Ace my exam !

It’s the teacher’s lounge and we’re discussing the results and we’re discussing the results of last weeks tests the first of the semester.   “I only gave 3 A’s” said  Professor J to a nice round of impromptu applause.  “ I did better than that” smirked  Professor   W.  “my average score was 72 barely a C and I refuse to grade on a curve”  .  A smattering of cheers erupted.  Not to be out done  Professor  K. boasted “not one student answered any of my trick questions  correctly”  to a response of high and low fives everywhere.  Professor Beauregard simply smiled and waited for the din to reside.  With his 37 years of experience he knew he had beat them all.  He slowly drawled “Ladies and Gentlemen of the Profession… I must duly inform you that over two thirds of my student population failed to receive a passing mark. My streak of 50% or greater test failures remains intact. ”  The eruption of shouts and chest bumps was so boisterous that the Dean looked in from next door and quickly joined the celebration. 

Now, admit it, which one of us hasn’t walked out of at least 1 test in our career absolutely,  positively without doubt, sure the teacher was part of a conspiracy to ruin our grades!!  Ah you remember the test and teacher…even better.

Think about it though..what does it say if most of the students door poorly on a test .  Well my first thought is that the material was not covered in a way that students could understand it and then  apply it to the questions on a test.   Well not that I’m going to give A’s to everyone and then pat myself on the back and say “great job Professor K “ but it’s a warning sign if so many students would do poorly.

So here are some tips that might help you do better on tests at least in my class.

• Since now you know that we (professor and student) have the same objective (a good grade for the student) develop a positive mindset.   Change you thinking from “the test demon is going to get me”   to “I am going to put  a plan together for test success” and then execute that plan. Focus on the benefit of the end result!  Something positive not something negative

So what can you include as part of your plan to help you succeed.

Before the exam.

1. Pay attention during class for hints about what might be on the test and capture thouse in writing when they are given.  When a professor says things like

a.      Now this is important

b.      Here are the key points, or even

c.       This might  be on the test.

he/she is  giving you verbal clues during class about what you might be tested on. I know I’ve dropped some hints either about homework or tests in class…did you catch them and then write them down?

2. Be sure you understand exactly what the test will cover and its format  m/c  essay etc. If its essays you actually might want to try to outline some probable questions.

3. Probable questions?  If you think about it after awhile you can probably predict what can be on the exam.  Don’t really believe that?   Here’s a testimonial.  In college I had Professor Greenway for one class each semester for junior and senior years.  His tests were always 4 essay questions. By senior year I could predict  a minimum of 3 of the 4 question on each test and my studying would be to outline the answers  (I’d outline 5 answers and at least 3 were always  on the test) .  My friend Jim was barely passing so I told him to study with me.  I told him we were only going to outline 5 essay questions and I  would help him know those cold. Guess what? I nailed the 4 exam questions and Jim got an A for the first time on a test. 

 

Now that not quite a s good as when Jim and I were playing doubles in tennis against our statistics Professor and he was cleaning our clock.  We figured we could escape the beating by telling him we had to go study for his test the next day.  No such luck as he replied “ if you limit your studies to x y and z you’ll have time for another set and still do well on the test. “

4. Find good study guides ..practice tests etc.    For this class its easy you have access to

a.      Potential essay questions (outline them)

b.      Multiple choice practice tests 

c.       And in the Schermerhorn book study guide reviews thought each chapter.

d.      Don’t forget about vocabulary. You know those word found in the margin. Odds are if you understand the definition you will know the test answer.  

Incorporate these into your  success plan.

5. When you have a practice question review the entire topic as the test will be different but similar. For instance if a practice question was   “ is task expertise a diver of personal creativity?”   It would be best to review all the drivers of personal creativity as the test question is likely to be on the subject but changed around.

a.      Back to the statistics class.  I used to study for that class with my friend Jack.  He knew the homework better than I did and helped me out as we reviewed potential test problems. However he focused on memorization I focused on learning the concept.  When the problem was changed around in the test (a different variable was the missing one) he was lost and I breezed through the questions.

 

6. Writing things down when studying this helps you remember.  In this class since you can bring notes outline the answers to potential questions.  Don’t write out the answers key words in an outline should work.  Do the same with other key points.  Don’t overdo it or you won’t find the material during the test or it might confuse you.  

 

 

7. Personal preparation,   enough sleep  something nutritious to eat, exercise and putting aside personal distractions will help you better focus.

Day of the test.

1.       Come to class on time (actually a few minutes early) so you can be prepared  and unrushed when the test starts.  Make sure you bring everything you need scanton , pencils,  paper   notes etc.   If you were a betting person I can tell you that in a class of 40 at SAC the over/ under is 5.5. That means that around 5 or 6 students are likely to come late or not have materials etc scantons etc for the test.   Don’t let that be you!

2.       Most students don’t think about time management   when taking a test but an instant of time management will  help  maximize your score.  When you get you test take a moment before you start to glace thru it  and check out what you have to do and how much the points are worth.  For example your test has 40 m/c questions totaling 60 points  2 essay questions worth 20 points each  and your class is 80 minutes.   Your time management might look like this.

                                                                i.       Initial Review  5 min

                                                              ii.      M/c questions 40 min

                                                             iii.      Essay 1  15 min

                                                            iv.      Essay 2 15 min

                                                              v.      Final review 5 min

If you spend 60 -70 minutes on the multiple choice  odds are you won’t have enough time on the essays to do well.  Check the clock or your watch once in a while to stay on track.   Sorry  don’t ask to check your phone… keep it put away.

3.       As part of your initial review in the first 5 minutes read the essay questions.

a.       If you see something in the multiple choice that will be good to use in the essay you can mark it

4.       Tricks for multiple choice

a.       Go through the test once and  answer the ones you know. 

b.      If it’s a choice between two answers circle both and come back to them

c.       Don’t spend eons on one question if there are 40 questions that means you have  1 minute per..

d.      If you have no clue during final review  at least mark an answer as long as no points are deducted for wrong answers.  If you have it down to two pick one of those its 50/50.

e.      Every few questions double check you’re filling in the correct line on the scantron and bring a good eraser in case you mess up.

5.       80 minutes is a long time to stay focused .  Its ok to give yourself a mini break at your seat to recompose during the test.  Lean back close your eyes… refocus etc.

6.         Everyone’s different but  find that when I second guess myself my first answer was usually right.   If you prepared then  you were probably right the first time.

After the test.

1.       Don’t fret you can’t change it .  Sometimes talking to others makes it seem worse,  I remember as I walked out of the CPA exam I thought I had done ok.  After listening to everyone else I went from ok to oh no I really butchered it.  The results don’t come for months and I worried every day.  Turned out I did really well and should have tuned out all the noise after the test.

2.       When you get back your test

a.       If you did well congratulate yourself but think what you did that led to your success and repeat it for your next test

b.      If you did below your expectations ask yourself what you could have done better and incorporate that into your plan for success the next time.  What caused the poor result.

                                                               i.      Poor time management during the test?

                                                             ii.      Misreading a question? Essay or m/c..  read questions carefully don’t rush!

                                                            iii.      Failure to follow directions?

                                                           iv.      Sudden mind blank on things you knew?

                                                             v.      You never really understood the concept in the first place?

3.       If all fails as a last resort why not discuss things with your teacher. 

Hope this helps .........good luck 

School of Rock meets Mangement Theory

If you have seen the movie School of Rock ( hopefully you have) one of the scenes in the classroom is when Dewey (Jack Black) hass diagrammed on the board the history of influences in Rock.

Heck you can’t turn around without hearing where your favorite band drew their inspiration, which artist influenced another, the roots of the new hottest cuisine or even who inspired someone to greatness. 

Why do we care about the past?  Do we want to be in the know?  Do we think it gives us and edge?  Does it help us connect better to the present?  We all might have our own reasons.

If you were in history class (or have you escaped that forever? ) you might hear.

·         History  repeats itself

·         Learn from the past

Or if you had a more philosophical teacher maybe

·         Knowledge of history frees us to be contemporary.  ~Lynn White, Jr.

When we’re trying to  solve a problem between our friends (great mediators that we are) were are likely to ask for some background information about what led up to the problem.

So why should the study of management be any different.  Today’s  Practice of Management has its  roots in management theories of the past. 

Think of the term bureaucracy. Was that model of management  a reaction to and solution for problems of its time?  How did it evolve today to the negative image of “faceless Washington Bureaucrats”.  Did something go wrong?  Did   the concept fail to change with the times?  Is today’s focus on personalization in conflict?   Did it simply fail to evolve?  Or is it still quite valid and just gets a  undeserved bad rep to make headlines? Or  an easy thing to blame when cry baby can’t get their pampered individual way?

Everyone loves the DMV right?  Bureaucracy at its worst right?  All the horror stories!  Now I’ve never had a problem but then again I’ve never needed to ask for exception.  And I do make appointments . And my daughter did take her diving test in Norco ‘s office ( no freeways to drive  less traffic on the test route) .  So is bureaucracy working or did we just beat the system.  What if I needed an exception would I have felt the same way? 

Looking at the past might give you an insight as to concepts and ideas you can modernize to be successful as a manger today.   For me I’m always up for stealing an old idea and modifying it to make  it work for me today rather than reinventing the wheel from scratch .  What about you? 

Game of life and management

Out of all we are covering this week, during the introduction to management one area I’d like you to give some thought to is the many  roles mangers play. Think about yourself in one day how many different roles you might play?  For part of the day you’re a student, then maybe a caregiver, a budget manger (household finances), service provider   (chef, chauffeur). Think about how quickly you move from one role to the next in any given day. Sometimes it’s easy sometimes it too much.    You prioritize your limited time and try to accomplish as much as you can in a day.

Now think about ( yes stop reading close your eyes and imagine) a manager, supervisor   or other   you know and try to visualize how many different roles they might play in one day.  The same tough choices apply to a manger.

I found this interesting article (well at least to me  it is interesting) about the roles we play in  the game of life and I decided to see if they apply to management as well .

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/394060/roles_we_play_in_the_game_of_life.html?cat=72

It might help to read the above article first.

Star Athlete – This might have been why you got promoted to manager in the first place.  You had the best task skills and everyone noticed your performance. The catch is that the same skills that got you promoted might not lead to success in your next position.  Are you constantly learning and preparing for your next position?

Team Captain – As a manager it’s not just about your individual success it’s about the success of you and your team (work group). Your modeling the behavior and values that are important for team success.  Your coworkers look up to you because of your talents but elected you because they know you will go the extra mile for  your team.

Coach – You impart the knowledge and wisdom you’ve learned to bring out the best in others.  Often not high profile work  but  in the long term everyone  knows the playbook and  has practiced the skills they need to foster team success.  With good coaching it’s amazing how  the playbook is turned into scoring drives.

Benchwarmers – Keep your head down and don’t make waves.  Some supervisors just go with the flow.  The benchwarmers are most likely to be cut.  Firms look for a contribution.

Players – You might be a team captain in one role while at the  same time being a player in another situation.  Maybe your on a group project and another manager is the team captain. You would not  be there if your performance wasn’t counted on for success.  It’s important to have the self management to know when to move in and out of each role based upon the situation.

Cheerleaders  - One of the most underestimated roles of a manager.  Providing visible encouragement and support for the success of others.  Not taking credit for their successes but letting them shine.

Refs – Enforcing all the rules and regulations.  Don’t let this be your entire job.  But blow the whistle and mark off a 15 yard penalty when necessary.   Make your reputation one of calling a consistent game, not giving the star athlete preferential treatment and don’t be known slowing down the game with ticky-tac fouls.

Hope you found this interesting. Have a different view?  something to add? Comment please!!

Working Smart Better Grades Lessssssssssss Work ( almost guaranteed)

 If you are reading this  I'm making an assumption  or two
   1.  your planning to do well in the class
   2  curiosity caught up with you
   3   your surprised your teacher blogged.

Before we start a few disclaimers... you know those things you see or hear at the end of ads

1. that are in such small print you need a magnifying glass
2. that are said so fast you still can't catch them when you replay
3. that are so confusing you know they are out  there to trick you. 

Disclaimers

1. You have no need to read this blog all material you need for the  is posted on the class web site
2. Please contact me if class related via blackboard ...  feel free to comment here but remember this is not an "official class site. "
3. Enough of disclaimers back to normal size type

This week the primary focus is on study stills? Why,  might you ask ? Simply put if you develop good study skills  they will carry over to the workplace as great employee skills  and you will do better at your job than others... get promoted faster..earn more money ...  have less stress  etc.   Think of  these as lifelong career skills  .  Think of learning how to study as learning how to print money.  It may take you a while to get it right but once you do.....

So assuming that you want to get a good no let's say a  great grade in the class. How do you go about making it appear? Wave the magic wand? not quite work your (beep beep) off 24/7 well you could I guess but that's  not much fun  so the trick is to work less  but smarter.  Notice I didn't say harder i said smarter. Smarter means finding a way that  works for  you and then applying it consistently until it becomes a habit.  It's like going to the gym.. once you get in the routine to go and someone shows you how to use the machines properly  or the right moves in the class it suddenly becomes so much easier and you feel that you benefit from your efforts.  Well its  the same with studying  its a learned skill. 

So how can you spend less time studying or working in this class and get a better grade. Well here are my suggestions ( they will work for any class)

1 - 5 minutes of organization--- do you have the book--notes,  blackboard log in , pencils etc all in one place so when you go to study its all there?

2- Over the weekend (or at the latest Monday ) ignore  your bff's texts for 10-15  minutes, quit  playing that game on your phone, tivo the tube (you can fast forward thru the commercials) to make up time  and actually check out what you have to do for the week.

1. Look at your syllabus  do you have an assignment or a test?  when is it due?
2. Print out your homework assignment.   Read through it quickly and highlight anything special.  Do you have to talk  to someone  read something etc. etc.   jot down on the paper  a few brief notes ie call friend so i can set up an interview with him/her etc.  Also highlight areas that you might want to pay attention to when reading the chapter or participating in class.   This way when you read or hear something that would help with the homework you'll know it and can jot it down. (have paper and pen  with when you read) now if you have a mac or droid there's an app for that

3- Read the text before Tuesday's class   then class is the 2nd time you touch the material so it becomes more familiar.
     so you hate reading  and beside you only have 15-20  minute blocks of time . Well the good new is ( and im referencing the schermerhorn book... chapter 1 )  The chapter is officially 24 pages and if you back out the intro story and study guide pages its about 3 sections of 6 pages .  Can you make time to read  one  6 page section  before class?    then make time for the other two   not all at once, i do understand life takes precedence, but with short bursts of good study time I know you can do it.

4-  Now there is a simple way to get the most out of your reading time ( and reading cover to cover isn't it) .   For each 6 page section start by reading the study guide.  read the rapid review.  Now you know the key points  the text will be explaining.  The text is explaining these points .   The read over the "Be sure you can section.   Just by reading these questions you've already engaged your brain power to work for you.  You 'l l find that you'll recognize the answers while you read the  book   Check out how long it takes for one 6 page section .  After a while I bet you'll find  wow I can get this classes reading done during time i used to waste.

5- Its hard to read when you are distracted.

  turn off the phone get comfortable.. I have a nice chair on my patio. Its comfortable and I'm not disturbed . It's so easy to be distracted  so if you can avoid distractions you'l finish in half the time.  If you are one of those people that always looks up  if you go the the library use a cube ( not all the time just when you need to focus)

1. as you are  reading always read the definition on the page before you read the section
2. Don't skip the charts ..lots of test material comes from charts. look at the chart before the section read the section look at the chart again.  Don't understand  it?  That's a question for class .  Charts use colors and shapes sizes to get the point across .
3. do you disagree with anything in the text or is it unclear again great for questions in class.  The beauty about management is that its not math and these is more than one right answer. 
4. If these is something in the reading that will help you with your homework or if you have an idea. write it down.   in the book  ,  on a post it  great for use with books . etc.  that way it's right there and you don't have to think about it. 

  Now about homework?

What is the biggest mistake students make.

1. not doing it.. well  I  guess that's the biggest
2. cramming  that's right up there
3. skipping extra credit .. free points ..  that's kind of like turning down free money but many students do.

But the one common mistake is not following directions.  Did you think about what is actually expected ? did you cover all the points?  You can never go wrong rereading the instructions and double checking you completed what was asked.  And then double checking again.

These suggestions may not work best for  you but if you are spending to much time studying, or not enough because you didn't break it down into small pieces that match your time frame or  you feel your  grades don't match your efforts why not  give it a try?