ANALYZE YOUR TESTS!!

No matter what class you are in, you should always sit down and analyze a test after it is returned to you.
If you want to improve your grade, you must first determine the types of questions you are missing and
then you can alter your study habits to reflect those needs. Look for patterns in the kinds of questions that
you missed and those that were correct.

Use the accompanying Excel chart to ask yourself the following about each question that you missed:

I. Was the material in my notes? (Yes or no or partly?)

If not, work on note-taking skills. Go over notes in a study group.
Beware!!!! Other peoples notes can be lousy or incorrect!!! If you are skipping class and
depending on others for notes, you could be hurting yourself immeasurably.
If the answers are in your notes but you still missed the question, you need to examine
your study methods.
II. What was the main topic and book chapter that the question covered?
At the end of the test analysis, you may learn which topics or chapters gave you the most
trouble. Then, you need to go back and work on the topic. Biology is like math, in that the
fundamentals are absolutely necessary for understanding more complex concepts. Also the
material will be on the comprehensive final.
III. Was the missed question about a detail, or did I need to have a broader
understanding?
You need to understand both the details (the little picture) as well as the big picture.
When studying details, always stop and ask yourself:
a. Where is this happening?
b. Why is this important?
The summary at the end of the chapter in the book can be very helpful in understanding the
big picture.
IV. Was the missed question a straightforward definition or was it an
application question?
In an application question, you need to know several facts, but then apply that knowledge
to answer the question. If you know about atoms and their orbitals, you can apply that
knowledge to determine the number of electrons in a given orbital. Students often call
these trick questions but they are not.
If you have memorized a bunch of statements but do not really understand them, you will
not be able to apply your knowledge.
V. Did the missed question offer multiple answer options (a&b are correct), or
was it negatively phrased (which one is NOT correct?)?
These types of questions involve logic and reasoning. You can improve your ability to
perform these questions, and you must learn to be especially careful when answering them.
VI. Did I second guess and change the correct answer to an incorrect one on
the test?
If you have studied, have confidence in your knowledge. Go with the knowledge that you
have, use your knowledge to work out questions that you are not certain of, and use that
knowledge to think through difficult questions.
Only change your answers when you are certain-not when you are second-guessing.
Remember your ability to think during an exam is based on your knowledge and your
state of mind. GET SOME SLEEP BEFORE EXAMS!!
VII. What page number and/or figure in the text explains the missed question?
Finding the information and studying it will insure that you have come to an understanding
of what you missed and why you missed it.
NEVER BE SATISFIED with the answer is C, because you will not have learned
anything.
THIS ALSO PREPARES YOU FOR THE COMPREHENSIVE FINAL!!!!

Now, look for patterns in your analysis!

What kinds of questions are you tending to miss?

How can you use this knowledge to improve your performance on the next exam?

What should you do differently next time?