Study Tips for Test Preparation

Coaches would never think of dropping pre-season practice sessions or have light workouts during the week only to practice well into the night the day before the game.  They know that it’s better to prepare ahead of time and put on the finishing touches the day before the game.  Think of your class as an academic sport in which you want to excel and receive a scholarship.

Be prepared.  Keep up with all assignments.  If you have to miss a class, schedule make-up work and get class notes from a dependable student.  You know your study plan is successful when students start coming to you with questions about notes and other class assignments.

Working With Notes:

Keep Meticulous Notes - Your notes are the link between the textbook material you have read and the teacher’s interpretation of that material as well as supplemental information.  Make sure they are complete.  If necessary, compare notes with other students on a regular basis to fill in the gaps.

A Log Book of Notes: Your notebook is a log book of your class.  Each session should be dated and start with the concept/theme that applies to the session.  Add page # references and mark special concepts that the teacher emphasizes.

Manage Your Notes: Take the time before a test to reorganzie the information in your notes.  Make a list of all the important terms and make comments about each one in your own words.  Then, make another list of the important concepts covered.  Again, make comments about them in your own words.  Keep any extra study sheets that you make in your notebook for semester exams.

Anticipate Questions: On separate paper, make a list of possible Short Answer questions (with answers), then make a second list of Discussion/Essay questions and answer them.  If the test involves problems, make a list of problems from each category.  Write down the step-by-step solutions in an organized manner, including all units and symbols.

Extra Study Help:  There will be many times when you just don’t know the answer or you can’t figure something out.  Ask your teacher. Make an appointment for after class time, if necessary.  Study groups are an option but not always successful.  Make sure that everyone in the group is really there to study and that you are getting something out of it besides social time.  Tutors are always a good idea.  There is no better education than one-on-one instruction.  If you can’t find a tutor in your area check one of the online sources like EAS, listed below and in the links to the right.  If you choose a tutor as an option, do not wait until the last minute because they do not usually perform miracles of education.

Remember, the better prepared you are for the small tests, the easier it will be to prepare for the larger ones.