Your Guide to Exams

Get ready Blue Devils, exam season is on the horizon. AP and IB exams take place in the next few weeks so I hope you’re already preparing for those long seated hours. This is the time of the year, whether you’re taking AP, IB, Regents, or in-class exams, it is important that the studying you do from here on out is beneficial to you. 

The most important step before you begin studying for any exam is to ask your teacher if they have any review material that you can use to study with. If they say no, or if they are already assigning review material for class, but you want more, then here’s how I suggest you start your study sessions.

The most helpful way to study for any test is to take practice tests. Many Regents exams from past years can be found online and printed out as well as the answers so that you can check your work afterward. AP, IB, and in-class exams may not be quite as accessible to students so further measures may need to be taken.

When learning vocabulary or important terms a helpful method is flashcards. This method may seem rudimentary, but in case you’ve never used them before, here’s how I do it. I write the vocabulary word or term on one side and the definition on the other side. This simple but effective method has helped many high school students brave the trenches (studying) and succeed in battle (pass exams). Once you can recite all the definitions without flipping the card, you’re ready to fight!

Just flashcards, on their own, may not always be enough. I like to make a terms and fact sheet for each unit that I am reviewing. This sheet should include everything that could be tested on for each unit. Important names, dates, or equations should be included with any helpful tips you have for yourself to remember facts. 

Good luck to everyone this exam season: I hope you find success with these methods or whatever other ways you prefer to study! Remember to strive for 85!