While much of your learning will occur in the classroom, a good student recognizes the importance of studying outside of the classroom to process information and prepare for specific types of assessments. Students should rely on developing good everyday habits for note taking and paying attention in class as this will make preparing for assessments substantially easier. There are specific techniques that can help students to prepare for different types of assessments.

Ask Yourself:  What type of assessment is being given?

• 1. Time: Is this an in-class or out of class assessment? (What are the time restraints for producing the work that will be turned in)

  2. Content: What are the parameters for the content of the assessment? (Unit test, cumulative over the trimester, a specific book, is outside research permitted etc.)

  3. Format: What form will the assessment take? (Is this an essay, multiple choice test, word problem quiz, presentation)

Consider:  Assessments are designed to gauge a student's understanding of the material and skills that have been taught in a given period. Lectures, discussions and activities are designed to help students understand this material and can be relied on to infer what type of question or information will be graded on a particular assessment.

• 1. Review key ideas or concepts (What were the essential questions for a unit)

  2. What supporting examples were discussed (Facts or Data)

  3. How do the specific examples support the main ideas of the unit (Relevance or Analysis)

• Manage your time effectively - avoid marathon study sessions the night before an assessment, a little bit each day will help ensure overall retention of the material and reduce stress when an assessment comes up.  

• Keep track of your schedule- include the dates for all upcoming assignments to ensure time for preparation and to avoid panic and stress when assessments take place.

• Rely on the good note-taking habits that you have developed to ensure you have appropriate study materials to work from when preparing for an assessment.

• Organize notes and identify the areas where you struggle the most. Do not waste time rewriting notes or reviewing material that you already know.

• Designate a specific study area that is repeatedly used only for studying, this will help to routinely get in the right mindset for focusing on studying.

• Remove all distractions from their study area-This means turning off cell phones, closing unnecessary programs and tabs, and switching the TV off.  Music played at a low volume (without lyrics) may help you to concentrate.

• Incorporate the type of assessment into your study routine-  For example, if the assessment is completing equations, then you should include performing practice equations in your studying.