1. Information Gap: I don't remember encountering this material at all or I glossed over it or did not have it in my notes.
2. Retention Gap: I studied this but could not call it up from memory.
3. Misinterpretation of Information: I incorrectly understood the information when I initially read the text or heard it in lecture.
4. Synthesis Gap: I did not make connections between pieces of information.
5. General Vocabulary Gap: I did not know the correct meaning or assumed an incorrect meaning of general vocabulary.
6. Course Specific Vocab Gap: I did not know or assumed an imprecise meaning of a term.
7. Inability to Decipher: I could not get past the grammatical structure of the question or response.
8. Jumping to Conclusions: I did not fully consider all the responses.
9. Rushed Response: I did not have time to consider the question carefully.
10. Over/Under Generalization: I eliminated too much or did not eliminate enough.
11. Misreading: I made decoding errors in reading the question or response.
12. Miskeying: I knew the correct answer but copied the wrong response on the answer sheet.
13. Memory Strategies Not Applied: I didn't consciously apply a variety of memory strategies to transfer information into long-term memory.
14. Test Answers Not Checked: I didn't use extra test time to review my answers.

1. Narrow your choices down by eliminating obviously wrong answers which are almost identical.
2. Try to decide what the answer to the question is before you read all of the choices, but: Be sure to read all answers before selecting one. Sometimes two answers will be similar and only one will be correct.
3. Do not be afraid to change an answer if you feel strongly about it.
4. Do not be discouraged if you cannot answer a question. Leave it and go on. You may find the answer or clues to the answer in subsequent questions.
5. Beware of questions with "no", "not", and "none." These words easily change the meaning of questions.
6. If you have to guess:
Reject answers that use specific determiners such as: everyone, always, never, etc.
Look for grammatical inconsistencies which may help eliminate wrong answers.
Choose the longest, most precise answer.
Choose the answer that is in the middle.
Choose answers which use qualifying terms such as: often, most, etc.
Choose the answer which first caught your eye.

All of these hints work best when used together. It is important to note that nothing will help you do better than studying for a test.

1. Read all of the questions before beginning, making sure that you understand what the professor is asking. LOOK FOR KEY TERMS.
2. Begin by answering the easiest question. This will lessen frustration and build confidence.
3. Jot down ideas which immediately come to mind. Especially those which include specific vocabulary from the course.
4. Make a simple outline of what you will write about.
5. Be sure to keep track of time. *You should spend more time on questions which are worth more points.*
6. Try to write as neatly as possible and leave some space for added ideas or corrections.
7. Before turning your test in, read your answers a final time in order to check for grammatical errors and misspellings.

If any of these terms are still unclear to you, go to your unabridged dictionary. Thorough knowledge of these words helps you give the teacher what he/she is requesting.