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Top 5 Tips for Online Test-Taking: Open-Note Tests

March 24, 2020 by Jackie von Spiegel

Online tests might now be open-note, but you still need to study. Here’s how.

1. Don’t wing it – Study like you can’t use your notes

  • You won’t have time to Control-F through everything.
  • Test questions may ask you to apply, analyze, or compare/contrast information to test your understanding and knowledge of the content.

2. Understand and prepare for the test format

  • What material will the test cover?
  • Is the test timed? What is the time constraint?
  • Know what materials you are allowed to have when taking the test: textbooks? Handwritten notes? PowerPoints? The internet?
  • Do you need to cite sources?

3. Get organized so you can find information efficiently

  • Use sticky notes to flag important topics in your notes/textbook.
  • Color code by topic, concept, or section.
  • Place formulas into a separate, easily accessible place.

4. Create a concise summary of your notes

  • Paraphrase and condense your class notes into a summary
  • Create concept maps, diagrams, and charts to identify relationships between concepts

5. Don’t use your notes until you have to

  • Take a first pass at the test, answering questions without your notes.
  • Then answer the rest of the questions, prioritizing the ones that you can easily find in your notes.
  • If you have time at the end, check your work using your notes.

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Filed Under: Online Learning, Test-Taking

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