1	Winning at Math Series Set III Taking a Math Exam Center for Academic Assistance FLORIDA GULF COAST UNIVERSITY
2	Sources This study guide is adapted from the text, “Winning at Math” by Paul D. Nolting, Ph.D., Academic Success Press, Inc., 1997. The author of this presentation, Robert Brownell, Ph.D., Applied Mathematics, University of Virginia, has over 30 years combined experience teaching university level mathematics and training engineers in industrial simulator design and operation.
3	Really dreading a math quiz or exam ? Thinking you can’t do math ? Maybe it would help you to know that most people dread taking a math exam. Did you know you can learn how to take math exams? That’s right… there is a technique for taking math exams to give you a better advantage in your score, and in presenting what you really know. This study guide can help you learn basic skills not only to survive an exam, but to come out of it feeling you showed your best work ! It will take persistence and work on your part, but you will start to see results right away.
4	The First Concern - Fear ! It is pretty obvious to most of us that test anxiety is based on the fear of failing. Not Funny ! But it is true… Several techniques have proven helpful in reducing math text anxiety but - They must be coupled with an improvement in study skills and a desire to do well in math for the long-term. Test anxiety is a learned response, based on past bad experiences in math. With time and practice, it can be “unlearned”.
5	Working on the Anxiety Try to promote a positive view: Most often, the real reason for poor learning of mathematics is poor study skills, NOT your ability to learn and understand. You can reduce anxiety by learning better math study skills, thus improving your performance in math. Part I of this series, “Successful Homework”, explains how to develop skills for successful math homework. Successful homework provides a guide for successful exam review. The state of panic, paralysis, helplessness, and mental disorganization that some students feel during math exams, or when solving math problems, is not uncommon. There is excellent help to overcome it. If you experience similar intense anxiety, please contact Learning Resource Services for assistance.
6	Working on the Anxiety A relaxation response involves any procedure that helps you to become relaxed instead of feeling anxious. These procedures are often used to counter stress in working environments. With proper training, you can learn these techniques. Try to avoid negative self talk. That self critical inner talk is what we use to “kick ourselves” and project our failure. Try to recognize it and counter it with more positive statements about yourself: “I prepared hard for this test . I have done the best I can to prepare. I will use all the test time to good advantage.” “If some problems are hard I will not get discouraged.” “I have learned new skills for taking math tests. They have helped others and they can help me too!”
7	Before the Exam Mental preparation is important for any stressful event, including an exam. Start preparing at least three days in advance. Work on the exam review with a steady, yet relaxed pace. Do not cram the night before the exam! Get enough exercise and rest . You have come this far in helping yourself, and you can continue to improve your learning skills every day. Review your old tests for conceptual errors. Seek the help of your teacher, tutor, or friends. Make a summary sheet of important facts. Review it the night before the exam and the morning of the exam.
8	At the Exam --- Warm Up! In the exam room, do a “memory data dump” on the back of the exam, or on a new sheet of scratch paper. Write down those formulas and facts you kept in short-term memory for quick recall. This “warm up” starts the thinking process, and relieves your memory load. Read the whole test through once. Mark all problems that you can do immediately. Do the easiest problems first, providing a successful start. This will also get you warmed up, and will allow the adrenaline rush to slow down so you can think more clearly.
9	At the Math Exam After you have worked a problem or two, do a second memory data dump. You can recall more facts as the adrenaline wears off. As you finish the easier problems, proceed with the more difficult problems. Read each problem through twice. If you still cannot work on it, go to the next one. The mind often works on a tough problem while you are working on another one, and you may remember more facts. Keep filling in the blanks on the difficult problems as you remember. A few good facts are better than a blank response.
10	At the Math Exam If you have any unsolved problems, write down the approach you might take, and any facts you can recall that show you know the correct approach. Often there is a good chance for partial credit for knowing a reasoned approach or a workable guess, even if you have forgotten a formula. You are being tested on your ability to reason, as well as your knowledge of solution methods. Do not spend too much time on any single problem, especially if it does not carry a high point value. Work on others, then come back to it if there is time at the end of the exam.
11	At the Math Exam Use all the test time. No one is downgrading you because you work slowly. Making slow, steady, progress is a virtue in mathematics. Being fast and uncertain is not good. Some of the first to leave the exam may have left half the test undone. Some of the last to leave the exam may have been checking their work. Check your work for obvious, “careless”, errors.
12	At the Math Exam Make sure you have signed your exam. Hand in all scratch work with your exam. When the scratch work shows that you were on the right track, the professor may reward you with a few more points. We hope this study guide has been helpful. Center for Academic Assistance, FGCU