Prepare for Tests
According to an old saying, “Success is 90 percent preparation and 10 percent perspiration.” The idea that preparation leads to success isn’t a new concept — throughout the book we’ve stressed that investing time up front helps you learn and retain more information — but it’s equally relevant in this chapter. Why? Because taking the time to prepare is one of the most crucial parts of taking tests successfully.
WRITING PROMPT: Ask students to write a one- to two-page reflection paper examining their feelings about tests. Have them compare what it was like to prepare for an exam they were nervous about and for an exam they were confident about. How were these experiences different?
You can use many test preparation strategies to set yourself on the right path; in fact, some of them may already sound very familiar. Let’s explore them in more depth.
Build a Sensible Study Schedule
FOR DISCUSSION: Ask students: What are some potential benefits to creating a study schedule early? How can you ensure that you maintain your schedule? How can you incorporate assignments into your study schedule?
The road to successful test taking begins on the first day of class, when you receive your syllabus and start creating your personal study schedule. The chapter on organization and time management is packed with strategies you can use to create and follow a schedule for studying for each exam. For example, if you space out your studying over time, rather than cram it all into the day before the test, you’ll retain more information1 and feel less stressed when exam time approaches. Build a sensible schedule that gives you plenty of time to prepare, to learn, and to remember (see Figure 9.1).
CONNECT
TO MY EXPERIENCE
Think about a time when you studied effectively for a test and earned a good grade. Write down everything you did to study, and put a star next to the things you’d like to do to prepare for your next exam. Also, write down any new strategies you’ll try next time, including how you’ll adjust your schedule if needed.
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Use Your Study Skills
All the other study skills described in this book — including reading, note taking, strengthening your memory, and studying — can also help you prepare for tests and exams. As an example, the memory and studying chapter includes a number of strategies you can use to prepare for tests of all kinds. Flash cards can help you get ready for true/false and matching questions and for classes where you need to memorize formulas. Review sheets work well to prepare you for essay questions, and completing practice problems can prepare you for math and science exams. If you’ve created your own practice tests, take them again the day before an exam. And by all means, contact your study group members and review the information together before the test — they’ll provide support and encouragement, and they’re a great source of information if you have questions.
ACTIVITY: After students create the list describing the things they’ve done in the past (see Connect to My Experience), divide the class into groups. Have each group compare their lists. What items were the same? Which were different? Share the results with the class.
Know the Exam Format
Knowing the exam format is critical to getting ready for a test. It also takes some of the anxiety out of the test-taking experience. Early in the term, find out what kinds of questions your instructors will include on their exams. Some instructors put this information in the syllabus; in other classes, you may have to ask. In addition, figure out whether the exams are cumulative (covering all the material you’ve learned so far in the course) or whether they include only new material you’ve learned since the previous test. This information will affect how you prepare.
Cumulative Exams: Exams that cover everything you’ve learned in the course up to that point in the term.
Review Previous Exams
If your instructors provide their previous exams as a study aid, use them to get some practice and familiarize yourself with the types of questions you’ll see on tests. Your instructors may make these tests available online, in a study guide, or in their offices. If your instructors don’t mention previous exams, ask them if these exams are available — the worst they can say is “no.” Also, even if an instructor doesn’t let students review previous exams, he or she may review test material during the class period before the exam or host a study session. Take advantage of all of these opportunities.
FOR DISCUSSION: Use the example of taking a driver’s test to show the benefits of knowing an exam format. How would they have felt if they didn’t know that there would be a multiple-choice test on the rules of the road, plus a road test with an examiner? Would this have made it difficult to prepare? Would it have caused anxiety?
Talk with Your Instructor
Your instructors want to help you succeed — that’s why they teach — so visit them during their office hours if you have questions or concerns about exams. Sometimes students feel intimidated by in-person visits, but office hours are designed so that students can meet and talk with instructors and learn one-on-one. A subject matter expert will be sitting in the room with you, ready to clarify questions and provide advice — what a great opportunity!
FOR DISCUSSION: Some students have difficulty creating questions for instructors. Using imagery, invite students to walk through taking a test. What items are needed? What does the test look like? How long will they need to complete the test? By imagining the process, students may be able to formulate questions about how to prepare.
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To get the most from these visits, prepare a list of questions beforehand. For example, you might ask, “What will the exam format be?,” “How much time will we have to complete the exam?,” or “How would you recommend preparing for the test?”
CONNECT
TO MY RESOURCES
Many resources on campus (like study groups and instructors) and off campus (like family members to watch your children while you study) can help you prepare effectively for exams. Write down three resources you’ll use to help you prepare for tests this term.
Most instructors’ office hours are first come, first served, so consider making an appointment before you go. Also, if you can’t make it to office hours, don’t give up: Ask your instructor if he or she is willing to meet with you before or after class so you can get the answers you need.
If you’re taking an online class, you may not be able to visit your instructor in person, but you can still find ways to communicate. Some professors hold “virtual” office hours, during which they’re available to chat or answer questions online. Alternatively, use e-mail or contact your instructor to schedule a phone call.
Stay Healthy
The week leading up to an exam can be stressful, and you may find yourself skimping on sleep, devouring junk food instead of taking time to prepare meals, and cramming for the test rather than hitting the gym. These behaviors may be understandable, but they can backfire and sap your energy. As a result, when test day comes, you may deliver a less-than-stellar performance.
FURTHER READING: To better understand the value of a good night’s rest, ask students to read Jacqueline Howard’s 2014 article “Scientists Link a Good Night’s Sleep to Higher Test Scores,” published online at huffingtonpost.com.
Resist any urge to change your routine right before a test. Instead, make a plan to stay healthy. Try to stick to your normal exercise, dietary, and sleep routines — going into a test well rested is vital to performing your best. Also, give yourself a wake-up insurance policy: If your exam is first thing in the morning, set your regular alarm plus a second alarm as backup.
FURTHER READING: Andrea Anderson’s article “Why Do I Always Get Sick after Final Exams?” (published on ScienceLine.org in 2007) examines the phenomenon of students getting sick after exams.