Test PreparationTest Preparation

6 Steps of Test Preparation, 5 Day 6 Steps of Test Preparation, 5 Day Study Plan, Cram CardsStudy Plan, Cram Cards

6 Steps of Preparing for Exams6 Steps of Preparing for Exams

Step 1: Determine the contentStep 1: Determine the content SyllabusSyllabus Textbook chaptersTextbook chapters Notes – are they complete?Notes – are they complete? Previous exams and quizzesPrevious exams and quizzes HandoutsHandouts Other studentsOther students Last class before examLast class before exam

6 Steps of Preparing for Exams cont.6 Steps of Preparing for Exams cont.

Step 2: OrganizeStep 2: Organize ChunkingChunking Thematic studyThematic study Integrate all information from text, lecture, and handoutsIntegrate all information from text, lecture, and handouts Test Preparation ChecklistTest Preparation Checklist

Step 3: Identify specific study strategiesStep 3: Identify specific study strategies Predicting questionsPredicting questions Use higher level questions: apply, solve, analyze, argue, plan, Use higher level questions: apply, solve, analyze, argue, plan,

cause and effectcause and effect Cram cardsCram cards

6 Steps of Preparing for Exams cont.6 Steps of Preparing for Exams cont.

Step 4: Identify time needed for each strategyStep 4: Identify time needed for each strategy

Step 5: Allocate time in your weekly scheduleStep 5: Allocate time in your weekly schedule

Step 6: Modify if neededStep 6: Modify if needed

Goal Setting and Time ManagementGoal Setting and Time Management

How can goal setting and time management How can goal setting and time management affect your test preparation?affect your test preparation?

5 Day Study Plan5 Day Study Plan

Make an exam study plan – start about 5 days Make an exam study plan – start about 5 days in advance. Begin with the oldest or most in advance. Begin with the oldest or most difficult material, since it will be the least difficult material, since it will be the least fresh in your mind. Break down the chapters fresh in your mind. Break down the chapters and readings. Be sure to review everything and readings. Be sure to review everything that you have studied every day. that you have studied every day.

The day before the exam should be for review The day before the exam should be for review only, not for learning new material. only, not for learning new material.

ExampleExample

TuesdayTuesday Prepare CH 1 – 2 hrsPrepare CH 1 – 2 hrs

WednesdayWednesday Prepare CH 2 – 2 hrsPrepare CH 2 – 2 hrs Review CH 1 – 30 minReview CH 1 – 30 min

ThursdayThursday Prepare CH 3 – 1.5 hrsPrepare CH 3 – 1.5 hrs Review CH 2 – 30 minReview CH 2 – 30 min Review CH 1 – 15 minReview CH 1 – 15 min

FridayFriday Prepare CH 4 – 1 hrPrepare CH 4 – 1 hr Review CH 3 – 30 minReview CH 3 – 30 min Review CH 2 – 15 minReview CH 2 – 15 min Review CH 1 – 10 minReview CH 1 – 10 min

SundaySunday Review CH 4 – 30 minReview CH 4 – 30 min Review CH 3 – 20 minReview CH 3 – 20 min Review CH 2 – 10 minReview CH 2 – 10 min Review CH 1 – 10 minReview CH 1 – 10 min Self-test -- 1hrSelf-test -- 1hr

Preparation TechniquesPreparation Techniques

PreparationPreparation Study sheetsStudy sheets Notecards with Notecards with

definitions, questions, definitions, questions, formulas, or problemsformulas, or problems

Outlines/notesOutlines/notes Self-testsSelf-tests Prepare material for a Prepare material for a

study groupstudy group Predict essay questionsPredict essay questions

ReviewReview Recite out loud answers Recite out loud answers

to study sheets and to study sheets and notecardsnotecards

Take self-testTake self-test Recite main pointsRecite main points Re-create charts and lists Re-create charts and lists

from memoryfrom memory Explain material to study Explain material to study

groupgroup Answer essay questionsAnswer essay questions

Improve your study methods:Improve your study methods:

Avoid cramming!! Begin studying from day one. Plan Avoid cramming!! Begin studying from day one. Plan ahead and schedule study time daily. Don’t wait until the ahead and schedule study time daily. Don’t wait until the day before. Cramming is only used for survival, not day before. Cramming is only used for survival, not success.success.

Take control of your schedule so you can complete all Take control of your schedule so you can complete all reading and assignments on time.reading and assignments on time.

Review and revise notes daily. Immediately after each Review and revise notes daily. Immediately after each class, spend a few minutes reading over your notes. Also class, spend a few minutes reading over your notes. Also do a cumulative review of all material presented that week.do a cumulative review of all material presented that week.

Study in smaller blocks of time. Study for 30-40 minutes Study in smaller blocks of time. Study for 30-40 minutes then take a 10 minute break and reward yourself with a then take a 10 minute break and reward yourself with a brief walk or a snack.brief walk or a snack.

Improvement cont.Improvement cont. Don’t pull an all-nighter. You’ll show up tired in Don’t pull an all-nighter. You’ll show up tired in

mind and body.mind and body. Don’t allow yourself to procrastinate.Don’t allow yourself to procrastinate. Read prior to class so you’ll be prepared and able Read prior to class so you’ll be prepared and able

to ask questions.to ask questions. Prepare for the test by predicting test questions Prepare for the test by predicting test questions

then test yourself to see how well you know the then test yourself to see how well you know the information.information.

Over-study. When you think you know it, Over-study. When you think you know it, continue to review. It will increase your chances continue to review. It will increase your chances of recalling it under stress.of recalling it under stress.

Improvement cont.Improvement cont.

Increase your concentration while you study by Increase your concentration while you study by writing summaries, generating questions from your writing summaries, generating questions from your lecture notes or textbook, making study sheets, lecture notes or textbook, making study sheets, outlines, maps or charts of the material. Make index outlines, maps or charts of the material. Make index cards for key terms, concepts or theories.cards for key terms, concepts or theories.

Develop good test-taking skills.Develop good test-taking skills. Familiarize yourself with what the instructor expects, Familiarize yourself with what the instructor expects,

what materials s/he will test on, what types of what materials s/he will test on, what types of questions s/he typically asks.questions s/he typically asks.

Know how to get help early…Know how to get help early…

Join an SI group or form your own study groupJoin an SI group or form your own study group Exchange phone numbers and email addresses Exchange phone numbers and email addresses

with a few students in each of your classes.with a few students in each of your classes. Visit your professors during office hours to ask Visit your professors during office hours to ask

questionsquestions Go for tutoringGo for tutoring Meet with a counselor in Counseling ServicesMeet with a counselor in Counseling Services

Other helpful tips…Other helpful tips…

Work on your confidence and self-esteem Work on your confidence and self-esteem (negative thinking can become a self-fulfilling (negative thinking can become a self-fulfilling prophecy).prophecy).

Find out as much as you can about the test Find out as much as you can about the test format.format.

Get adequate sleep the night before the test.Get adequate sleep the night before the test. Wear comfortable clothingWear comfortable clothing

Tips cont.Tips cont. Eat a protein-rich breakfast before a morning test. Eat a protein-rich breakfast before a morning test.

Avoid caffeine and foods with a high sugar Avoid caffeine and foods with a high sugar content.content.

Learn and practice relaxation techniques in the Learn and practice relaxation techniques in the days prior to the test.days prior to the test.

Stop worrying, because it will not solve anything. Stop worrying, because it will not solve anything. Worrying just diverts your attention from the Worrying just diverts your attention from the material you need to recall for the test.material you need to recall for the test.

Keep the experience in perspective. In 20 years, is Keep the experience in perspective. In 20 years, is anyone going to know or care what grade you got anyone going to know or care what grade you got on this one test?on this one test?

Cramming Cramming

If you have to cramIf you have to cram Don’t spend a lot of time on what you can’t Don’t spend a lot of time on what you can’t

dodo Develop a plan with the time you do haveDevelop a plan with the time you do have

Focus on the main point of the courseFocus on the main point of the course Prepare a one-page summaryPrepare a one-page summary Read over notesRead over notes Review material after testReview material after test

Self-TestingSelf-Testing

Cram Cards:Cram Cards: Not used for note-taking. Are for seeing the Not used for note-taking. Are for seeing the

big picture.big picture. Use key words (from title or headings)Use key words (from title or headings) Be specific and visualBe specific and visual