Short Answer Tests

Short answer
tests

Conciseness is the sister
of talent
Chekhov, Russian

A teacher's primary purpose
in giving a short-answer test is to test whether you have a foundation of knowing the material, usually factual.
Prepare for the test
Develop summary sheets of the course material information.
Focus on key words, events, vocabulary, concepts
Organize and categorize the material, then review

When taking the test

Respond directly to the question or directive
Focus on keywords and ideas called for
Eliminate those that do not directly address the information requested in the test item

Respond and write concise answers
Connect key facts into short sentences according to the test instructions

If you can think of several answers
let the instructor know. The instructor may give you a clue to the correct answer he/she's looking for

A guess made with common sense
could get you more test points than if you leave an answer blank

Flash exercise contributed by Dawn and Lindsay Doyle in Dr. Brad Hokanson's Interactive Media (DHA 5341) c Course, School of Design, University of Minnesota. Edited by Joe Landsberger.

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