TIPS for DOING YOUR BEST
on an EXAM
1. Focus your studying by anticipating what will be on the exam.
Review class notes, past tests and quizzes, corrected worksheets that your
teacher has handed back to you, and any study guides your teachers may
have given you. Use these resources in order to focus your studying for the
exam. Chances are, topics that have come up repeatedly in your class work
will probably be on the final exam. Reviewing topics that are only briefly
covered throughout the course might not be worth your time and energy.
2. Fill in the details.
If your teacher gives you a study guide, treat it exactly as
what it is: a
brief
outline of topics you should review for the exam. Here are
some tips you should follow in order to maximize the effectiveness of your
study guide:
a. Pre-read
First, grab a pen or pencil and read through the entire
study guide.
i.
Circle any topics that need to be reviewed more closely.
ii.
Underline key terms and equations that you are fairly certain will
appear on the exam (whether or not you think you already know
them).
iii.
Place a checkmark next to the topics that you feel most confident about.
b. Create a review outline
Next, open a new word document on your
computer or turn to a blank page in a notebook.
i.
Copy down a brief description of each topic you have circled in your
study guide (those topics that you know you will need to reviewmore).
•
Under each of these circled topics, create a list of at least five
general questions that you still have about the topic.
ii.
Create a list of each of the key terms and equations that you have
underlined. They do not need to be put in any particular order.
•
Next to each key term and equation, write a detailed definition.
Make sure this definition matches the definition found in the book
or class notes.
iii.
Copy down each of the topics that you have placed a checkmark next
to. Under each topic, make a list of five possible questions that might
be on the exam relating to the topic.
c. Create flashcards
Use your review outline as a way to create flashcards.
i.
Items you have circled:
On one side of the flashcard, copy each
general question you have written down about the topics that you
must still study. On the other side of each card, copy the correct
answer from the book. Make sure each correct answer contains all
relevant information.
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