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Tips for Taking Tests
It is natural for anyone approaching an examination to have some anxieties and nervousness. The anxiety level is likely to be even higher for individuals who have been out of school for several years. The questions on the CSHM examination are multiple-choice (120) and extended answer (20) in nature.
The question statement is called the stem and the answers are called choices. Some of the choices are designed to be plausible but incorrect, and they are called distracters Some will be identification questions, which means that definitions of concepts or facts are being tested. Relationship questions are used to test how one concept is related to or affects another one. Other questions are application in nature, in which a situation is posed and the choices reflect applying certain facts to the situation. Below are some test-taking suggestions that may aid you in performing up to your capabilities and knowledge.
- Mark on the test booklet. The test booklet is for you to use to take the test. Therefore, mark on it by making short notes, doing simple calculations, placing a mark by the implausible answer, or putting question marks by questions you do not answer the first time through the exam.
- Trust your first impressions. There is a correct answer to each question. It is widely believed that your first impression of the correct answer will be a better choice.
- Avoid over analyzing. Be careful that you do not “read” too much into an answer.
- If uncertain, leave blank and return. If you cannot decide on an answer, mark the question in the margin of the exam booklet and return to it after attempting to answer all of the questions on the exam. It is possible that later questions may trigger information useful for those “undecided” questions.
- Don’t stop. If you are stumped by a question, continue on to the next item. Otherwise, you may lose valuable time and rush through the more difficult questions at the end of the exam.
- Don’t look for answer patterns. The psychometric testing process used by the Institute ensures that questions do not fall into patterns. Contrary to some myths, “c” will not necessarily be the most frequent answer.
- Length of an answer is a false clue. One test taking myth is that the longer an answer, the more likely it is to be correct. However, it often is more difficult to write incorrect distracters than the correct answer, so it is just as likely that the longest answer is incorrect as it is correct.
- Eliminate obvious distracters. For most questions there are two distracters that usually appear to be incorrect, one that is likely to be plausible but incorrect, and then one that is not plausible. When you first read a question, you generally should be able to eliminate two of the answers as incorrect. If you cannot decide between the other two, cross out the two you determined to be distracters and then move on to the next question and return to the unanswered question later.
- Identify your answer before reading the choices. After reading the question, try to identify what you believe the answer will be before reading the choices. By doing this, you will more likely have one answer stand out as being correct.
- Use “educated guesses.” If you still cannot decide on a correct answer after eliminating one or two choices, choose one anyway. There is no penalty for guessing on the exam. There is a penalty for not choosing an answer.
- Don’t worry about what you don’t know. If you don’t know the answer to a question, don’t continue to fret over it and let it affect your approaching other questions positively.
- Review your answers. After going through all the questions on the exam, go back and answer the questions you omitted the first time. Also, be sure that you answered all questions and that you marked the appropriate answers to each question.
- Don’t rush. You do not receive more points for finishing first; use the time allowed for the exam to the extent you need so that you give yourself sufficient time to review and check your answers. Also, someone who finishes early may know less than you do, so don’t feel self-conscious about being among the last to turn in your exam.
- Don’t worry after the test. Many people feel drained and inadequate after taking a long exam. That feeling is not necessarily directly related to doing poorly on the exam.
Source: ISHM Electronic Certification Guide
Legal stuff: This material is for training purposes only. Its purpose is to inform employers of best practices in occupational safety and health and general OSHA compliance requirements. This material is not, in any way, a substitute for any provision of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 or any standards issued by OSHA.
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