Test Taking Tips & Strategies
Studying for a test is not an easy task. It can become more challenging when you're not sure of any strategies that are going to be helpful and effective for you. This article will give you some tips and things to consider when taking a test so that it can be less stressful and more productive.
Do your best to stay positive! Some days the tips may work better than others, but the point is to try your hardest each time you are about to take a test. Take one tip at a time, and then leave the rest for another time - don't think about other things while studying or taking a quiz or exam because this will distract from which study method would be best at that moment in time.
When you first walk into the room where the test is being held, survey the room and take some time to get situated. Find where you're going to sit, who's around you, how many people are taking the test, who's taking it with you...signs of a good student. As much as possible, don't choose a seat that is in view of the entire class. The reason for this is because if everyone seems to be paying attention then it could intimidate and make one feel uncomfortable about taking notes or asking questions when needed. It's always best not to feel like something may be wrong or that there are people observing you and judging what you do or don't do on your test.
Take a few deep breaths, and remind yourself that you have prepared for this and that you have studied well. If you feel like telling yourself a story or saying something positive, then go ahead. You can also take a minute to visualize how the day will go. Think about how the day will be in a perfect situation, where everything is going smoothly and no problems arise. If you can calm yourself with imagery or positive thoughts, then this is something that should definitely be done before testing time commences.
As you begin the exam, try to stay calm by taking deep breaths and listening to relaxing music that is not too distracting. It's very hard to relax if you are worried about time or other people so try not to look at others while they are taking the test, and don't talk to someone unless it is very necessary. Keeping your mind on the test can be a challenge, especially when there is a good distraction like friends or a nice view out of a window.
Don't waste time trying to figure out the best way to study before you need it. This is a good way to drive yourself crazy and make you more stressed out. If you haven't figured out what works for you yet, then just do your best to be honest with yourself about how you study and which methods are effective.
Remember that there is no 'one way' to study that fits all people. This means that if your friend doesn't use flash cards but always gets a good grade on tests, then don't think that flash cards are the best way for everyone. Just because one of your friends doesn't have time to review their notes before their test, it doesn't mean that it's not worth it for you.
Think about what you do well and make sure that is a part of the methods you've chosen to study. For example, if you can't seem to retain information in your mind and it stays there for a short amount of time, then look at learning material that is easy to remember. If you can easily memorize things, then look for more information or practice questions in books and workbooks that focus more on recalling facts rather than learning things from scratch. This type of approach will be more beneficial for people who have little trouble remembering things or recalling them quickly because their brain is generally very good at processing information.
If you can't seem to retain information in your mind and it stays there for a short amount of time, then look at learning material that is easy to remember. If you can easily memorize things, then look for more information or practice questions in books and workbooks that focus more on recalling facts rather than learning things from scratch. This type of approach will be more beneficial for people who have little trouble remembering things or recalling them quickly because their brain is generally very good at processing information.
While taking the test, try to choose answers based on what 'feels' right rather than second-guessing yourself by guessing. Sometimes when you're nervous the best thing is to make an educated guess and then hope that it's right. If there is a certain topic where you feel very confident, then go ahead and choose that answer. If you can't really find an answer, then just pick what feels 'right' at the moment. You can always come back to it later. Don't hesitate to change your answers if you get one of the wrong ones during the test or immediately after it's over.
Always try to find something positive in any test that you take, even if it's not the perfect score like 90% or something amazing like getting all A's. Try to take something from the test and use it to better yourself. Don't let a bad grade get you down, because next time you have the opportunity to take a test, you can apply what you learned from the last time and do better.
When taking a test over something that seems hard or challenging to understand, try finding another way to interpret it. When I studied for US History in high school during World War II, I didn't really understand how the Cold War was such an issue until I talked with my dad about it. I'm sure you've had similar experiences and can relate.
When taking a test over something that seems hard or challenging to understand, try finding another way to interpret it. When I studied for US History in high school during World War II, I didn't really understand how the Cold War was such an issue until I talked with my dad about it. I'm sure you've had similar experiences and can relate.
Try not to let others affect your feelings toward school or yourself. Remember that there are always people who do better than other people, but this doesn't mean that you're not any good at things or won't be able to succeed because of it.
Try not to let others affect your feelings toward school or yourself. Remember that there are always people who do better than other people, but this doesn't mean that you're not any good at things or won't be able to succeed because of it.
If you're taking a test, then use the time to answer questions that you feel relatively confident about first rather than starting with the questions that seem the most difficult for you. If you have time remaining when you get to the difficult questions, then take as much time as necessary to solve them correctly but don't waste time on things that require too much effort without getting many points in return.
Conclusion
I hope that this article has provided you with some helpful tips on how to study and how to do better in school, because you need to learn the best methods that you can. When it comes to studying, it's best that you experiment and find out what works for your learning style and what doesn't work for your needs. This way, when it comes time to take a test you'll be much more prepared and will be able to do much better. Remember that everyone has different learning styles so there is no "one way" to study so don't be hard on yourself if the method that works for one person won't work for you.