Strategies for Your Academic Success MIDTERM TEST TAKING STRATEGIES Dr. John Michael Domino Center for Academic Assistance Florida Gulf Coast University

Strategic Review  Ask questions – get answers the same day!  Seek SI or a tutor- make it a weekly habit!  – the instructor, SI leader, classmate, etc.  Recite your notes daily – take frequent breaks!  Use index cards, post notes, and color pens.  Recite out loud - walk around the room.  Limit TV and Internet games to 30 min.  Visit The Center for Academic Assistance

Why is Reviewing Important?  Review notes after class each day – it will help you recall facts easier.  At the end of nine weeks, those who reviewed their notes within the same day recalled about 75% of the information.  Those who did not review their notes were unable to recall even 50% of the information after one day and only a little more than 20% of the information after nine weeks.  Review while things are fresh the same day - Don’t Procrastinate!

PROCRASTINATION “DO IT NOW” DONUTS Hot, Fresh, and Tasty!

PROCRASTINATION What happens to the same donuts if they are left out after two weeks ?. In two weeks the donuts will become STALE and Hard to eat!

Old Stale Information Two weeks old (or more)  What happens to information we learn today?  On the same day it’s fresh! But if we don’t take a bite of the same information in a few weeks it becomes fuzzy, stale, and hard to recall.  “Review information the same day while it’s still fresh and easy to remember.”

FOCUS for Success on Midterm Exams  Use the F-O-C-U-S method, make it a habit!  F ocus – focus on the syllabus and study guide.  O pen – open your text and your notes daily and become familiar with the content.  C ondense – condense notes to form study sheets.  U nderstand – review material you are unsure of.  S tudy – in a quiet place, such as the library. Study with a partner, in a group, and quiz one another based on the syllabus and study guide.

Time Management Solutions  Use a day planner, try it at least 21 days!  Schedule due dates for exams and papers.  Activate your own “Plan for Success.”  FOCUS - during peak study times.  Make daily, weekly “to do” list.  Prioritize daily and weekly activities.  List and prioritize goals.  Use index cards – every chance you get!  Stop the clock – What are you doing now?

Write it Down!  Write it in class.  Condense information on index cards, post notes, or study sheets.  Try to re-write it in your own words.  Use analogies or pictures to help you to recall facts.

What to do now?  Pay close attention to everything in class.  Take detailed notes -even if you don’t understand  During review sessions, check for clarification.  Draw pictures and symbols for recall.  Plan to review with a study buddy.  Rewrite notes in your own words.  Write down questions – go to the source!  Get answers today! instructors.  Schedule SI or tutorial sessions.

VISUALIZE and Re- Write notes in Your Own Words! For Example: Both, Dr. Harold W. Stein and Dr. John C. Wattenburger have the unique distinction of being the two main educational activist of the community college movement. This new innovative movement started the U.S. back in Re-write in abbreviate form: Stein & What– a - burger - start CC Movement in ‘62 *Much easier to read & visualize!

Interpreting Textbooks  Focus on your study guide and/or syllabus.  Highlight suggested study information.  Use the text index.  Highlight information  Condense by using post-notes  Clarify information learned with study buddies, SI leaders and other sources.

What To Do Before an Exam  Talk with successful, calm, and confident friends.  Get adequate sleep – the day before the exam.  Don’t Cram – review and condense notes.  Review other exams – check if they are on file.  Review all quizzes – this is essential.  Make up practice test – based on notes.  Prepare, Relax, and Think Positive!

I am Already Behind What Else Can I Do?  Double your efforts – Unplug the T.V.!  Answer only - important s!  Budget Time - Study & Exercise!  Carry Flashcards with you & review often!  Put a “W.I.P.” sign on your door/desk!  Turn phone off & answering machine on!  Prioritize time you have now in a planner!  Keep review and study time appointments!

CRAM with a PLAN  Focus syllabus and study guide.  Condense important information.  Use post-notes/flash cars/study list.  Recite, recite and recite, out loud.  Sleep 8 hrs. the day before exam.  Eat a light meal – no caffeine!  Preview - the day of the test.  Prioritize study time on Daily Planner – use colors, symbols, etc.  Cancel non-essential appointments.

Prioritize Day Planner List priorities in order A,B,C, D, etc. in your daily planner. Cross out or check when you completed an assignment. You can also use colors – red for high priorities, then purple, blue, green, and so forth…

What To Do During the Exam  Arrive Early – sit where you feel comfortable.  Bring Bottled Water – a huge advantage!  Read Questions and Directions Carefully!  Practice breathing and exercises.  Preview exam - divide & conquer!  Prioritize time you have now in writing!  Answer multiple choice before essays.  Skip difficult questions – save them for last!  Allow a few minutes to review answers.

* Intelligent Guessing  True/False – if you’re unsure select -True  Multiple Choice – Eliminate extreme answers with words such as always, never, all, none, etc.  In-between answers with words such as often, seldom, probably, are usually a good choice.  If you see a strange answer that seems out of place it’s probably not the right choice.  If two answers are completely opposite - usually one is correct.  If a part of a statement is false the whole answer is false. *Follow rules only if you are unsure of the answer!

Essays and Subjective Exams Make a rough outline – list main thoughts. Organize paragraphs based on information. Select topic sentence headings. Write a draft answer and then refine it. Double space your answers. Write clear – print answers if necessary. Read your answers carefully and refine. “PARTIAL CREDIT RULES!”

After The Exam * Relax – Knowing you have done your best!  Review your all of your answers.  Clarify answers with instructor.  Have incorrect answers explained in detail.  Go over test information with a SI leader. * Note: Some instructors give extra pts. for SI attendance.  Write down any new information learned.  Prepare for Final exams!  Visit the Center of Academic Assistance.  Come to our next success seminar – TBA!