Common Test-Taking Errors
Research has shown that there are six types of test-taking errors commonly made by students taking Math tests. You can improve your test scores by watching out for these errors before they occur. It's also a good idea to review your graded Math exams to see which category your errors fall under.
Six Common Errors
1. Misreading the Directions
- Failure to read directions.
- Ignoring the directions.
- Not reading the directions carefully.
- Not understanding the directions.
To avoid these errors:
- Read all directions on the test carefully.
- Follow the directions after you have read them.
- When doing homework and practice tests, note the directions (ie. "solve," "simplify," "evaluate," "factor," etc.) and know the procedures that these directions are asking you to do.
2. Careless Errors
- Lack of focus on what you are doing.
- Becoming tired or distracted.
- Sloppy handwriting.
- Disorganized presentation of work.
To avoid these errors:
- Don't rush through an answer.
- Look for sign errors.
- Look for arithmetic errors.
- Work in a neat, organized fashion.
- Check all your work!
3. Concept Errors
- Not understanding how to do a problem.
- Not fully understanding the concepts and principles behind a problem.
- Lack of practice in working similar problems.
- Failure to attend class, take notes or do homework regularly.
To avoid these errors:
- Learn all the material well before the test.
- Study examples from the textbook, class notes and homework.
- Take all practice tests in the textbook and from your instructor.
- Create your own practice test.
4. Application Errors
- You know the concept, but cannot fully apply it to a problem.
- Lack of practice in applying the concepts before the test.
To avoid these errors:
- Practice all types of application (word) problems before the test.
- Memorize methods for specific applications (for example, mixture problems).
- Use your self-confidence and intuiton to apply concepts in a new way.
5. Test-Taking Errors
- Bad test-taking habits.
- Inefficient use of time on a test.
- Not completing a problem to the last step.
- Doubting yourself and changing correct answers to incorrect answers.
- Spending too much time on one problem.
- Rushing through the test.
- Miscopying the question or steps in your work.
- Leaving answers blank.
- Calculator errors.
- Leaving a test early.
To avoid these errors:
- Review the test at first decide about how much time to devote to each question.
- Complete the entire problem and answer the question being asked.
- Procede through the test in a methodical way, at a steady pace.
- Check all your work for correctness in copying questions and steps.
- Work all problems as much as you can.
- Be careful how you input numbers and operations into your calculator.
- Stay in the classroom until the end of the test; check your answers again if you have extra time.
6. Study Errors
- Uncertainty on what concepts and skills the test will assess.
- Not spending enough time studying, learning and practicing the material.
- Not practicing checking your answers.
To avoid these errors:
- Know on what material you will be tested.
- Overstudy the material.
- Do all available practice tests beforehand.
(adopted from Winning At Math by Paul Nolting.)