Identify the format of the test: Make sure that you have found where your teacher has posted the following information or ask for clarification.

• • What is the structure? (multiple choice, essay, problems solving, etc.)

  • How much time is allowed?

  • What material will be covered? This is not the same as asking what questions are on the test but rather what topics from what has been covered in class and the readings will be the focus.

  • Review old tests to familiarize yourself with the format and the teacher’s style to help predict what types of questions might be asked, straight identification or compare & contrast etc.  

Several days in advance,  identify what you need to do in order to be prepared for the upcoming assignment. This might include:

• • • • gathering missing notes

      • rereading a specific text you didn’t do earlier

      • rereading something you found difficult

      • reviewing your notes and learning the material

Assign times to do the tasks above - do not leave it all to the night before.

• Focus your studying on the material that you expect to be covered most heavily on the test an on areas that you struggled the most in the past.

• Do not spend time rewriting or rereading notes on a topic that you know

• Review material - make sure that you are utilizing all relevant resources: notes, online resources provided by your teacher (powerpoints), readings both in class and out of class texts, key term lists, organizers etc.

• Practice - based on the type of questions that you expect find on the test create or find sample problems/questions to work through.

• Study Sessions - studying with others can be a very valuable tool, the key is to stay on task. This is an opportunity to ask each other questions, clarify content and practice answering.

• Get a good night's sleep the night before. Staying up all night to cram is counterproductive, you might end up doing worse on the test due to exhaustion.

• Approach the test with a positive and confident attitude. You have done the work ahead of time so the test should not cause additional stress.

• Focus on what you know, if there is a question that complete stumps you, don’t dwell on it, move to the next and come back to it later.

• When you receive the test if there are any facts, equations etc that you are worried about forgetting, immediately write them down.

• Look over the entire test first before starting. This will help you organize your time to ensure you get through all of the questions.

• Take your time and read each question carefully.