Besides downloading a corrections officer test study guide its probably a good idea to review common mistakes that most candidates make so you won’t repeat the same mistakes.
Read below to learn common mistakes and pitfalls that many applicants make and how to avoid them.
To provide some strategies to offset common test-taking errors:
This article explains errors typically made by examinees when taking a test with multiple choice format questions.
It includes steps to identify the types of errors and strategies to help minimize making the same errors in the future. Please keep in mind the following guidelines:
- REPETITION and PRACTICE are the key elements to familiarizing yourself with the strategies.
- Many of the strategies suggested for each of the six ability areas (reading,writing,math,reasoning,memory recall) apply only to questions testing those areas. For example, suggestions that pertain to Memory questions apply only to those types of content questions.
- Consider using the general test-taking techniques only when you are uncertain or do not know the answer to a question.
GENERAL CORRECTIONS OFFICER TEST-TAKING STRATEGIES
Here are some general test-taking strategies that may be helpful:
Understand the test format and requirements
- Read all of the directions carefully.
- Understand how to correctly mark the answer sheet. (You will be given specific instructions at the test site.)
- Ask the test Proctor to re-read the instructions on the marking of your answer sheet if you are not sure if you understand the instructions.
- Know how many hours and minutes you have to complete the examination. You are responsible for monitoring your use of the allotted time. (Applicants are typically given three hours to complete the 80-question entry-level Correction examination.)
Understand the test question
- Read each question carefully. Try to answer the question before you look at the choices. If you know the answer, compare it to the available choices and pick the choice closest in meaning to your answer.
- Mark the test questions to make them easier to read as you may write in your test booklet. Specifically:
- Use slash marks to break down sentences into small segments. This approach helps to separate ideas in long sentences.
- Circle key words that identify the subject of a sentence or passage. This makes it easier when you have to look for the answers later.
- Find and underline clue words such as SOME, ALL, EVERY, SOMETIMES, AND, and OR.
- Words such as ALL, NEVER, NONE, and EVERY harden a statement and indicate there are no exceptions. As a rule, statements including these words have less of a chance of being correct.
- Words such as SOMETIMES, MAY, GENERALLY, and POSSIBLY soften a statement and leave more room for the statement to be correct.
- The word, “AND” means that one element of the statement must be present or true, in addition to another.
- The word “OR” means there is a choice of situations; only one of the elements of the statement must be true for it to be a correct answer.
