Proofreading your paper and your exams while in the testing center will DEFINITELY improve your score. I have had several students go from 70% to 100% on the written portion by simply proofreading their paragraph. Here are some tips for doing so:
1. Read the grading rubric beforehand. These are generally the only things we ever take points off for, so make sure you know exactly what those things are. Check course information on blackboard for a copy of the rubric.
2. Proofread your paragraph once for spelling and grammar. You don't want to lose points on the really simple things. (i.e. "protien" is always a common mistake. Protein is correct).
3. Read your paragraph as though you were the TA grading it. Does the student show the TA that they understand how the terms work together? Does the paragraph actually make sense?
4. Double check to make sure you have used every vocab term.
5. Write up a couple of these you feel least comfortable with and go see your TA to make sure you're on the right track!
