Fire Promotional Written Exam Outline
THE WRITTEN EXAMINATION
Student Notes
TOPIC: IMPROVING WRITTEN SCORES
Behavioral Objectives:
Upon completion of this session, the participants will be able to:
- Understand how to prepare for the written examination
- Identify the four basic steps in a study program
- List methods to improve reading speed and retention
- Identify the need to pre-read a text
- Relate the benefits of study partners
Introduction:
For many of us, taking a promotional written examination brings on a state of nervousness. Worrying about what to study, trying to figure out how much time to spend on certain topics, developing a study program and all the other apprehensive thoughts that go through your mind. The first step to reduce that state of nervousness is to identify and analyze the reasons for being nervous. The following are several of the most common causes of nervousness.
Not being prepared
Peer Pressure
Stigma associated with past experiences taking examinations
Lack of knowledge of the testing process
Not considering oneself a “Good test Taker.”
This training will help overcome the concerns above. This training session will help you get in condition for the written exam with the result being a satisfying written score.
Preparing For The Written:
Most important key for success
Developing a study plan
Studying plan components
Purpose
Selection of material
Effective reading
Review
Selection of Material:
Past practices
The need to learn enough material
Analyze the testing process
Analyze the teat maker
Effective Reading:
The process of reading and retaining material
Pre-Reading
Introduction and Summary
Topic sentence reading
Not a substitute for thorough reading
Read, Read and Read
If you can read, you can do anything
A good test taker
Good reading environment
Quiet place
Free of distractions and interruptions
Sit in a firm upright chair
Not a lazy boy
Good lighting
Speed reading
Increases concentration and retention
Study Techniques:
Don’t Highlight
Margin pencil marks
3 X 5 cards
Study partners
Advantages
Commitment
Motivation to study
Cover more material
Ask each other questions
Study schedule
R & D
Reciprocal benefit
Test Day:
Remain cool calm and collected
Use common sense
The night before
Arrive in plenty of time
Light reading
Be a little hungry
Have some caffeine
No sugar
The Test:
Listen to the proctor
Plan your time
Check the answer sheet every 25 questions
Don’t linger over difficult questions
Skipping questions
Changing answer
Don’t rush
Take the entire testing time
SUMMARY:
The best way to improve written scores is to be prepared for the test and to understand the written process. Being prepared is not a one shot study period or a week long cram session. Short, intensified study sessions over a long period of time, with regular review sessions is the best study system.
There are four components of a successful study program. They are:
Purpose
Selection of material
Effective Reading
Review
Understanding these components and taking advantage of the information gained through implementing the process will help you do well on the examination.