13
Test-Wiseness	p. 15
How Can You Give Yourself the Best Possible Chance to Answer Tough Test Questions?	p. 15
What Is Test-Wiseness? How Can You Become a Test-Wise Individual?	p. 15
How Can You Find Out What Will Be On the Test?	p. 18
Summary	p. 19
Chapter 2 Activity	p. 19
Test Blueprints	p. 21
How Are Tests Constructed? Why is This Information Important to You?	p. 21
Section I Summary and Next Steps	p. 23
Chapter 3 Activity	p. 24
Developing Your T.E.A.M.S	p. 27
It's Not Just About the Test; It's About You Too!	p. 27
Your Will	p. 29
Human Agency	p. 30
Recommendation #1ùBelieve You Are Capable of Obtaining a High Score	p. 33
Why is it Useful for You to Be Aware of Your Self-Efficacy Beliefs?	p. 34
What is the Optimal Level of Self-Efficacy?	p. 35
Recommendation #2ùTake Responsibility for the Outcome of the Exam	p. 36
Why Should the Concept of Locus of Control Matter to You?	p. 37
Recommendation #3ùDevelop and Maintain a Positive Attitude	p. 38
Summary	p. 43
Chapter 4 Activity	p. 44
Your Resources	p. 47
Personality and Preferences Affect Learning	p. 48
What Does This Mean For You?	p. 51
Selecting Your Best Study Resources	p. 52
Summary	p. 57
Chapter 5 Activity	p. 58
Your Time	p. 59
Habitual versus Goal-Directed Behaviors	p. 60
Time ManagementùThe Tools of the Trade	p. 61
Planning	p. 62
Prioritizing	p. 64
Scheduling	p. 66
How Much Time Should You Spend Studying for an Exam?	p. 67
What Should My Study Schedule Look Like?	p. 69
Overcoming Barriers to Accomplishment	p. 73
Maintaining a Healthy Balance	p. 76
Summary	p. 79
Section II Summary and Next Steps	p. 80
Chapter 6 Activity	p. 80
Practicing Your Skills	p. 83
Learning to Perform	p. 85
How Does Memory Work and Why Does It Matter?	p. 86
Pay Attention!	p. 88
Study to Improve Recall	p. 93
Revisiting Study Resources with Memory in Mind	p. 96
Summary	p. 100
Chapter 7 Activity	p. 102
From Tactics to Strategy	p. 103
Self-Regulation Through Metacognition	p. 103
Learn to Get and Use Feedback	p. 106
Summary	p. 110
Chapter 8 Activity	p. 111
Performance Enhancers	p. 113
Reading Skills	p. 115
Self-Testing Techniques	p. 120
Writing Your Own Test Questions	p. 122
Practicing Using Prepared Question-and-Answer (Q&A) Resources	p. 125
Group Studying	p. 131
Summary	p. 133
Section III Summary and Next Steps	p. 133
Chapter 9 Activity A	p. 134
Chapter 9 Activity B	p. 136
Chapter 9 Activity C	p. 137
Taking Your Test (Applying Test-Taking Skills)	p. 139
Executing Your Game Plan (Test Day)	p. 141
It's Time to Show What You Know!	p. 141
Managing the Time Clock	p. 143
Working in a Timed Environment: Keys to Success	p. 144
Summary	p. 151
Chapter 10 Activity	p. 152
Maximizing Your Points	p. 155
How Can You Improve Your Test-Taking Skills?	p. 156
Under What Conditions Should You Change Your Answer?	p. 164
Summary	p. 164
Chapter 11 Activity	p. 165
Minimizing Test Anxiety	p. 167
Recognizing the Signs and Effects of Test Anxiety	p. 168
Understanding the Mechanisms Underlying Test Anxiety	p. 171
Overcoming Test Anxiety Through Interventions	p. 180
Testing as an Aversive Stimulus: Interventions	p. 183
Skills Deficit and Self-Merit: Interventions	p. 184
Cognitive Interference: Interventions	p. 186
Distorted Thinking: Interventions	p. 188
Trait Anxiety: Interventions	p. 189
Summary	p. 191
Section IV Summary and Next Steps	p. 192
Chapter 12 Activity	p. 192
Epilogue: Executive Summary of Book	p. 195
Exercise 3	p. 196
Exercise 3A	p. 196
Standardized Test Websites	p. 199
Essay Questions: A Game Plan	p. 203
The Basics	p. 204
How Are Essays Graded?	p. 209
Avoid Common and Careless Errors	p. 210
References	p. 211
References	p. 213
Index	p. 221
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How to Study for Standardized Tests

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