1. Academic Success Workshop Exam Preparation
Professor Kevin Anderson

2. Purpose and Objectives
To ensure students are adequately prepared for exams
To introduce study techniques that can be used for exam preparation
To explain what an “Exam Study Guide” is and how to create one
To find the best place or places to study
To get organized
To determine “what’s the best time for me to study?’
How to gain the most out of 15 minutes of exam study
Study groups: Do they help and when should you use them

3. To ensure students are adequately prepared for exams
You are not getting a new brain; You have to use the one you have

4. What Kind of Learner Are You?
Auditory Learners – learn best by hearing (lectures, discussions, CD’s)
Visual Learners – learn best by seeing (films, pictures, flash cards, charts, diagrams)
Kinesthetic Learners –learn best by doing (labs, hands-on activities)

5. Noted Educator – Dr. William Glasser states students Learn:
10% of what they read
20% of what they hear
30% of what they see
50% of what they see and hear
70% of what is discussed with others
80% of what they experience personally
95% of what they teach to someone else

6. Get ORGANIZED for Study
Determine how long you will need to prepare (hours, days, weeks, months, etc..)
Apportion the time (Do I have 1 week or just 3 days?)
What do I hope to accomplish out of this particular study session (i.e., memorize rules of law)
How long should my individual study session be?

7. Organize Your Study Session
Research has shown that students learn the most during the first and last 10 minutes of any study session.
If you need to memorize anything do that first.
Take a break every minutes.

8. What is an “Exam Study Guide” and do I need one?
It’s the “Holy Grail” of exam preparation.
Everything you need to know for your exam can be found in the exam study guide.
It is created from your instructors exam review, lecture notes, past class assignments you will be tested on.
Anything else you deem important (day and time of the exam, scantron forms, #2 pencils).
Begin creating it immediately after the exam review.

9. Where is the best place for ME to study
Do I need complete quiet?
Am I easily distracted or interrupted?
Do I need a place that is well lit?
Do I need a lot of desk space?
Will a friend or classmate Hinder or Help me?

10. How to gain the most out of 15 minutes of exam study
Organize your study guide in a way you can review most important topics in 15 minutes or less.
If you have 15 minutes of free time review just one of the important topics in your study guide.
Athletes traveling a long distance to away events, put your study guide on a disk that can be heard with an MP 3 Player. (It really works!)

11. To introduce study techniques that can be used for exam preparation
Memorization – should be done first
Practice writing – if your exam is an essay exam
Sample test questions – from the book, the web, and sometimes from your instructor. Begin with short answers (a paragraph or less).
Place yourself under exam conditions and practice taking the exam (do this at least 2 times before an exam), it helps relieve test anxiety.

12. Study Groups: Do they help and when should you use them
Yes they can but should not be a substitute for personal study.
Ensure each group member is prepared when the group meets.
Know before the group meets what the groups wants to accomplish at this study session
Stay focused

13. Repeat the Process over and over and over and over and over again!