• Just a little warning - some Biol 1009 questions tend to be synthesis-type questions.  This means that the question is asking about something you haven't learned specifically, but you do have the information you need to answer it.  For example, you did learn A and B and by bringing A and B together (in other words, synthesizing information), you can answer C.  These can be challenging if you aren't used to them.
• The following is a basic strategy for taking multiple-choice type exams (or quizzes).
• Don't look at the answer options right away!
• Use your "bubble" sheet to cover up the answers, so that you only see the question.
• Read the question carefully (see tips below), and try to come up with the answer yourself without looking at the answer options.
• Write down what you think the answer is, then go on to the next question and do the same - if an answer doesn't come right away, leave it and go back to it later.
• Once you've gone through the whole exam that way, go back to the beginning.
• Look for the option most similar to your answer and fill in that answer bubble.
• As you get to the questions you had trouble with the first time around, give them another try, again without looking at the answer options.
• Just keep going through like that until you've answered all of the questions.
• If there is a word in a question that is not familiar to you, you can try asking one of the exam proctors.  If it isn't terminology you were supposed to learn for the exam (for example, "oxidation" is a word you are usually tested on in Exam 1), the proctor will try to help you.  (Remember, we can't give you the answers, but we can try to clarify.)
• Make sure you are filling in the correct bubbles, especially if you skip some questions to come back to later.
• Save the hard questions for last!  If you answer the ones you know first, you'll maximize your score.
• Read questions CAREFULLY!!!  Make sure you pay attention to words like "always" and "never".  That might seem pretty obvious, but when you're in that bizarre psychological state known as "taking a test", it is very easy for your nerves to take over and your logic to flee screaming.
• Take your time!  There should be PLENTY of time for you to take the exams.  People very rarely take the whole time to take the exam - most (but not all) people are finished within 45 minutes.  (Hey, you could use that extra time to double-check your answers!  Don't be discouraged if it takes you a little longer - remember you're more likely to make mistakes if you rush.)
• Don't overthink the questions!  I can't tell you how many times I've seen students make questions much more difficult than they really are.  For some reason, students think instructors are out to trick them.  Maybe there are some instructors out there like that, but the Biol 1009 instructors are not intentionally trying to trick you!
• If you get stuck on a question, come back to it later - you might read another exam question that could help you out with that one.
• Here's another basic strategy for taking multiple-choice type exams you've probably heard before:  don't second-guess yourself!  Unless you are totally positive you were wrong the first time, go with your first choice.  Usually your first gut reaction is the right one - how many times have you taken an exam, only to say to yourself "why did I change that answer?  I had it right the first time!"

• Don't try to memorize concepts!  It's almost impossible to do that.  Instead try things like:
• making flow charts
• making tables
• do drawings
• come up with analogies (but be careful, a poor analogy can really mess you up)
• writing a sentence or paragraph explaining/describing the concept in your words
• (More to come before the next quiz I hope!)

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