10 Test-Taking Tips
- Before the test, try to predict the questions that will be on the exam. This is an active learning exercise that helps you focus your studying.
- Study with friends and quiz each other. This can help you figure out if there are any material that you might need to focus more on, while also making sure that you understand the material enough to explain it to others.
- Do not study in large blocks of time, but rather 3-5 short study sessions per day.
- Write out important information as soon as you get the test, whether formulas, dates, mnemonics, key things you need to remember, etc. I’m also a big fan of listening to music as you go in to take the exam, as you get to avoid the nervous chatter and get in a good head space.
- Preview the test and consider how much time you’ll need for each section.
- Answer the easier questions first in order to build up momentum and confidence.
- Express difficult questions in your own words in order to clarify a question’s main pint.
- Leave time for review so that you can catch simple mistakes and avoid losing points.
- Go over the test once you get it back so that you can review your performance; don’t be afraid to go to the instructor to discuss any points that are not clear.
- Do not get derailed by a disappointing test grade, as it does not say anything about your ability or character, but rather that you need to refocus your notetaking and study habits. Perhaps you understood the material at a surface level, but your instructor wanted deeper analytical things and applied knowledge.