Test Preparation Checklist

A helpful way to assess whether or not you are thoroughly prepared to take an upcoming exam. Some of you may be studying for an exam for various purposes: 

• to enter post-secondary education,
• to complete a course in your academic field,
• to obtain licensure in your chosen career field,
• to enter a certain career field,
• to enter a branch of military service,
• to get a driver's license,
• and so on.

This test checklist, although it was originally designed by Chemical Engineering professor Dr. Richard Feldman for his students, is applicable to anyone who seeks to not only perform well on an exam, but also wants to have a deep understanding and retention of the subject matter. When you prepare for your next test or examination, consult this list to check your test preparedness. It's not only a great resource-it's an excellent tool for self-assessment and personal accountability.

Test Preparation Checklist

This checklist was developed by Dr. Richard Felder.

Answer "Yes" only if you usually did the things described (as opposed to occasionally or never).

Homework 

__ Yes  __ No  1. Did you make a serious effort to understand the text? (Just hunting for relevant worked-out examples doesn't count.) 

__ Yes  __ No  2. Did you work with classmates on homework problems, or at least check your solutions with others?

__ Yes  __ No  3. Did you attempt to outline every homework problem solution before working with classmates?

__ Yes  __ No  4. Did you participate actively in homework group discussions (contributing ideas, asking questions)?

__ Yes  __ No  5. Did you consult with the instructor or teaching assistants when you were having trouble with something?

__ Yes  __ No  6. Did you understand ALL of your homework problem solutions when they were handed in?

__ Yes  __ No  7. Did you ask in class for explanations of homework problem solutions that weren't clear to you?

Test preparation 

__ Yes  __ No  8. If you had a study guide, did you carefully go through it before the test and convince yourself that you could do everything on it?

__ Yes  __ No  9. Did you attempt to outline lots of problem solutions quickly, without spending time on the algebra and calculations?

__ Yes  __ No  10. Did you go over the study guide and problems with classmates and quiz one another?

__ Yes  __ No  11. If there was a review session before the test, did you attend it and ask questions about anything you weren't sure about?

__ Yes  __ No  12. Did you get a reasonable night's sleep before the test? (If your answer is no, your answers to 111 may not matter.) 

TOTAL:  ____ Yes  ____ No 

The more "Yes" responses you recorded, the better your preparation for the test. If you recorded two or more "No" responses, think seriously about making some changes in how you prepare for the next test. 

References

Felder, R.M. (1999). Memo to Students who are Disappointed with Their Last Test Grade. Chemical Engineering Education, 33 (2), 136-137. 

Oakley, B. (2016). A Test Checklist (Lecture Video). Retrieved from: Coursera and University of California San Diego Learning How to Learn Coursera: http://www.coursera.org/learn/learning-how-to-learn