Test Preparation
General Study Strategies
- Break exam into small tests
- Read the chapters
- Rewrite notes
- Write mock tests
Set specific Goals
- Study in hour increments with breaks. Increments cover small amounts of material.
- Study different topics. Your brain concentrates better if you study in different ways, because a change of interest prevents you from "zoning out." A good example is spending the first hour reading, then rewriting your notes the next hour.
- Don't study for the test the night before. Start one week in advance, two hours a night.
Study Styles
- Be "sense-able." Use all your senses while you learn:
Rewrite your notes (uses senses of touch and sight)
Recite your notes out loud and/or record on tape and play it in your car or in your walkman (uses auditory senses)
Make flash cards (in advance) with questions, terms or definitions on them (uses sight, auditory, and touch)
Work with a study partner in a quiet focused environment. You may want to teach each other the subject. This involves all senses. - Review notes periodically; not just before the exam.
Review notes between classes while the information is fresh on your mind.
Continually edit or rewrite notes to clarify information. Identify concepts that you do not understand, and find out the information to fill in the "gaps."
Review to understand, not just to read. - If you know you are having trouble, seek help immediately-not
midterm or the night before a test. Seek tutoring through:
ARC tutors, athletic tutoring (both are free tutoring programs)
Faculty Mentoring Program in the ARC. Faculty members hold ARC office hours to assist students.
Go to your professor during his or her office hours; this shows that you are concerned and interested in doing well in the class. - Use good time management and plan on succeeding before you study. Organization and a positive attitude can go a long way!
Don't forget to come to our Study Skills workshops!
