The staff at Alexandria Testing Center would like to congratulate our first time college students on the successful completion of your Fall 2013 Semester. A huge ‘WAY TO GO’ for our students that have only one semester until degree completion.   You should all be proud of your accomplishments this year and realize that the countless hours spent, multiple pages of notes taken, and group study sessions you participated in has paid off.  We look forward to seeing you in Spring 2014!

                      Ten Tips for Taking Tests

1. Read the instructions carefully. Never assume you will know what they will say! Ask the teacher if you are unsure about anything.
2. Read the entire test through before starting. Notice the point value of each section. This will help you to pace yourself.
3. Answer the easiest questions first, then the ones with the highest point value. You don’t want to spend 20 minutes trying to figure out a two-point problem!
4. Keep busy! If you get stuck on a question, come back to it later. The answer might come to you while you are working on another part of the test.
5. If you aren’t sure how to answer a question fully, try to answer at least part of it. You might get partial credit.
6. Need to guess on a multiple-choice test? First, eliminate the answers that you know are wrong. Then take a guess. Because your first guess is most likely to be correct, you shouldn’t go back and change an answer later unless you are certain you were wrong.
7. On an essay test, take a moment to plan your writing. First, jot down the important points you want to make. Then number these points in the order you will cover them.
8. Keep it neat! If your teacher can’t read your writing, you might lose points.
9. Don’t waste time doing things for which you will not receive credit, such as rewriting test questions.
10. Leave time at the end to look over your work. Did you answer every question? Did you proofread for errors? It is easy to make careless mistakes while taking a test.

Avoid the lines and being rushed by taking your exams early.  You don’t want to be one in this crowd.

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Monday-Thursday

9:00 am – 9:00 pm

Friday and Saturday

9:00 am – 4:00 pm

http://www.nvcc.edu/campuses-and-centers/alexandria/campus-resources/testing-center/index.html

Studying in Groups!

Sticking to an agenda is important. Here’s one plan for organizing your group time.

1. First, compare your notes and review old homework. If there is something you have had trouble understanding, write down your questions about it before meeting with your study group.
2. Next, drill each other on facts you need to memorize. For example, What are the four stages of a butterfly’s life cycle? You might want to give each other practice quizzes.
3. Lastly, take the time to discuss “why” questions. For example, Why do monarch butterflies migrate?
   One way to handle “Why” questions is to make a list of the important ones you will want to review. Then divide the questions among the group. At your next meeting, have each person present a lesson about her questions.

Tip of the Day:

Be Prepared!

Start by gathering all your notes, quizzes and other material related to the class.  Set aside time daily to review and memorize material.  Once you’ve dedicated time and effort to the task at hand, you can approach the exam with extreme confidence.  Preparation is a key component to test taking.

There’s a crispness in the air, a hustle and bustle in the hallways and in 17 short days until our Fall Break.  The staff at the testing center wants  ensure all students and faculty have the best possible break possible and that starts with ensuring that you our special holiday hours are posted:

  December 20^th:   9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

December 21 – January 1^st 2014:  CLOSED

http://www.nvcc.edu/current-students/services-to-students/testing/calendar/