Study in small groups. Make sure study groups contains only students who are serious about studying. Brainstorm possible things you could be asked and answers you might give.
Make a one page summary sheet. It should include key ideas, procedures, equations, and vocabulary.
Do not pull an all-nighter. Your brain needs at least 6 hours to store the information it has received throughout the day.
Set a back up alarm the morning of your test.
Gather everything you need for the test the night before. (pens, pencils, erasers, paper, calculator batteries)
Strategies for Taking a Test
Read over the entire test before writing anything.
Choose a question or problem that seems easy to answer or solve first.
Keep working. Work on a problem until you get stuck. Think about it for a minute or two and if nothing comes to you then drop it and go on to another problem.
Show your work. Give enough detail so that both you and the grader can tell what you’re trying to do. Even if you can do the problem in your head, don’t.
Think partial credit. Try to put something down for each part of every problem/question. If you don’t have time to solve a problem completely, tell what you’d do if you had more time.
Write legibly. If an instructor can’t read what you wrote, you aren’t likely to get full credit and you may not get any.
Don't Panic. If you feel yourself sweating or hyperventilating, put down your pencil, close your eyes, take a few deep breaths, and consciously relax any muscles that you’re clenching (jaw, neck, stomach). When you’re calmer, go back to work.
Check your work. After you have completed the test, go back over it and check for any questions you might have skipped. Do not change your answers unless you are 100% positive the answer is wrong.
Tips for Relieving Test Anxiety
Get enough sleep.
Eat a good meal prior to the test.
Study well in advance of the test. Feeling prepared will help reduce test anxiety.
Develop a positive attitude through self-talk. I am prepared! I will do well!
If you feel anxious when you receive your test, turn it over and take 5-10 deep breaths until you feel calm again.
Exercise prior to the test to reduce tension and stimulate thinking.
Take a shower before the test to relax.
Allow enough time to arrive for the test without hurrying.
Do not panic if other students finish before you. Their test may be blank.
Do not listen to or participate in last minute reviews goings on around you. This can give you a sense of being unprepared.
Make sure you can see a clock, plan your time, pace yourself.
If time is short, fill in the answers you know and let the remaining questions go.
TRUE/FALSE Test Taking Strategies and Tips
Assume the statement is “true” until proven how it is identified as “false”.
Watch for 100% words that usually make the statement “false”. (Ex: Always, never, none, every)
In between words usually make the statement “true”. (Ex: usually, sometimes, often, some)
A statement must be completely true to be marked true.
Negatives (no, not, except) may not mean the statement is false.
Multiple Choice Test Taking Strategies and Tips
Read the directions fully and carefully. There may be more than 1 correct answer, and the professor wants the best answer.
Read the stem first. Finish reading the entire question before looking at the answers and choosing the best option.
Not sure of the answer? Look for answers in other questions. Answers will often pop up there.
Essay Test Taking Strategies and Tips
Plan before you write you answer and jot down ideas that occur to be useful as you write.
Write a strong thesis statement clearly stating you basic answer and ideas for the essay question.
Limit each paragraph to one main idea and be sure to use terminology from the course.
Write something for each question you have to answer. If time is running out make bullet points because some points are better than no points.