Exam Analysis Form

 

For each wrong answer on your exam, mark down its point value under the category that best describes why you made the error.

 

  1. The information was not in my notes.

 

  1. I studied this information for recognition, not for recall.

 

  1. I misread or read too quickly the question and/or the selection of answers.

 

  1. I felt this information was not important.

 

  1. I totally misunderstood this concept.

 

  1. I “blanked” on this question. I remembered the material after I left class.

 

  1. I changed the right answer to the wrong one. I was not confident in my understanding of the concept.

 

  1. I should have asked for clarification of the wording of the question.

 

  1. Other

 

Note which categories most of your mistakes were in, then check below for suggested remedies.

 

SUGGESTED REMEDIES TO IMPROVE YOUR LEARNING AND FOCUS YOUR EFFORTS.

 

  1. If you download my lecture notes, take your own notes on the material as it’s covered in class. The notes are not complete and you will need to make notes to yourself to explain the concepts presented in class.

-         It is essential that you recopy your notes in your own handwriting (preferably before the next lecture session) and study from those. This is important if you are relying solely on the notes posted on my webpages. Never study directly from the downloaded notes.

 

  1. If you reread your notes/text over and over, and can see in your mind where the material was on your notes, but can’t recall it, you were trying to memorize rather than learn. You must actively engage in the material:

-         rewrite your notes in an outline format

-         make note/flash cards

-         use the study aids I provide on my website and make up your own study aids

-         answer questions: checkpoints and self quizzes in text, and the quizzes on the cd that comes with your text

-         form a study group and quiz each other

-         attend help sessions

 

  1. – As you read each question on the exam, cover the answers and circle of underline important words in the question. Jot down notes in the margin if it’ll help you recall the material.

-         Try to answer the question without looking at the answers provided, and then look for the answer you came up with.

-         Skip hard questions: answer them last. Go on to the easier ones first.

-         Use the process of elimination and cross out obviously wrong answers to narrow down your choices.

 

4 and 5. A study group is the best way to catch these mistakes. Among the 2 or 3 of you, you will usually be able to correct each other’s misunderstandings, or realize that you need “professional help” and can ask me for help.

- If I repeat myself then the concept is important and you need to know it. The more I repeat something the more important it is.

 

6 and 7. Lack of confidence commonly leads to anxiety and a tendency to second-guess yourself and causes you to change your answer(s).

- If you’ve followed the above suggestions, be confident that you will never see anything on the exam that you haven’t covered, or been given the information to apply to a solution.

- Don’t ever change your answer, unless you have an “AH HA!” moment and suddenly recall a vital fact. Always go with your first impression.

- Always have me check your worksheets and study aids, or compare with someone who has had me check theirs.

 

8. I can rephrase a question if you ask. I can’t help if you don’t ask.