| 6/9/2026 7:22:15 AM |
| Changed Course |
| CATALOG INFORMATION
|
| Discipline and Nbr:
CSKLS 332 | Title:
TEST-TAKING STRATEGIES |
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| Full Title:
Test-Taking Strategies |
| Last Reviewed:10/9/2023 |
| Units | Course Hours per Week | | Nbr of Weeks | Course Hours Total |
| Maximum | 3.00 | Lecture Scheduled | 3.00 | 17.5 max. | Lecture Scheduled | 52.50 |
| Minimum | 1.00 | Lab Scheduled | 0 | 3 min. | Lab Scheduled | 0 |
| | Contact DHR | 0 | | Contact DHR | 0 |
| | Contact Total | 3.00 | | Contact Total | 52.50 |
| |
| | Non-contact DHR | 0 | | Non-contact DHR Total | 0 |
| | Total Out of Class Hours: 105.00 | Total Student Learning Hours: 157.50 | |
Title 5 Category:
AA Degree Non-Applicable
Grading:
Grade or P/NP
Repeatability:
00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP
Also Listed As:
Formerly:
CSKL 320
Catalog Description:
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Instruction and practice in test-taking strategies and test anxiety management. Includes developing a positive attitude, identifying and correcting cognitive distortions, and using relaxation techniques; memory techniques; critical thinking skills; expository writing skills; and study skills essential to test preparation, such as note-taking, organization, time management, and reading comprehension strategies.
Prerequisites/Corequisites:
Recommended Preparation:
Limits on Enrollment:
Schedule of Classes Information
Description:
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Instruction and practice in test taking strategies and test anxiety management. Includes developing a positive attitude, identifying and correcting cognitive distortions, and using relaxation techniques; memory techniques; critical thinking skills; expository writing skills; and study skills essential to test preparation, such as note-taking, organization, time management, and reading comprehension strategies.
(Grade or P/NP)
Prerequisites:
Recommended:
Limits on Enrollment:
Transfer Credit:
Repeatability:00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP
ARTICULATION, MAJOR, and CERTIFICATION INFORMATION
| Associate Degree: | Effective: | | Inactive: | |
| Area: | | |
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| CSU GE: | Transfer Area | | Effective: | Inactive: |
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| IGETC: | Transfer Area | | Effective: | Inactive: |
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| CSU Transfer: | | Effective: | | Inactive: | |
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| UC Transfer: | | Effective: | | Inactive: | |
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| C-ID: |
Certificate/Major Applicable:
Not Certificate/Major Applicable
COURSE CONTENT
Outcomes and Objectives:
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:
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Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
1. Explain how study skills such as time management, organization, note-taking, reading comprehension strategies, summary writing, critical thinking, and prediction lead to improved test-taking.
2. Describe and apply positive thinking, cognitive strategies,and relaxation techniques for managing test anxiety.
3. Explain the principles of memory, including the difference between understanding and remembering and recognition vs. recall, and apply a variety of memory techniques prior to and during test-taking.
4. Use appropriate strategies and routines when taking tests objective, quantitative, and essay tests.
5. Apply specific expository pre-writing and writing skills for essay test preparation, execution, and editing.
Topics and Scope
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Note: This is a variable unit course. Depth and details of topics will vary according to the number of units.
I. Strategies for taking various types of exams
A. Objective
1. multiple choice
2. true/false
3. matching
4. sentence completion
5. computer directed
B. Subjective
1. essay, long and short
2. organizing/outlining
C. Quantitative (e.g., math)
D. Scientific and/or vocationally specific exams
E. Standardized (SAT, GRE)
II. Strategies prior to testing
A. Organizing thoughts and information
B. Predicting test questions within different formats
C. Physical, emotional and intellectual readiness
D. Memory principles and strategies
1. different ways to use flashcards
2. recognition vs. recall
E. Time management
F. Integrating different learning styles into study approaches
III. Strategies during testing
A. Time: pacing and management
B. Dealing with mental blocks
1. splashdown
2. brainstorming
3. mind-mapping
C. Organizing thoughts and information
D. Response strategies for different formats
E. Using various answer sheets
F. Proofing exams
IV. Techniques for overcoming test anxiety
A. Developing a positive/optimistic attitude
B. Cognitive strategies
C. Relaxation techniques
V. Information regarding SRJC and related exams
A. Placement
B. Interest
C. Aptitude
D. GED/Proficiency
E. Course, including Credit by Exam
F. Challenge
G. External/licensing exams
Assignments:
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Note: This is a variable unit course. The number and complexity of assignments will vary according to the course units.
1. Weekly practice quizzes in different test formats and on various test-taking skills.
2. Course notebook, including sections such as: Profile (inventories, assignments, tests); Positive Attitude; Study Skills; Test Strategies; Class Notes.
3. Regular homework assignments, including at least 4 reading assignments related directly to in-class quizzes and discussion, midterm, and final exam.
4. Creation of sample essay questions; analysis of essay prompt; pre-writing strategies such as a mind-map and outline.
5. Essay test practice, including paragraphs with strong topic sentences, specific examples and details, and clear and correct sentences.
6. Essay on study and test-taking strategies.
7. Exercises on memory, relaxation strategies, proofreading, reading comprehension, and other test-taking skills.
8. Midterm and final exam.
Methods of Evaluation/Basis of Grade.
| Writing: Assessment tools that demonstrate writing skill and/or require students to select, organize and explain ideas in writing. | Writing
20 - 25% |
| Expository pre-writing and paragraph writing; class notes and outlines; class notebook | |
| Problem solving: Assessment tools, other than exams, that demonstrate competence in computational or non-computational problem solving skills. | Problem Solving
15 - 20% |
| Class exercises; practice quizzes | |
| Skill Demonstrations: All skill-based and physical demonstrations used for assessment purposes including skill performance exams. | Skill Demonstrations
0 - 0% |
| None | |
| Exams: All forms of formal testing, other than skill performance exams. | Exams
45 - 50% |
| Midterm and final exam: Multiple choice, true/false, fill-in, short answer, matching, essay | |
| Other: Includes any assessment tools that do not logically fit into the above categories. | Other Category
15 - 20% |
| Attendance and participation; class notebook | |
Representative Textbooks and Materials:
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Becoming a Master Student, 13th Edition. Dave Ellis. Houghton Mifflin, 2010.
Instructor prepared materials
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