Preparing for TestsI. Preparing for tests—To under

Preparing for Tests
    Good morning, everybody. The topic of today’s lecture is preparing for tests.(1)You need to understand the importance of tests, the best methods of preparation, the common sense required for both a physical and mental approach to them, how to read instructions and questions correctly, and how to answer the way the tests or teacher expect you to answer. This is one of the most valuable psychological benefits that can come from your education.
    People have different attitudes towards tests.(2)Do you ever consider the tests or examinations as a personal battle which the teacher wages in an attempt to defeat you or do you see it as a contest in which one tries to outwit the other? The difference in attitude can be seen in the difference between two questions: "Why did you take off points on this question?" and "What should I have included that I did not?"
    Another attitude that you should avoid is that of fear.(3)Fear of taking a test results in tension and disturbed thinking. Students who are afraid start in a state of confusion and disorder. Thus they throw away the advantages they have gotten by preparation. Students who approach tests with fear are almost always characterized by the following: 1)Their grade is considerably lower than their daily recitation grades, sometimes as much as twenty points lower. 2)They complain about the teacher-insufficient explanation, lack of detailed review, etc. 3)(4)They find fault with the test materials—too long, not the type of questions expected and studied for, didn’t understand the wording of questions. 4)Fear drives these students to study for the test with another student.
     (5)A third attitude is wholly positive. It is the attitude of challenge, self-confidence, and content-reliability.(6)This attitude requires the relationship between student and teacher, and question and answer, always to be one of cooperative production rather than competitive destruction.
     (7)To adopt an attitude of challenge and self-confidence towards tests and examinations, you must first understand the real purposes of tests.
     (8)First, the motivation. From the student’s point of view, the first reason for tests is motivation. Few of us are self-disciplined and motivated enough to educate ourselves without direction and requirement.
    A second reason for tests is that they provide students with a chance to show how much they have learned. Daily recitation does not provide such an opportunity.
     (9)A third reason is that students gain insight into what the teacher considers most important. If test questions deal with main topics and essential principles, the student can accurately estimate the nature of future and larger tests.
     (10)A fourth important reason is that students can discover both their shortcomings and the extent of their progress. They can carefully study their errors and the general areas in which they occur.
    Now that you understand the reasons for tests and examinations, and how they benefit both student and teacher, you should not groan when a test is announced. If you manage this, your grade will manage itself. That’s all for today’s lecture.