Test Taking Strategies That Actually Work: A Smarter Way to Prepare, Perform, and Prosper

 Let’s get something straight: most students don’t fail tests because they’re lazy or incapable. They fail because they never learned how to play the test-taking game. They walk into the exam room with knowledge—but without a strategy. And in a high-stakes academic world, strategy is everything.

Today we're going to break down what the best students do differently before, during, and after a test. Whether you're preparing for final exams, board certifications, or even a high-pressure licensing test like the ARRT, this article will teach you how to prepare with precision, reduce anxiety, and perform with confidence.

1. What to Do About Before-the-Test Worry

Before-the-test worry is one of the most common obstacles students face. But here’s the good news: worry is a sign that you care. The key is learning how to use that worry to your advantage.

Acknowledge the Anxiety
Don’t pretend you're not nervous. That only makes things worse. Recognize your anxiety and reframe it: "I’m nervous because this matters—and I’ve worked hard."

Visualize Success
Close your eyes and imagine yourself walking into the test calmly, answering questions smoothly, and finishing with confidence. Mental rehearsal reduces stress and builds clarity.

Avoid Panic Triggers
Don’t talk to nervous classmates right before the test. Don’t check social media. Instead, focus inward. If possible, find a quiet space and give yourself a few moments of stillness before walking into the room.

Prioritize Sleep and Self-Care
Sleep is critical for memory consolidation and focus. No amount of late-night studying can make up for a foggy brain on test day. Eat well, hydrate, and take a short walk before the test to stimulate blood flow.

2. Before-the-Test Study Strategies

The book emphasizes that how you study is often more important than how much you study. Smart test takers match their study methods to the type of test they’ll face.

Know the Test Format
Ask your teacher what kind of questions will appear. Essay? Multiple choice? Matching? Problem-solving? Each one demands a different prep style.

Condense and Simplify
Create one-page summaries for major topics. Highlight key terms, dates, formulas, and cause-effect relationships. Use mind maps or charts if they help.

Use Active Recall
Don’t just reread your notes—quiz yourself. Explain concepts out loud. Cover up your notes and write out what you remember. The goal is retrieval, not recognition.

Practice Under Real Conditions
Simulate test conditions. Use a timer. Sit in a distraction-free room. Practice like it’s the real thing. It builds stamina and sharpens focus.

3. What to Do in the Test Room

Once you're in the test room, strategy becomes your best ally.

Read the Entire Test First
If possible, scan through the test to understand structure and pacing. Identify which questions are worth the most points and which ones seem easiest.

Time Management
Decide how much time to spend on each section. If you have 60 questions in 60 minutes, that’s one minute per question. Don’t burn 10 minutes on the first one.

Start With Easy Questions
If you can, answer what you know first to build confidence. Mark tough ones to return to later. This ensures you collect all the easy points before wrestling with the hard ones.

Read the Question Twice

Make sure to always read the question twice before trying to figure out the answer. You need to know what is being asked in order to respond with the right answer. 

Recall The Answer

Before looking at your choices, close your eyes and recall the answer. Keeping your eyes closed, explain why this is the answer. 

Make a Decision

Open your eyes and look at the choices in front of you. Choose the one that best supports the answer you had in your head and why you chose that as the correct answer. Trust your decision and move on. 

Breathe and Refocus
If panic sets in at any point, pause. Close your eyes and take one deep breath. Refocus by reminding yourself that you know the material and that anxiety is just a distraction. Even a 10-second reset can make a huge difference.

Process of Elimination

Something to keep in mind. If you get stuck on a multiple-choice question, eliminate the wrong answers first before choosing one. Crossing out anything that clearly doesn’t make sense and narrowing down your choices increases your odds.

Be Cautious of Absolutes

Radiography is a science rooted in clinical variability. Every patient is different. Every trauma situation is unique. Most decisions are made based on principles—not on rigid “always/never” rules.

That means when you see words like:

• “Always”

• “Never”

• “Completely”

• “All”

• “Must”

• “None”

• “Entirely”

…your internal red flag should go up.

ARRT test writers know how to craft distractors—answer options that look tempting but are flawed. Absolutes are one of their favorite tools.

Let’s look at how absolute language might appear in an ARRT-style question.

❌ BAD ANSWER CHOICE (Absolute Language):

Question:
Which of the following best describes patient shielding?

A. Lead shielding must always be used during every radiographic procedure.
B. Gonadal shielding should be applied whenever it does not interfere with the diagnostic region.
C. Shielding is never appropriate for pediatric patients due to increased movement.
D. Shielding completely eliminates all scatter exposure.

✅ Correct Answer: B

• A is wrong because “must always” ignores exceptions (like mammography or certain trauma cases).

• C is false. Pediatric patients can and should be shielded when appropriate—movement is managed via immobilization or communication.

• D is misleading—no shield “completely eliminates” scatter.

• B is nuanced and realistic, which is often the hallmark of a correct answer.

Another Example:

Question:
Which of the following statements about ALARA is correct?

A. ALARA completely eliminates all radiation risk.
B. ALARA should always be ignored in emergency settings.
C. ALARA is a guiding principle that minimizes exposure while achieving diagnostic results.
D. ALARA never applies to fluoroscopy.

✅ Correct Answer: C

Why?

• A, B, and D use absolute terms: “completely,” “always,” “never.”

• In real-world radiography, ALARA is not a hard rule, but a guiding philosophy.

• You balance dose with diagnostic need—not eliminate it.

When you encounter an answer that uses strong absolute wording, ask yourself:

1. Is this truly always the case in radiography?

2. Can I think of even one exception?

3. Does this sound like a classroom definition or a real clinical scenario?

Unless it’s a basic definition or law of physics (e.g., “The inverse square law states that intensity is inversely proportional to the square of distance”), then absolute language should make you hesitate.

The ARRT Registry is not just a test of facts—it’s a test of clinical judgment. That means nuance is rewarded and extremes are often penalized.

Remember:

• Test-wise students think like technologists, not just test-takers.

• Real patients don’t live in the world of “always” or “never.” Neither should your answer choices.

So, keep this in mind: The most absolute-sounding answer is usually absolutely wrong.

4. How to Do Your Best on Any Kind of Test

Bring the Right Supplies
Multiple pencils, erasers, calculator, water, ID—bring everything you might need. Being prepared reduces stress.

Ignore External Distractions
People fidget. Some finish early. Ignore them. Focus on your own paper and pace.

Follow Instructions Exactly
Read every question and direction carefully. Words like “except,” “not,” and “all of the above” are designed to trip you up if you're not paying attention.

Trust What You Studied
Resist the urge to second-guess. Your first instinct is often right—unless you find strong evidence to change it.

5. Multiple Choice Strategies

Multiple choice questions can be deceptively tricky, but they’re also predictable.

Read the Question First
Don’t jump to the answer options. Understand what the question is really asking.

Eliminate the Obvious Wrong Answers
Cross out anything that clearly doesn’t make sense. Narrowing down choices increases your odds.

Be Cautious of Absolutes
Words like "always," "never," or "completely" are often red flags.

Avoid Overthinking
Don’t overcomplicate simple questions. Go with your first correct answer unless new information clearly contradicts it.

5. Matching Question Strategies

Matching looks easy, but it's full of traps.

Match What You Know First
Start with the pairs you know for sure. That narrows your pool for the tougher items.

Cross Off Used Answers
If choices are used only once, mark them off to avoid reusing them by accident.

Look for Patterns
Are the terms in alphabetical or chronological order? Is there a theme? Use structure to your advantage.

6.  Math or Figure Series Test Strategies

These tests can cause panic—especially for students who doubt their math ability. But with structure, you can stay in control.

Write Down Every Step
Don’t do calculations in your head. Use scratch paper to avoid careless mistakes.

Look for Patterns
In figure or number series, ask: Is the change between items consistent? Alternating? Doubling?

Double-Check With Reverse Math
Work backward to verify your final answer.

Know Your Calculator
If one is allowed, practice with it in advance. You should know every function before test day.

Final Thoughts: Skill Over Stress

Tests are stressful. But they don’t have to define you. By mastering these strategies—before the test, in the room, and on the page—you take control of your performance.

Test-taking is a skill. It can be learned. It can be improved. And it can be mastered. Make sure to apply it throughout the 21 Day Challenge as you will be taking close to 70 exams. 

With the right system, you can be a top scorer. So the next time you walk into an exam, do it with a plan.

Because you're not guessing anymore. You are now, officially test-wise.