WGU D389 Learning Strategies in Higher
Education 2026/2027 | ACTUAL-Style
Practice Questions & Answers, Academic
Success Exam Prep, Effective Study Methods,
Critical Thinking, Goal Setting, Time
Management, and Detailed Rationales
Question 1: What is the primary focus of the WGU D389 Learning
Strategies in Higher Education course?
A. Advanced calculus and statistical analysis techniques
B. Strategies for college success including growth mindset, metacognition,
time management, and study strategies
C. Clinical medical procedures and patient diagnosis
D. Software engineering and programming languages
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Strategies for college success including growth
mindset, metacognition, time management, and study strategies
Rationale: The course focuses on foundational academic success
strategies including growth mindset versus fixed mindset, metacognition,
self-regulated learning, time management, study strategies, note-taking
methods, test-taking strategies, information literacy, academic integrity,
career planning, and well-being.
Question 2: According to Carol Dweck's research, what distinguishes a
growth mindset from a fixed mindset?
A. Growth mindset believes abilities can be developed through dedication
and effort, while fixed mindset believes abilities are static
B. Growth mindset focuses on outperforming others, while fixed mindset
focuses on personal improvement
C. Growth mindset avoids challenges, while fixed mindset embraces them
D. Growth mindset ignores feedback, while fixed mindset actively seeks it
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Growth mindset believes abilities can be
developed through dedication and effort, while fixed mindset believes
abilities are static
Rationale: A growth mindset is the belief that abilities can be developed
through dedication and hard work, embracing challenges and persisting
through obstacles. A fixed mindset is the belief that abilities are static and
innate, leading to avoidance of challenges and giving up easily.
,Question 3: What is metacognition most accurately defined as?
A. The ability to memorize large amounts of data quickly
B. The physiological process of neuron firing in the brain
C. The speed at which a student completes a standardized test
D. Thinking about one's own thinking and learning processes
CORRECT ANSWER: D. Thinking about one's own thinking and learning
processes
Rationale: Metacognition involves being aware of and regulating one's own
cognitive processes to improve learning outcomes. It includes
metacognitive knowledge (declarative, procedural, conditional) and
metacognitive regulation (planning, monitoring, evaluating).
Question 4: Which phase of Zimmerman's Self-Regulated Learning
model involves task analysis and goal setting?
A. Self-Reflection Phase
B. Performance Phase
C. Forethought Phase
D. Evaluation Phase
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Forethought Phase
Rationale: The Forethought phase occurs before the learning effort and
includes task analysis (goal setting and strategic planning) and self-
motivation beliefs. The Performance phase involves self-control and self-
observation, while the Self-Reflection phase involves self-judgment and
self-reaction.
Question 5: What does the acronym SMART stand for in goal setting?
A. Simple, Meaningful, Achievable, Relevant, Timely
B. Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound
C. Strategic, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Trackable
D. Specific, Manageable, Actionable, Relevant, Tangible
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant,
Time-bound
Rationale: SMART goals must be Specific (clear statement of what to
achieve), Measurable (means of measuring achievement), Achievable
(challenging but can be accomplished), Relevant (relates directly to plans
,and is realistic), and Time-bound (includes when the goal should be
accomplished).
Question 6: In the Information Processing Model, which memory
system has a very limited capacity and duration of approximately 15-30
seconds?
A. Long-term Memory
B. Sensory Memory
C. Procedural Memory
D. Working Memory
CORRECT ANSWER: D. Working Memory
Rationale: Working memory (or short-term memory) is where active
processing occurs, but it is limited in capacity and duration unless
information is rehearsed. Sensory memory holds information very briefly,
and long-term memory has essentially unlimited capacity and duration.
Question 7: Which study strategy involves reviewing material at
increasing intervals to combat the forgetting curve?
A. Massed practice
B. Spaced repetition
C. Rote memorization
D. Passive rereading
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Spaced repetition
Rationale: Spaced repetition (also called distributed practice) involves
spreading study sessions over time rather than massing them together.
Research consistently shows that shorter, regular study sessions lead to
better long-term retention than cramming, allowing for memory
consolidation.
Question 8: What is the primary benefit of elaborative rehearsal over
maintenance rehearsal?
A. It requires less cognitive effort
B. It involves making meaningful connections between new material and
existing knowledge
C. It works only for memorizing isolated facts
D. It is faster than maintenance rehearsal
, CORRECT ANSWER: B. It involves making meaningful connections
between new material and existing knowledge
Rationale: Elaborative rehearsal involves making meaningful connections
between new material and what is already known, facilitating better
encoding into long-term memory. Maintenance rehearsal involves simple
repetition and is less effective for deep learning.
Question 9: Which note-taking method divides the page into a cues
column on the left, a notes column on the right, and a summary section
at the bottom?
A. Outlining Method
B. Charting Method
C. Cornell Method
D. Mind Mapping
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Cornell Method
Rationale: The Cornell Method uses a 2.5-inch column on the left for cues
or key words, a 6-inch column on the right for notes, and a summary
section at the bottom. This organized format helps identify major concepts
and facilitates review.
Question 10: Which note-taking method is particularly effective for
showing relationships between concepts through visual
representations?
A. Linear verbatim notes
B. Mind mapping
C. Audio recording lectures
D. Transcript-style notes
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Mind mapping
Rationale: Mind mapping creates visual representations of information with
a central concept and branching related ideas. This method is especially
useful for showing relationships, hierarchies, and connections between
concepts, engaging both verbal and visual processing.
Question 11: What is the SQ3R method used for in academic reading?
A. A method for calculating reading speed
B. An active reading strategy involving Survey, Question, Read, Recite,
Education 2026/2027 | ACTUAL-Style
Practice Questions & Answers, Academic
Success Exam Prep, Effective Study Methods,
Critical Thinking, Goal Setting, Time
Management, and Detailed Rationales
Question 1: What is the primary focus of the WGU D389 Learning
Strategies in Higher Education course?
A. Advanced calculus and statistical analysis techniques
B. Strategies for college success including growth mindset, metacognition,
time management, and study strategies
C. Clinical medical procedures and patient diagnosis
D. Software engineering and programming languages
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Strategies for college success including growth
mindset, metacognition, time management, and study strategies
Rationale: The course focuses on foundational academic success
strategies including growth mindset versus fixed mindset, metacognition,
self-regulated learning, time management, study strategies, note-taking
methods, test-taking strategies, information literacy, academic integrity,
career planning, and well-being.
Question 2: According to Carol Dweck's research, what distinguishes a
growth mindset from a fixed mindset?
A. Growth mindset believes abilities can be developed through dedication
and effort, while fixed mindset believes abilities are static
B. Growth mindset focuses on outperforming others, while fixed mindset
focuses on personal improvement
C. Growth mindset avoids challenges, while fixed mindset embraces them
D. Growth mindset ignores feedback, while fixed mindset actively seeks it
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Growth mindset believes abilities can be
developed through dedication and effort, while fixed mindset believes
abilities are static
Rationale: A growth mindset is the belief that abilities can be developed
through dedication and hard work, embracing challenges and persisting
through obstacles. A fixed mindset is the belief that abilities are static and
innate, leading to avoidance of challenges and giving up easily.
,Question 3: What is metacognition most accurately defined as?
A. The ability to memorize large amounts of data quickly
B. The physiological process of neuron firing in the brain
C. The speed at which a student completes a standardized test
D. Thinking about one's own thinking and learning processes
CORRECT ANSWER: D. Thinking about one's own thinking and learning
processes
Rationale: Metacognition involves being aware of and regulating one's own
cognitive processes to improve learning outcomes. It includes
metacognitive knowledge (declarative, procedural, conditional) and
metacognitive regulation (planning, monitoring, evaluating).
Question 4: Which phase of Zimmerman's Self-Regulated Learning
model involves task analysis and goal setting?
A. Self-Reflection Phase
B. Performance Phase
C. Forethought Phase
D. Evaluation Phase
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Forethought Phase
Rationale: The Forethought phase occurs before the learning effort and
includes task analysis (goal setting and strategic planning) and self-
motivation beliefs. The Performance phase involves self-control and self-
observation, while the Self-Reflection phase involves self-judgment and
self-reaction.
Question 5: What does the acronym SMART stand for in goal setting?
A. Simple, Meaningful, Achievable, Relevant, Timely
B. Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound
C. Strategic, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Trackable
D. Specific, Manageable, Actionable, Relevant, Tangible
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant,
Time-bound
Rationale: SMART goals must be Specific (clear statement of what to
achieve), Measurable (means of measuring achievement), Achievable
(challenging but can be accomplished), Relevant (relates directly to plans
,and is realistic), and Time-bound (includes when the goal should be
accomplished).
Question 6: In the Information Processing Model, which memory
system has a very limited capacity and duration of approximately 15-30
seconds?
A. Long-term Memory
B. Sensory Memory
C. Procedural Memory
D. Working Memory
CORRECT ANSWER: D. Working Memory
Rationale: Working memory (or short-term memory) is where active
processing occurs, but it is limited in capacity and duration unless
information is rehearsed. Sensory memory holds information very briefly,
and long-term memory has essentially unlimited capacity and duration.
Question 7: Which study strategy involves reviewing material at
increasing intervals to combat the forgetting curve?
A. Massed practice
B. Spaced repetition
C. Rote memorization
D. Passive rereading
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Spaced repetition
Rationale: Spaced repetition (also called distributed practice) involves
spreading study sessions over time rather than massing them together.
Research consistently shows that shorter, regular study sessions lead to
better long-term retention than cramming, allowing for memory
consolidation.
Question 8: What is the primary benefit of elaborative rehearsal over
maintenance rehearsal?
A. It requires less cognitive effort
B. It involves making meaningful connections between new material and
existing knowledge
C. It works only for memorizing isolated facts
D. It is faster than maintenance rehearsal
, CORRECT ANSWER: B. It involves making meaningful connections
between new material and existing knowledge
Rationale: Elaborative rehearsal involves making meaningful connections
between new material and what is already known, facilitating better
encoding into long-term memory. Maintenance rehearsal involves simple
repetition and is less effective for deep learning.
Question 9: Which note-taking method divides the page into a cues
column on the left, a notes column on the right, and a summary section
at the bottom?
A. Outlining Method
B. Charting Method
C. Cornell Method
D. Mind Mapping
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Cornell Method
Rationale: The Cornell Method uses a 2.5-inch column on the left for cues
or key words, a 6-inch column on the right for notes, and a summary
section at the bottom. This organized format helps identify major concepts
and facilitates review.
Question 10: Which note-taking method is particularly effective for
showing relationships between concepts through visual
representations?
A. Linear verbatim notes
B. Mind mapping
C. Audio recording lectures
D. Transcript-style notes
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Mind mapping
Rationale: Mind mapping creates visual representations of information with
a central concept and branching related ideas. This method is especially
useful for showing relationships, hierarchies, and connections between
concepts, engaging both verbal and visual processing.
Question 11: What is the SQ3R method used for in academic reading?
A. A method for calculating reading speed
B. An active reading strategy involving Survey, Question, Read, Recite,
