Helpful Hints For Taking Math Tests

Writing a Math test can elicit feelings of anxiety.  This article outlines some useful strategies to help students reduce their anxiety and move through the test with workable objectives.

• The night before the test get plenty of sleep.
• Eat well prior to the test (both protein and carbohydrates.)
• Take your I.D., three or four pencils, eraser, your watch (and if allowed, a calculator with freshly installed batteries.)
• Arrive at the test site a little early.

If you find yourself getting anxious before a test, walk briskly for a few moments to get your heart rate up just a little (this takes the edge off any adrenaline jitters.)

Many math tests are done using paper and pencil.  The main objective is to maximize your total score in the time allotted with limited penalties.  Some tests are divided into sections and provide an outline of how long you have on each section.  Many tests just give you an allotted time to finish it all.  Whether you are using paper and pencil or online test taking, it is best to follow some simple rules. 

• Working in a test book, use any available blank space for figuring, as needed.  Otherwise ask for scrap paper to help you with solving the math problems.
• Circle your answer choice on the page.
• Also write the letter of the answer choice next to the problem number.
• Do the ones you know how to do and can do quickly.
• Star any problems that you think you know how to do but will take more time.
• Circle any problems that you don’t know how to do. If it is not a multiple-choice question, take a guess. There is no penalty for guessing on these short answer types.

Consider the movement through the test as the first wave of answering the problems. 

Now that the questions you are certain about are out of the way, go back through the test and return to the problems that you starred.

• These are the questions that you’re fairly sure you can figure out, but that need more time. Typical of this level of problem would be the ones in which you must try all possible answers to eliminate the incorrect ones.  Consider this the second wave. 

Now, for the third wave, spend what time you have remaining (not including your last three minutes) working on the problems.

• Up to now, you have maximized your points given the time constraint. On multiple-choice problems, if you can eliminate at least one answer as incorrect, guess. If you cannot eliminate at least one of the choices, it will be better not to guess. If there is no penalty for incorrect responses, then guess freely.

When you have used up all your time but the last three minutes, stop working. Use the last three minutes to fill in your answer sheet and check it at least once to be sure you have marked the correct response for each problem. You may be able to check them all twice.

Put down your pencil and relax until the next section, if sections are timed individually. Congratulations, you have done your best.

Please note: For computer-based tests, you must first check if you are allowed to skip questions and move backward and forward in the software to answer the questions in a similar manner as paper and pencil tests.  This is very important for avoiding penalties.