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Exams are around the corner and you really want to do well on them, but where do you start? Scoring well on your exams is all about preparation and time management, and this article will walk you through some of the best strategies for both. Check out the steps below for study tips and advice on how to crush it once test day rolls around.
Steps
Revise properly. This means setting up a revision timetable up to days, weeks or even months before the exam or test. The amount of revision time needed will depend on how big the exam or test is. You should revise the main topics for at least 20 minutes a day the week before the exam.[1]
Listen to what the teacher is saying. He or she might make it very clear what to expect in the test.Advertisement
Study in sections. Take the material you are provided with, including any revision notes and flashcards, and divide the material into sections.[2] A good way to revise is to make a knowledge organizer with the topics that you need on it. If you have learning outcomes, then try to make sure that you know all of them.- Study by understanding key points.
Take a practice test.- Reader Poll: We asked 176 How.com.vn readers, and 68% of them agreed that the best way to prepare for a test is to take online practice tests. [Take Poll]
Look at where you went wrong in the practice tests. Focus most on revising those sections.
Take a practice test again (with some different questions if possible). Continue until you return really good results.[3]
Continue to take multiple practice tests. Do this regularly, until your actual exam or test.
Deactivate your social media while revising. While preparing for your test, consider turning off your phone and staying off of social media. You can even temporarily deactivate your social media accounts if you struggle to stop checking them.[4] Checking your phone too often will only serve to distract you.[5]
Eat and sleep well. Just like preparing for a big game, you need to sleep and eat well to fully prepare for an upcoming test.[6] If you are too tired then you will forget everything you studied and if you don't eat well your brain will not operate smoothly.
Do not cram right before a test. Instead, say the formulas in your mind or the properties and its names instead of just reading the textbook all over again. Rereading the textbook right before won't do much good, but a bit of last minute refreshing on what you memorize can be helpful.[7]
Stay calm. Try to relax and take a couple of deep breaths, if necessary. This can help you keep your stress level under control if you struggle with test taking anxiety.[8]
Think about your answers. Make sure it is the right answer. If you are not sure of an answer, skip it and come back to it. Chances are it might be addressed in a different question, so keep your eyes open for more clues on the same topic as you complete the rest of the test.
Don't listen to what others say after the exam or test. If you think what you have written is right, do not stress if others wrote something else. Get on with your next sets of revisions, knowing that you did your best. Only your actual test results will confirm how well you have done.
Make sure to review your test results patiently. This will help you to see what you got right, and where you were incorrect, to help you to improve. Do this when in a calm state so silly mistakes can be fixed. Also, try and always be motivated as it will help you do better.[9]
Expert Q&A
- QuestionHow can I deal with test-taking anxiety?
Jai FlickerJai Flicker is an Academic Tutor and the CEO and Founder of Lifeworks Learning Center, a San Francisco Bay Area-based business focused on providing tutoring, parental support, test preparation, college essay writing help, and psychoeducational evaluations to help students transform their attitude toward learning. Jai has over 20 years of experience in the education management industry. He holds a BA in Philosophy from the University of California, San Diego.
Academic TutorThe number one thing to understand about test anxiety is that it is a physiological response, which has to do with your fight or flight response. The most effective way to deal with that is through resetting the nervous system. Try breathing in for four counts and out for eight counts. If you breathe out twice as long as you breathe in, even for two or three cycles, it resets the nervous system and can bring you a sense of peace and calm. - QuestionI do well in my exams, and I am focused fully on the material. However, I still always manage to make mistakes. How do I improve?
Community AnswerDouble check your work. Pretend like you never answered the question, and re-examine the choices to ensure you picked the right one! - QuestionHow can I improve my studying skills?
Community AnswerWhen you take notes, highlight them so that you will be more inclined to look at them. Also, go to a quiet place to study for the test.
Tips
- During the test, make sure to read the questions carefully. Review all of your answers, if you have time, before you submit your paper, to avoid silly mistakes.[10]Thanks
- Always read the question properly and answer the question accordingly.Thanks
- Do not study for 4-5 hours at a time. Take breaks in between. This will help you to retain things better, and help improve your memory.Thanks
References
- ↑ https://www.youthcentral.vic.gov.au/study-and-training/help-with-study/how-to-study-better/top-10-study-tips
- ↑ Jai Flicker. Academic Tutor. Expert Interview. 20 May 2020.
- ↑ https://lsc.cornell.edu/how-to-study/studying-for-and-taking-exams/what-to-do-with-practice-exams/
- ↑ Jai Flicker. Academic Tutor. Expert Interview. 20 May 2020.
- ↑ https://learningcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/decreasing-digital-distractions/
- ↑ Jai Flicker. Academic Tutor. Expert Interview. 20 May 2020.
- ↑ https://summer.harvard.edu/blog/14-tips-for-test-taking-success/
- ↑ Jai Flicker. Academic Tutor. Expert Interview. 20 May 2020.
- ↑ https://opentextbc.ca/studentsuccess/chapter/test-taking-strategy/
About This Article
Doing well in tests and exams will be much easier if you study beforehand and take your time during the test. Aim to review each major topic for at least 20 minutes per day during the week before the exam. If you’re struggling to find time to study, try making flashcards with the main ideas on the front and descriptions of those ideas on the back. That way, you can take them with you wherever you go. You should also listen to what the teacher says in class, since they may give you hints about what will be in the test. When the exam begins, take a few deep breaths to stay calm and focused. Then, read through the questions carefully before trying to answer them to make sure you understand what’s being asked. For tips on how to take practice tests before an exam, read on!
Reader Success Stories
"I have really bad generalised anxiety. And with exams coming up, I had been stressing so much. It would keep me awake, so I'm so thankful for some tips to help me keep a level head!"..." more
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