Test Taking Strategy: “Words mean what they say.”

“Words mean what they say.”  This one always makes me laugh.  One thing is for sure, those who have shared the classroom with me have heard me say this often.

Are you a recovering analytical?  If you are pondering whether you are or not, then most likely you are.  Why do I ask?

Well, because in the analytical test takers mind there is often this preconceived notion that there is a trick somewhere and that the question is really asking something else.  Or better yet, the “analytical test taker’ attaches meaning to the words in the questions, which results in a distortion or misunderstanding of the question.  Tests can be tricky.  However, the strategy that will empower you, the test taker, is to remember “words mean what they say.”  Take the question for face value.  Find the key words in the question to quickly deduce what the question is asking and find the answer that best corresponds with the key words in the question.  Pay attention to the words because very often the answer is in the question.

We are not saying to take everything literally.  We are saying, take the words for what the words mean without adding opinion or editorial.  The exam is not about what the test taker thinks it means, it is about knowing the definitions or the language of the subject matter in the context of the test.  When the test taker has a mastery of the language, it makes it easy to deduce the answer and make an educated guess.

Concepts are constant.  When preparing for an exam, through the use of questions and answers, the pit fall is memorizing the information without understanding the concepts.  If the test taker prepares by studying questions and answers, while understanding the words they are reading, they will still be able to make an educated guess and pass the exam if the question changes.

Life Strategy

You might be wondering how does “Words mean what they say!” work as a life strategy.  I believe this strategy can work two ways in communication:  a way of listening and speaking.  Often life drama shows up when one adds meaning to words they hear in dialogue, debated discussion, and/or heated conversations.  It is important to take words for what they mean without adding your own interpretation or opinion.  When listening, take nothing personally.

Remember the strategies discussed in this blog are a way of thinking to empower you to move forward and achieve success in life and business.   A quote I hear often, “Mean what you say and say what you mean.”  This is another way to apply “words mean what they say.”  When sharing your ideas and thoughts, use words that reflect what you mean to say.  Lazy thinking results in using words that may have double meaning or that do not necessarily reflect the message you want to deliver.  Be mindful and not analytical in communication.

I recall an argument I had with a friend. I kept replaying what was said.  Every time I thought about it, I felt worse.  Of course my friend would not want me to feel upset or disappointed.  However, I was not getting what I wanted.  I had an expectation of how the conversation should go.  I did not like hearing what he said.  When it did not go my way, I shut down.  Then, for weeks I kept replaying the conversation and made what he said mean something that it did not.  That can be damaging to a friendship and make one lose self confidence.  I was reminded to stop replaying the dialogue.  I realized every time I replayed the conversation in my mind, I made every phrase and word he said mean something negative.  When in actuality, he was communicating his position.  In retrospect, there was no malice in what he said.

As a way of thinking, I usually listen beyond the words and take things for face value.  I now understand that dis-empowering thinking and attaching meaning creates unnecessary drama.  I always do my best to keep in mind that words mean what they say.