Mastering Output
A Few Words About Output
Output skills are the skills most students think of when they consider their study skills.  To master output skills, students must acquire not only the knowledge and information being evaluated, but also they must learn to express this knowledge under pressure and complete the task at hand.  
Output Functions
Often, output skills can be improved and this improvement is directly reflected in better grades.  Output skills include:
  • test taking
  • dealing with test anxiety
  • learning from tests
  • preparing written and oral reports
  • participating in class
Test taking

The major output measure in school is usually the test or examination.  Follow this 4-step Test Taking Strategy with every test or exam:  (1) Begin to look over the test as soon as it comes to your desk.  If you cannot begin until everyone receives a test, count the number of pages.  (2) When you begin, preview the test noting how many of each type of questions are included and how much each section is worth.  (3) Then read the instructions carefully.  (4) Figure out how much each question is worth and make a schedule for yourself, leaving time to recheck your answers.  For more test taking tips and strategies, follow the links below:
Dealing with test anxiety

Anxiety is the body's method of dealing with situations that may cause personal harm.  It is a defense mechanism that elicits both a physical response and a mental or emotional change.  When people become anxious, their adrenaline flows, a large supply of oxygen travels to their arms and legs, and they experience what is known as a fight or flight response: they are physically and emotionally prepared to either fight or run from danger.  A high level of anxiety allows us to perform unbelievable physical feats, but decreases our mental functioning considerably.  During an attack of anxiety, oxygen that normally travels to the brain is transmitted to the limbs.  Without its usual supply of oxygen, the brain loses a degree of its functioning capability.  To avoid anxiety, you should understand:
Learning from tests

Each  test should be a learning experience.  Understanding the mistakes you've made gives you valuable insights for future tests, and helps give you a feeling of control; this control will help significantly in managing anxiety.  Use these methods for analyzing the results of tests to help you become a better test taker:
Preparing Written  Reports
The most important thing to remember when preparing written reports is that time is your best friend.  Try to begin as early as possible.  The minute your teacher assigns the task, start thinking about what you want to write.  The following tips can help you organize your writing, develop a paper over time, and avoid common pitfalls:
Preparing Oral Reports
Oral presentations involve performance, and performance demands preparation, practice, and acting out the appropriate skills.  To give a good oral report, you need to start early, prepare thoroughly, practice the performance, and acquire the necessary skills for speaking in front of a group.
Class Participation

Some measure of class participation is factored into grades by almost all instructors, either consciously or unconsciously.  It is difficult for a teacher to ignore how a student participated in class when he or she begins to determine the student's grade.  Class participation as output is much more than being involved in class discussion; it also includes: