Study Skills - How to prepare for Tests

Important!!!   Your self-worth as a human being has no relationship with test performance!

Why take exams?

Tests can help you absorb information , solidify your knowledge and integrate your knowledge.  The ability to think critically under pressure is a great skill to develop and on that transfers easily into the world of work!  Exams are a method of ascertaining how well you learned the material.

TIPS ON PREPARING FOR TESTS!   

1.    Keep up with reading assignments throughout the course so there will be no need to cram!

2.    Review the materials a little at a time, including information from early in the semester, so nothing will be a surprise.

3.    Ask questions of classmates and the professor - you need to really understand before you will remember.

4.    When reviewing, try to predict what the test will cover, and review those areas more, without forgetting everything else.

5.    Review old handouts, notes, quizzes, exams, and papers for clues and information you may have forgotten.

6.    Learn and study your instructor's "test techniques:" the types of questions they favor, if they prefer long, detailed answers, or short, concise answers, if they like important dates, etc.

7.    Use questions from your texts to help study.

8.    Study alone - then study with other students.

9.    Give yourself a good night's sleep and well-balanced diet so you will not be tired or hungry during the test.

10.  Don't wait until the last minute to study!