Teacher Certification Resources

The below offers many tips for taking exams, such as how to manage your time, approach multiple-choice items, and complete constructed-response or essay items successfully.

Remember: 

• There is nothing sacred or specific about the way in which questions are ordered. Tackle the questions in the order that appeal to you most and/or that are easier for you to answer. Doing well on a question that you feel good about can be reassuring. 
• You don’t need to get all of the questions right, you just need enough right to pass! There will be some questions you’re unsure of or don’t know how to answer. There will be others that you’ll be able to answer more easily. Don’t stress individual questions or getting a perfect score - just focus on passing!
• Take care of your mind and body the day before, and the day of, the test. Make sure you get plenty of sleep the night before the exam, and eat something before your exam. If you feel yourself getting tense or anxious during the exam, pause to take several long, deep breaths. Try to maintain a positive and affirming mindset by reminding yourself that you can do it!

• Determine a pace that will ensure you complete the whole test on time (e.g., no more two min per item)
• Do a “brain dump” on your test’s scratch paper before you begin the test that includes all of the information you don’t want to forget (e.g., formulas, concepts, definitions)
• Answer the easiest questions first, answer the hardest questions last
• On a reading test, answer the questions with shorter or more interesting passages first
• If answering a question with a reading passage, read the question(s) before the passage

• Read directions carefully, and/or out loud if preferred 
• Rewrite questions or terms in your own words
• Place a label on the question in terms of type (e.g., memorization, application, multi-step, etc.)
• Underline and focus on the key words in the question 
• Predict what the answer may be before looking at the answer choices, or write your answer plan or idea before solving or selecting an answer choice
• Eliminate wrong/nonsensical answers first
• Draw a diagram or try to visualize what’s being described in the problem
• Identify personal connections to a topic presented in the question
• Avoid second-guessing; your second guess is often wrong

• Use scratch paper to jot down ideas, organize your answers, and remember details (dates, formulas)
• Write an outline of your answers to the essay questions before drafting the essay
• Organize your answer as in any well-developed paragraph by expressing your main idea and then using supporting facts and details to prove your statement
• Use the technical language of the subject when possible
• Use partial answers and outlines if you are not sure or are running out of time

• Give your best guess on questions you really have no idea how to answer 
• Detect similarities or differences in the language of options and determine correctness
• Never leave an answer blank, give your best guess then flag to come back to it later if time permits

• Check to ensure you’ve answered every question
• Review questions where your answer did not match any of the answer choices and try again
• Reflect: How many questions do you believe that you got right? Is this enough for you to pass? If time is remaining, should you go back to questions you initially flagged?

The information on this page come from:

• Dodeen, H (2015). “Teaching Test-Taking Strategies: Importance and Techniques.” Psychology Research, February 2015, Vol. 5, No. 2, 108-113 doi:10.17265/2159-5542/2015.02.003.
• Kolomitro K, MacKenzie LW, Lockridge M, Clohosey D. Problem-solving strategies used in anatomical multiple-choice questions. Health Sci Rep. 2020 Dec 3;3(4):e209. doi: 10.1002/hsr2.209. PMID: 33305012; PMCID: PMC7714269.
• Millman, J; Bishop, C; and Ebel, R. (1965); “An Analysis of Test-Wiseness,” Educational and Psychological measurement 25: 707-26.
• Petchauer, E (2019). “Navigating Teacher Licensure Exams: Success and Self-Discovery on the High-Stakes Path to the Classroom. Taylor & Francis. 31.
• The College Board (2019). “Test-Taking Approaches & Tips.” Website. https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat-subject-tests/taking-the-test/test-taking-tips