WGU D389 Learning Strategies in Higher Education 2026/2027 |
ACTUAL-Style Practice Questions & Answers, Study Skills Assessment
Prep, Critical Thinking, Time Management, Academic Success, Learning
Techniques, and Detailed Rationales
Question 1: According to Dweck, what is the defining characteristic of a
growth mindset in the context of higher education?
A. Believing that intelligence is a fixed trait determined at birth.
B. Believing that abilities can be developed through dedication and hard
work.
C. Avoiding challenges to protect one's self-image of being smart.
D. Feeling threatened by the success of peers.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Believing that abilities can be developed
through dedication and hard work.
Rationale: A growth mindset, as defined by Carol Dweck, is the belief that
one's abilities and intelligence can be cultivated through effort, good
strategies, and input from others. This contrasts with a fixed mindset,
where individuals believe their traits are static and unchangeable.
Question 2: In Zimmerman's Self-Regulated Learning (SRL) model,
which phase involves processes like task analysis and goal setting?
A. Performance Phase
B. Self-Reflection Phase
C. Forethought Phase
D. Evaluation Phase
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Forethought Phase
Rationale: The Forethought Phase precedes the actual learning effort. It
encompasses task analysis, which includes goal setting and strategic
planning, as well as self-motivation beliefs like self-efficacy and outcome
expectations.
Question 3: What is the primary function of metacognition in the
learning process?
A. To memorize factual information quickly.
B. To think about and regulate one's own thinking and learning processes.
C. To enhance learning through the use of digital technology.
D. To collaborate effectively with peers on group assignments.
,CORRECT ANSWER: B. To think about and regulate one's own thinking
and learning processes.
Rationale: Metacognition is often defined as "thinking about thinking." It
involves the awareness and understanding of one's own cognitive
processes, allowing a learner to monitor comprehension, evaluate
progress, and adjust strategies as needed for effective learning.
Question 4: A student who schedules specific times to study and
strictly adheres to that schedule is demonstrating proficiency in which
area?
A. Elaborative rehearsal
B. Time management
C. Information literacy
D. Critical thinking
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Time management
Rationale: Time management involves the deliberate planning and control
of the time spent on specific activities, especially to increase effectiveness
and efficiency. Creating and following a study schedule is a core practice of
effective time management.
Question 5: Which study strategy is most effective for promoting long-
term retention of information according to cognitive science?
A. Massed practice (cramming) the night before an exam.
B. Re-reading the textbook chapter multiple times in one sitting.
C. Spaced repetition, where study sessions are spread out over time.
D. Highlighting large sections of text for later review.
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Spaced repetition, where study sessions are
spread out over time.
Rationale: Spaced repetition (or distributed practice) is a learning
technique where review sessions are spaced out over increasing intervals.
Research consistently demonstrates it is superior to massed practice
(cramming) for long-term memory consolidation and retrieval.
Question 6: Which note-taking method divides the page into three
sections: a narrow left column for cues, a wide right column for notes,
and a section at the bottom for a summary?
,A. Mind Mapping
B. Outlining Method
C. Cornell Method
D. Charting Method
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Cornell Method
Rationale: The Cornell Note-Taking System is a systematic format for
condensing and organizing notes. It uses a specific page layout with a cue
column, a note-taking column, and a summary section at the bottom to
facilitate active review and reflection.
Question 7: What is the primary purpose of using the SQ3R method for
reading academic texts?
A. To increase reading speed for completing assignments faster.
B. To enhance comprehension and retention of the material.
C. To identify only the information that will be on a test.
D. To avoid the need for taking notes during reading.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. To enhance comprehension and retention of the
material.
Rationale: SQ3R (Survey, Question, Read, Recite, Review) is an active
reading strategy designed to improve understanding and recall. It engages
the reader in a structured process that promotes deeper processing of the
text compared to passive reading.
Question 8: According to the CRAAP test for evaluating information
sources, what does the first "A" stand for?
A. Accuracy
B. Authority
C. Audience
D. Agenda
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Authority
Rationale: The CRAAP test is a set of criteria for evaluating sources:
Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, and Purpose. "Authority" refers
to the source of the information, specifically the author's credentials and
expertise.
, Question 9: Which of the following is an example of academic
dishonesty?
A. Studying collaboratively with classmates for an exam.
B. Using the Writing Center to get feedback on a paper.
C. Submitting a paper purchased from an online essay mill.
D. Citing a source using APA format.
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Submitting a paper purchased from an online
essay mill.
Rationale: Submitting work that is not one's own, including purchasing
essays or papers online, constitutes plagiarism and a severe violation of
academic integrity policies. The other options represent acceptable
academic practices.
Question 10: What is the primary function of the WGU Library for
students?
A. To provide a quiet space for individual study.
B. To offer access to scholarly databases, journals, and research
resources.
C. To serve as a platform for social networking between students.
D. To host in-person lectures and seminars.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. To offer access to scholarly databases, journals,
and research resources.
Rationale: The WGU Library is a digital resource that provides students with
access to a wide range of academic databases, peer-reviewed journals, e-
books, and other scholarly materials essential for research and
coursework.
Question 11: A student who blames a poor exam grade on the
instructor's confusing questions is demonstrating an:
A. Internal locus of control
B. External locus of control
C. Growth mindset
D. High self-efficacy
CORRECT ANSWER: B. External locus of control
ACTUAL-Style Practice Questions & Answers, Study Skills Assessment
Prep, Critical Thinking, Time Management, Academic Success, Learning
Techniques, and Detailed Rationales
Question 1: According to Dweck, what is the defining characteristic of a
growth mindset in the context of higher education?
A. Believing that intelligence is a fixed trait determined at birth.
B. Believing that abilities can be developed through dedication and hard
work.
C. Avoiding challenges to protect one's self-image of being smart.
D. Feeling threatened by the success of peers.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Believing that abilities can be developed
through dedication and hard work.
Rationale: A growth mindset, as defined by Carol Dweck, is the belief that
one's abilities and intelligence can be cultivated through effort, good
strategies, and input from others. This contrasts with a fixed mindset,
where individuals believe their traits are static and unchangeable.
Question 2: In Zimmerman's Self-Regulated Learning (SRL) model,
which phase involves processes like task analysis and goal setting?
A. Performance Phase
B. Self-Reflection Phase
C. Forethought Phase
D. Evaluation Phase
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Forethought Phase
Rationale: The Forethought Phase precedes the actual learning effort. It
encompasses task analysis, which includes goal setting and strategic
planning, as well as self-motivation beliefs like self-efficacy and outcome
expectations.
Question 3: What is the primary function of metacognition in the
learning process?
A. To memorize factual information quickly.
B. To think about and regulate one's own thinking and learning processes.
C. To enhance learning through the use of digital technology.
D. To collaborate effectively with peers on group assignments.
,CORRECT ANSWER: B. To think about and regulate one's own thinking
and learning processes.
Rationale: Metacognition is often defined as "thinking about thinking." It
involves the awareness and understanding of one's own cognitive
processes, allowing a learner to monitor comprehension, evaluate
progress, and adjust strategies as needed for effective learning.
Question 4: A student who schedules specific times to study and
strictly adheres to that schedule is demonstrating proficiency in which
area?
A. Elaborative rehearsal
B. Time management
C. Information literacy
D. Critical thinking
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Time management
Rationale: Time management involves the deliberate planning and control
of the time spent on specific activities, especially to increase effectiveness
and efficiency. Creating and following a study schedule is a core practice of
effective time management.
Question 5: Which study strategy is most effective for promoting long-
term retention of information according to cognitive science?
A. Massed practice (cramming) the night before an exam.
B. Re-reading the textbook chapter multiple times in one sitting.
C. Spaced repetition, where study sessions are spread out over time.
D. Highlighting large sections of text for later review.
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Spaced repetition, where study sessions are
spread out over time.
Rationale: Spaced repetition (or distributed practice) is a learning
technique where review sessions are spaced out over increasing intervals.
Research consistently demonstrates it is superior to massed practice
(cramming) for long-term memory consolidation and retrieval.
Question 6: Which note-taking method divides the page into three
sections: a narrow left column for cues, a wide right column for notes,
and a section at the bottom for a summary?
,A. Mind Mapping
B. Outlining Method
C. Cornell Method
D. Charting Method
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Cornell Method
Rationale: The Cornell Note-Taking System is a systematic format for
condensing and organizing notes. It uses a specific page layout with a cue
column, a note-taking column, and a summary section at the bottom to
facilitate active review and reflection.
Question 7: What is the primary purpose of using the SQ3R method for
reading academic texts?
A. To increase reading speed for completing assignments faster.
B. To enhance comprehension and retention of the material.
C. To identify only the information that will be on a test.
D. To avoid the need for taking notes during reading.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. To enhance comprehension and retention of the
material.
Rationale: SQ3R (Survey, Question, Read, Recite, Review) is an active
reading strategy designed to improve understanding and recall. It engages
the reader in a structured process that promotes deeper processing of the
text compared to passive reading.
Question 8: According to the CRAAP test for evaluating information
sources, what does the first "A" stand for?
A. Accuracy
B. Authority
C. Audience
D. Agenda
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Authority
Rationale: The CRAAP test is a set of criteria for evaluating sources:
Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, and Purpose. "Authority" refers
to the source of the information, specifically the author's credentials and
expertise.
, Question 9: Which of the following is an example of academic
dishonesty?
A. Studying collaboratively with classmates for an exam.
B. Using the Writing Center to get feedback on a paper.
C. Submitting a paper purchased from an online essay mill.
D. Citing a source using APA format.
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Submitting a paper purchased from an online
essay mill.
Rationale: Submitting work that is not one's own, including purchasing
essays or papers online, constitutes plagiarism and a severe violation of
academic integrity policies. The other options represent acceptable
academic practices.
Question 10: What is the primary function of the WGU Library for
students?
A. To provide a quiet space for individual study.
B. To offer access to scholarly databases, journals, and research
resources.
C. To serve as a platform for social networking between students.
D. To host in-person lectures and seminars.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. To offer access to scholarly databases, journals,
and research resources.
Rationale: The WGU Library is a digital resource that provides students with
access to a wide range of academic databases, peer-reviewed journals, e-
books, and other scholarly materials essential for research and
coursework.
Question 11: A student who blames a poor exam grade on the
instructor's confusing questions is demonstrating an:
A. Internal locus of control
B. External locus of control
C. Growth mindset
D. High self-efficacy
CORRECT ANSWER: B. External locus of control
