Surviving the Big Test: Successful and Effective Study and Major Test Preparation Techniques

1. Surviving the Big Test:Successful and Effective Study and Major Test Preparation Techniques J. Inglis (2006) rev. 2009

2. MYTHS AND FACTS ABOUT EXAM PREPARATION MYTH: Only smart students do well on major tests and examinations. FACT: Well prepared students are successful on examinations – regardless of their mark going into the evaluation. This is why the successful students all year often do better – because they have the process and dedication in their preparation. MYTH: Cramming is an effective way to prepare. FACT: Stress causes student’s brains to function at a lower level. In fact the stress associated with upcoming (next day) exams make the brain up to 80% less effective at processing and retaining information. MYTH: I study best in groups with my friends. FACT: While group work has its advantages, in early stages of exam preparation it serves no more as a distraction. Unless there is a decent level of knowledge shared between group members, this method rapidly degrades into a social event with no work being done.

3. MYTHS AND FACTS ABOUT EXAM PREPARATION MYTH: I study late before my test / exams as it helps me learn the material better. FACT: The most important thing before an exam / test is a good night’s rest – especially those subjects that require analytical thinking (math / science etc.). Most students will lose more marks that they gain when lacking sleep – the tendency for silly mistakes rises dramatically. MYTH: I can successfully study just by reading over my notes / textbook. FACT: Boys learn best by “doing”. This is why you remember things that you have done better than what you have heard. The best way to study is through ACTIVE STUDY. That is as you read and review your notes, you HANDWRITE new ones that are in your own words. Memorizing other notes from books does not allow you to understand – as such when coming into an exam, unless the question is asking for a direct quote you will not provide a good answer. MYTH: The best way to study is to memorize all of my notes. FACT: While knowledge is important, memorizing all data will not ensure that you will do well. Many high school courses ask you to apply what you know in a different setting (i.e. think), unless you understand what you are reading, you will not be successful at applying these concepts.

4. IN PREPARATION FOR STUDYING… Download the topic list and review material immediately – i.e. as soon as they are posted. Seeing what the evaluation will cover is the most important thing in your preparation to ensure that you do not waste time studying things that you do not need to know. Gather any other review handouts (i.e. questions) and keep them in your study notes binder so you do not lose them. Review questions should be done in the last steps of exam preparation – to test your knowledge with relevant questions. Go prepared to the review classes – studying should start BEFORE they start next week. Prepare a list of questions that you need to be addressed. Also realize that teachers are always available to answer your questions. Go see the immediately if you have problems. Realize that major tests and exams are a large component of you final grade. They MUST receive equal if not more attention that your other assignments. Schedule your time carefully to prepare and STICK WITH IT.

5. STUDY ENVIRONMENT AND TECHNIQUES You must make an area that is free of distractions. This includes web browsers, MSN, Email etc. Often these results in you diverting your attention from the task at hand and you CANNOT afford to waste time. Follow the 4/5 R’s: Re-Organize Read Rewrite Revise / Review

6. RE-ORGANIZE You must make sure that all of your notes are in order and that you are not missing anything. For this, carefully go over the daybook / topic guide for the course and make sure that you binder is complete. Remember that if you are missing any notes, you could be missing important parts which may be on the examination. READ & RE-WRITE As mentioned before, you must summarize all of your notes in your own words – not those that the teacher / text author has written. In writing your notes you force your brain to process information rather than just browsing over them. This “ACTIVE LEARNING” is what will help you remember the topics. Make sure that you focus on those topic / units in an appropriate fashion – to get this, look at you your exam overview sheet:

7. REVISE Now that you have summarized your notes you can use this to consolidate your understanding. Remember that you and you alone should prepare you own summary notes. Using others will not be helpful as they were completed in their own words in a way that they, not you, understand. Use simple aids to help you understand and help you assimilate information as well link it to other topics. Such aids include: Anagrams(i.e. ROYGBIV for the light spectrum, IPMAT for Mitosis etc.) Diagrams and Mind Mapping(Inspiration or Like)(Hugely helpful for you to associate topics with one another) Look for Patterns(Often there are similarities between concepts – identify them and you will see that learning the material becomes easier) REVIEW At this point you can study with partners for a last step review. As long as you remain focused, partners can be very helpful now as both of you have solid understandings of the concepts and can help one another in areas where you find troubles. Also, review questions can be helpful here. This will give you an idea what to expect on the exam as well as test your knowledge.