Test-Taking

Before the exam:

• Organize your notes — beginning on the first day of the quarter.
• Organize your time — set aside blocks of time to study.
• Find out as much as you can about the exam — ask your teacher.
• Anticipate exam questions.
• Study actively — summarize, write, recite and practice problems.
• Prepare needed materials:
  • If the exam is open book or notes, highlight information that you might like to cite in an answer.
  • If you can use a sheet of notes, create the sheet early and use it while studying.
• Get a good night's sleep.
• Arrive on time, but not too early — listening to others cram may confuse or panic.
• Think positively.

During the exam:

• Get materials organized.
• Listen for last-minute instructions.
• Make quick notes about facts you think you might forget.
• Read all instructions and problems carefully.
• Organize your time — don't spend too much time on one problem.
• When finished, go back and read the directions to be sure that you followed them.
• Check and double-check your answers.
• Use all the time allowed.

After the exam:

• Use the exam as a learning experience.
• Go back to your notes and try to answer the exam problems.
• Look for a pattern in the type of problems you do very well (or very poorly), and try to assess why this is true.
• Determine which study techniques worked for you.
• Discuss your performance with your teacher.
• Rework problems you missed.
• If you are allowed to keep the exam, keep it to study for finals or for future reference.