Study Skills and Test Taking Strategies

studying starts here.

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Develop a passion for learning. If you do, you will never cease to grow.

Anthony J. D'Angelo

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27 test-taking tips

Arrive early for the test. No last minute rushing.

Concentrate on what you know in the minutes before the test-not what you don't know. Keep a winning attitude.

Avoid "nervous conversations" with your friends just before the test.

Relax by breathing deeply. Remember you are well-prepared

Go into the exam room alert but calm.

Don't forget to go to the washroom. It's amazing how many students forget to do this.

Dont skip breakfast. Your brain needs fuel! You might even go for a run before an exam.

Gather all necessary materials the evening before the exam. Take two pens.

Wear your most comfortable clothes and shoes. If you are relaxed you will be able to concentrate.

Keep your ultimate goal in focus. The exam is a step towards it.

Be the first one into the exam room and sit in a good spot. Near the front is better.

Always put your full name on each sheet of paper. The reason for this is obvious.

Read the instructions twice. Underline key words.

Listen to all oral instructions carefully. They are important.

Ask for help if you don't understand the instructions. Do this right away!

Quickly look over the whole test. Make a quick budget of how you will use your time.

Jot down any mnemonics that you have created. This will boost your confidence.

Start with the easy questions first. Mark difficult and time consuming questions so you can do them later.

Watch out for "quick-sand" questions. These can keep you from finishing the test.

Read each question twice. Think before you answer.

Write neatly. You will get a better mark! Consider using an erasable pen.

Don't waste your time trying to remember something that is on the tip of your tongue. It will come to you later.

Don't forget to use diagrams, charts, and pictures in your answers. A picture is worth a thousand words.

Dont panic if others are busy writing and your not. Your thinking and organizing is likely more profitable than their writing. You are spending time to save time.

Don't be upset if other's finish before you. Use all the time. They probably don't know as much as you do!

Leave a little time in your budget to proofread your paper. Spelling does count!

Reward yourself on a job well done!

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Test Tips

Answer the easiest shortest questions first. This gives you the experience of success.

Nest answer the multiple choice, true/false, and fill-in-the-blank questions. Then proceed to short-answer and essay questions

Use memory techniques when you're stuck. If you recall on a certain point that is blocked, remember something else that's related

Pace yourself. watch the time; if you are stuck, move on.

Leave plenty of space between answers. You can use the extra space, if there's time, to add information

Look for answers in other test questions. A term, name, date or other fact that escapes you might appear in the test itself

In quick-answer questions, your fist instinct is usually the best. Avoid changing your answers unless you are sure the second is correct.

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Handling Test Anxiety

Many people get nervous before a test. it is normal to worry in a test situation. How ever, if you are worrying and nervousness are interfering with your ability to concentrate and think straight, you may be suffering from test anxiety.

Test anxiety can be helped! Here's how...

Be prepared for test by reviewing information well in advance. Waiting till the last minute to study will only make you more nervous.

Don't overemphasize the importance of any test. "If i don't pass this test i will fail the course and my life will be ruined." Instead say things like this to yourself: "This is only one of many test I'll take. i will stay calm and do the best i can."

Get a good night's sleep the night before the est. eat well on the day of the test.

Use you visualization strategy (picture yourself somewhere you find calming) to relax the night before the test.

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Memorable Hints

It is much easier to remember interesting, unusual things. Each time you study you can, ask: whats new about this? how can i use this information? how does it fit in with what i already know?

Link what you are trying to remember with something already in your head. use your senses, visual cues, key words, letter cues, alphabetical order cues, number cues, or rhymes.

Use cues only if it helps you

Divide what you are trying to remember into smaller parts

Repeat what you are trying to remember aloud instead of silently

Repeat what you are trying to remember two or three times during the day instead of two or three times in a row

When you want to remember a list, count the number of items so you are sure to get them all.

The night before a test, when you are in bed, read over the facts you need to remember just before you turn out the light. You'll be surprised how much stays in your brain!

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Efficient Text reading

Sweep 1: Preview the chapter

Previewing gives you the overview of what is included in the chapter.

Title: read the title and ask yourself what you already know about the title and how it fits in with what you have previously studied

introduction: read the introduction to the chapter and ask yourself what it is about (paraphrase aloud)

Headings/topics; subheading/subtopics: read each to gain a general idea of the content to be covered

pictures, maps, charts: look at each gain additional information concerning the chapter

Sweep 2: Read the study questions

Reading the questions gives you the purpose for reading and provides clues about what details the author thinks are important.

read the study questions at the end of each section, one section at a time

The study questions that begin with these words ask for details  (who, what, where, when, how, why)

Sweep 3: Really read the chapter

Use your reading comprehension strategies to read the chapter for the main ideas, details and meanings.

read the first heading/topic to understand the central theme

read the first paragraph to identify the main idea

after you have read on paragraph, highlight the main ideas and supporting details

highlight the vocabulary words and their meanings in a second colour. Look up unknown words

after each section paraphrase the main idea and details in your own words, if it is a long section paraphrase after each paragraph

as you read write the question numbers nest to the answers in the text so you can go back quickly and answer them

use a piece of paper to jot notes, definitions or key words

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Classroom Notes

Get down a written record for each class. Forgetting begins almost immediately.

Read in advance about the topic being discussed in class. This well allow you to ask intelligent questions about material in the text which isn't covered clearly.

Try to write down your notes in the following outline form: Main points are listed at the margin. Secondary points and supporting details are indented. More supporting details are indented further

Write down whatever is put down on the board. Note material, which is important for exams.

Don't hesitate to ask questions if certain points are confusing you.

Read over your notes that same day

Always write your notes in your own words. Putting ideas and information into your own words helps you to learn better.