Command chief preps enlisted leaders for testing

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Lori Wise
  • Public Affairs
Vance Air Force Base, Okla. --  Vance enlisted members were given the secret to testing success during a seminar Jan. 25.
The secret is applying lessons learned and learning styles to study that can vault test scores sky high, said Chief Master Sgt. Jim Suttles, 71st Flying Training Wing command chief, who briefed the meeting.
"How would you like to earn an additional $583,000 from your military career?" asked the chief. "That's the difference smart studying can make in promotion tests and retirement pay."
The difference between a chief master sergeant's retirement pay with 26 years time in service until age 72, and the retirement pay of a master sergeant with 24 years time in service until age 72 is $583,000, according to Chief Suttles.
"I struggled getting to technical sergeant - it took me five attempts to score high enough to get promoted because I didn't study smartly," said the chief. "I don't want these young leaders to waste their time and spin their wheels. I want them to benefit from my lessons learned."
Through trial and error, Chief Suttles said he learned effective study techniques, which can be used for Weighted Airman Promotion testing, career development courses and college course preparatory tests.
"Do everything possible to get the study advantage and apply these techniques," he said. "The first thing you must know is your learning style. This is how you process new information."
The chief then administered a self-assessment that identified learning styles. He used this to explain how information is processed and offered strategies to study effectively.
People are either visual, auditory or tactile learners or a combination of them, he said.
Visual learner
Vivid imagination; avid reader; strong sense of color; remembers faces; trouble following lectures; draws a mental picture; watches body language and facial expression; uses diagrams, illustrations and videos; takes detailed notes; quickly forgets things heard; forgets names
Study strategy: First, read every word in the CDC and promotion fitness examination book. Second, reread every word and then highlight material that isn't understood. Third, reread the highlighted material and underline the information that is still difficult to understand. Focus efforts on the highlighted and unlined areas.
Auditory learner
Listens; uses verbal discussion; interprets meaning through voice, pitch and speed; reads aloud and uses tape recording; remembers what is heard; has difficulty with written directions; reads and writes; remembers names; talks while writing; good speaker; distracted by noise; hand-writing is hard to read; forgets faces
Study strategy: Tape record while reading the CDC and PFE aloud. Then re-record the tapes at a faster rate of speed using a variable speed recorder.
Tactile learner
Puts things together without instructions; can't sit still; coordinated with athletic ability; very physical; learns by touching and doing; takes things apart; remembers little of what was seen or heard; poor speller
Study strategy: Pick up the books and hold them while reading the material aloud
For all learners, the chief recommended combining learning strategies to increase study effectiveness.
The study seminar also gave Chief Suttles the opportunity to teach his lessons learned, including:
n Take leave to study and assume a "night shift" schedule. Study at night, including the night before the test.
n Save all 5- and 7-level CDCs and PFE manuals
n Double-check study references, read all charts and footnotes, highlight material
n Start with the enjoyable chapters first
n Eat before testing and show up one hour early
n Once the test begins, use a scratch piece of paper to write down notes
n Don't change test answers; test-takers stand a 70-percent chance of changing it from right to wrong
n Take all the test time allowed, use extra time to check answers, but most importantly, attempt to memorize the test questions
n After leaving the testing room, find a quiet place to highlight study materials and write down as many test questions as possibly remembered. Test-takers don't want to miss the same question next year.
n Finally, do not share study materials with anyone
The seminar's participants agreed the wisdom presented was enlightening.
"I'm eager to try the chief's recommendations," said Tech. Sgt. Dave McClelland, NCO in charge of enlisted professional development. "I now know what type of environment I need to place myself in for optimal retention of the study material. I need to turn off the TV and music to focus effectively. Anything that interferes with the visual aid will distract from the learning process."
"Chief Suttles shared some things that could help me with studying, such as adjusting my schedule by taking a few weeks of leave and studying during the night," said Tech. Sgt. Nancy Guarraggi, 71st Medical Group medical services flight NCO in charge. "I mostly enjoyed the exercises that helped you determine what kind of learner you are. I thought I was only a visual learner, but I realized I am a tactile learner too."