College Exam Blunders and Bluffs to Avoid

August 25th, 2010

Your first college test may be happening soon, even this week. You may feel as if you didn’t get enough time to study, or you’re worried that the exam will be so completely different than anything you’ve taken. But if you’re acting chill leading up to text day because you think you learned in high school how to bluff your way to an A, think again.

Professors, especially those with tenure who have years of experience, can quickly spot a blunder or bluff.Check out the examples of these real test answers, which we were given permission to use from “College in a Nutskull” (2010, Workman Publishing) by Andres Henrikkson, chairman of the history department at West Virginia’s Shepherd University.

Literature

• Henry V is about a king named Richard III.

• The first major work by an American author is The Holy Bible.

American History

• President Lincoln was shot in his Ford

• The G.I. Bill required all veterans to take medical examinations.

Psychology

• Telepathy is a condition linked by scientists to excess cell phone use.

• Some people do not cope well. This copulation problem can lead to heroin or alcohol abuse. Alcoholism may involve drinking.

Music

• Mozart had to compose his Requiem posthumously.

Political Science

• Socialism is like when you go out with your friends

Geography

• Longitude is like latitude, only longer.

• The United Kingdom is located somewhere out there. It is made up of England, Scotland, and Northern Israel.

Whether you’re new to college or just starting your last year in high school, think about how you’re preparing for your exam. If you try to wing it, your lame guesses could end up in a book for others to read and have a laugh.

–Lori Johnston

Entry Filed under: Advice,Just for Fun,Test Prep