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

6 Steps of Preparing for Exams Step 1: Determine the content Step 1: Determine the content Syllabus Syllabus Textbook chapters Textbook chapters Notes – are they complete? Notes – are they complete? Previous exams and quizzes Previous exams and quizzes Handouts Handouts Other students Other students Last class before exam Last class before exam

6 Steps of Preparing for Exams cont. Step 2: Organize Step 2: Organize Chunking Chunking Thematic study Thematic study Integrate all information from text, lecture, and handouts Integrate all information from text, lecture, and handouts Test Preparation Checklist Test Preparation Checklist Step 3: Identify specific study strategies Step 3: Identify specific study strategies Predicting questions Predicting questions Use higher level questions: apply, solve, analyze, argue, plan, cause and effect Use higher level questions: apply, solve, analyze, argue, plan, cause and effect Cram cards Cram cards

6 Steps of Preparing for Exams cont. Step 4: Identify time needed for each strategy Step 4: Identify time needed for each strategy Step 5: Allocate time in your weekly schedule Step 5: Allocate time in your weekly schedule Step 6: Modify if needed Step 6: Modify if needed

Goal Setting and Time Management How can goal setting and time management affect your test preparation? How can goal setting and time management affect your test preparation?

5 Day Study Plan Make an exam study plan – start about 5 days in advance. Begin with the oldest or most difficult material, since it will be the least fresh in your mind. Break down the chapters and readings. Be sure to review everything that you have studied every day. Make an exam study plan – start about 5 days in advance. Begin with the oldest or most difficult material, since it will be the least fresh in your mind. Break down the chapters and readings. Be sure to review everything that you have studied every day. The day before the exam should be for review only, not for learning new material. The day before the exam should be for review only, not for learning new material.

Example Tuesday Tuesday Prepare CH 1 – 2 hrs Prepare CH 1 – 2 hrs Wednesday Wednesday Prepare CH 2 – 2 hrs Prepare CH 2 – 2 hrs Review CH 1 – 30 min Review CH 1 – 30 min Thursday Thursday Prepare CH 3 – 1.5 hrs Prepare CH 3 – 1.5 hrs Review CH 2 – 30 min Review CH 2 – 30 min Review CH 1 – 15 min Review CH 1 – 15 min Friday Friday Prepare CH 4 – 1 hr Review CH 3 – 30 min Review CH 2 – 15 min Review CH 1 – 10 min Sunday Sunday Review CH 4 – 30 min Review CH 3 – 20 min Review CH 2 – 10 min Review CH 1 – 10 min Self-test -- 1hr

Preparation Techniques Preparation Preparation Study sheets Study sheets Notecards with definitions, questions, formulas, or problems Notecards with definitions, questions, formulas, or problems Outlines/notes Outlines/notes Self-tests Self-tests Prepare material for a study group Prepare material for a study group Predict essay questions Predict essay questions Review Review Recite out loud answers to study sheets and notecards Take self-test Recite main points Re-create charts and lists from memory Explain material to study group Answer essay questions

Improve your study methods: Avoid cramming!! Begin studying from day one. Plan ahead and schedule study time daily. Don’t wait until the day before. Cramming is only used for survival, not success. Avoid cramming!! Begin studying from day one. Plan ahead and schedule study time daily. Don’t wait until the day before. Cramming is only used for survival, not success. Take control of your schedule so you can complete all reading and assignments on time. Take control of your schedule so you can complete all reading and assignments on time. Review and revise notes daily. Immediately after each class, spend a few minutes reading over your notes. Also do a cumulative review of all material presented that week. Review and revise notes daily. Immediately after each class, spend a few minutes reading over your notes. Also do a cumulative review of all material presented that week. Study in smaller blocks of time. Study for minutes then take a 10 minute break and reward yourself with a brief walk or a snack. Study in smaller blocks of time. Study for minutes then take a 10 minute break and reward yourself with a brief walk or a snack.

Improvement cont. Don’t pull an all-nighter. You’ll show up tired in mind and body. Don’t pull an all-nighter. You’ll show up tired in 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 to ask questions. Read prior to class so you’ll be prepared and able to ask questions. Prepare for the test by predicting test questions then test yourself to see how well you know the information. Prepare for the test by predicting test questions then test yourself to see how well you know the information. Over-study. When you think you know it, continue to review. It will increase your chances of recalling it under stress. Over-study. When you think you know it, continue to review. It will increase your chances of recalling it under stress.

Improvement cont. Increase your concentration while you study by writing summaries, generating questions from your lecture notes or textbook, making study sheets, outlines, maps or charts of the material. Make index cards for key terms, concepts or theories. Increase your concentration while you study by writing summaries, generating questions from your lecture notes or textbook, making study sheets, outlines, maps or charts of the material. Make index cards for key terms, concepts or theories. Develop good test-taking skills. Develop good test-taking skills. Familiarize yourself with what the instructor expects, what materials s/he will test on, what types of questions s/he typically asks. Familiarize yourself with what the instructor expects, what materials s/he will test on, what types of questions s/he typically asks.

Know how to get help early… Join an SI group or form your own study group Join an SI group or form your own study group Exchange phone numbers and addresses with a few students in each of your classes. Exchange phone numbers and addresses with a few students in each of your classes. Visit your professors during office hours to ask questions Visit your professors during office hours to ask questions Go for tutoring Go for tutoring Meet with a counselor in Counseling Services Meet with a counselor in Counseling Services

Other helpful tips… Work on your confidence and self-esteem (negative thinking can become a self-fulfilling prophecy). Work on your confidence and self-esteem (negative thinking can become a self-fulfilling prophecy). Find out as much as you can about the test format. Find out as much as you can about the test format. Get adequate sleep the night before the test. Get adequate sleep the night before the test. Wear comfortable clothing Wear comfortable clothing

Tips cont. Eat a protein-rich breakfast before a morning test. Avoid caffeine and foods with a high sugar content. Eat a protein-rich breakfast before a morning test. Avoid caffeine and foods with a high sugar content. Learn and practice relaxation techniques in the days prior to the test. Learn and practice relaxation techniques in the days prior to the test. Stop worrying, because it will not solve anything. Worrying just diverts your attention from the material you need to recall for the test. Stop worrying, because it will not solve anything. Worrying just diverts your attention from the material you need to recall for the test. Keep the experience in perspective. In 20 years, is anyone going to know or care what grade you got on this one test? Keep the experience in perspective. In 20 years, is anyone going to know or care what grade you got on this one test?

Cramming  If you have to cram If you have to cram Don’t spend a lot of time on what you can’t do Don’t spend a lot of time on what you can’t do Develop a plan with the time you do have Develop a plan with the time you do have Focus on the main point of the course Focus on the main point of the course Prepare a one-page summary Prepare a one-page summary Read over notes Read over notes Review material after test Review material after test

Self-Testing Cram Cards: Cram Cards: Not used for note-taking. Are for seeing the big picture. Not used for note-taking. Are for seeing the big picture. Use key words (from title or headings) Use key words (from title or headings) Be specific and visual Be specific and visual