| So, you're sitting in front of the Biology review book | | | | having a system for analyzing the question and the |
| for the NY State Regents exam and wondering how | | | | choices given. Remember that no matter how hard |
| you can possibly memorize all the information in it. Or, | | | | and how well you study, you will know some areas |
| maybe you're wondering exactly how much you | | | | better than others. Sometimes, you will be sure of |
| need to memorize to get the grade you want. | | | | the answer. Sometimes, you will have a pretty good |
| Although, memorization plays a key role in success on | | | | idea. And sometimes, you may feel stumped. But, |
| the exam, it is not the only key. In fact, if you spend | | | | never guess. And never respond to a question |
| only part of your time on memorization and part on | | | | without reading all of the choices. Good students |
| cultivating other skills, you will be more successful. | | | | who approach the Regents without a system often |
| You will need to: | | | | respond too hastily. What happens? They spot |
| • Develop strategies for analyzing test questions | | | | relevant buzz words in one choice that fit the |
| • Develop a logical and strategic approach to | | | | question. Believing that there is no need for any |
| every question on the Exam | | | | further careful reading or analysis, they fail to attend |
| The Regents is like a marathon race. Sure, you need | | | | to the other choices and they neglect the choice |
| to work on the physical aspects of preparation or in | | | | that more correctly answers the question. |
| the case of the Regents, on memorization. But, if all | | | | But, what do you do if you are stumped? Even, if |
| you do is run your hardest in your practice or in the | | | | you don't fully understand the question, don't settle |
| race, itself you are likely to lose. You need strategies | | | | for making a wild guess. Break down the question, |
| for pacing yourself and for dealing with the | | | | focus on the terms that you do understand. Then, |
| unexpected - like not losing your cool if the race | | | | use your logic. Even if you can't initially pick out the |
| shapes up differently from what you had anticipated. | | | | correct answer, you may know enough about the |
| Of the 75 questions on the exam, approximately 60 | | | | subject to know that one of the choices is clearly |
| are multiple choice. These 60 or so multiple choice | | | | wrong. Put a mark through that choice. In fact, take |
| questions fall into several distinct categories and if | | | | advantage of the fact that the Regents does not |
| you approach each category with a strategy tailored | | | | care how much you scribble on the test sheet. Any |
| to that category, you will maximize your score. The | | | | note taking you can do to help jumpstart your |
| questions can be divided into the following five | | | | thinking process or jog your memory will clarify and |
| categories: | | | | focus your thinking - a crucial step in problem solving. |
| • Questions based on diagrams that call on your | | | | If you still can't figure the answer out, look at |
| knowledge of facts. | | | | neighboring questions. Sometimes, the Regents asks |
| • Questions based on diagrams that call on your | | | | a series of questions that are logically connected. If |
| knowledge of processes. | | | | you understood one in the series, you can apply the |
| • Questions based on charts that call on your | | | | information present in that question and the logic you |
| ability to predict outcomes based on data. | | | | utilized, to understand the one you are stuck on. |
| • Questions based on reading an essay. | | | | In general, approach the Exam like a puzzle that has |
| • The rest - questions in which all the information | | | | valuable information and clues spread throughout. Any |
| given is stated in the question. | | | | time you are uncertain as to the correct response, |
| Keep in mind, as well, that the 15 or so short answer | | | | utilize any scrap of information you can find. It may |
| questions, where you are asked to compose your | | | | lie elsewhere in the exam. It may be on your mind. |
| own brief answer, fall into these categories, as well. | | | | But, you haven't focused on its relation to the |
| They ask you to interpret either an essay or a chart. | | | | question at hand. Keep thinking and writing notes on |
| Let's start with the last category, 'the rest.' It | | | | scrap paper. Be prepared from the moment you |
| comprises the largest group of questions of the | | | | enter the room to engage the Exam in this active |
| Regents and memorization is critical for answering | | | | way. |
| these questions. But, you will add to your score by | | | | |