Midterms

1. Midterms The Insider Information

2. TOOLS for Midterms • 5 easy steps to acing your mid-terms; an overview of important aspects • Try to relax • Outline • Organization • Long-term Studying • Sleep

3. What Midterms Are • - A midterm is a comprehensive test of everything covered in first semester • - Not as specific as previous tests • - Focuses on general concepts and most important points • - On the report card, midterms have their own column • - Each quarter grade is counted twice and the midterm counted once to get first semester grade • - So, Q1+ Q1+ Q2+ Q2+ M /5 =First Semester Grade

4. What Midterms Are • - Midterms do affect your grades • - If they’re higher than quarter grades they can raise final grade • - If they’re the same as quarter grades have no effect • - If they’re lower than quarter grades they can lower final • - Schedule of tests can be found on calendar • - School goes from 8:00 to 11:15 • - No homeroom, go directly to first exam classroom • - Have 15 minute break to eat and then relax

5. What to Study -Textbook notes/highlighted points - Reading all of the material in your text can be very overwhelming! (don’t do this!) • Studying old tests and quizzes is definitely helpful • Some teachers copy and paste questions • Many teachers base their midterm questions off of similar material, or question types. - Class notes are the most important study material

6. What to Study(Teacher Sheet) • Teachers will hand out sheets to students outlining topics and chapters to be covered on the exam • Might also include important tests, quizzes, and homework assignments that should be reviewed • May include types of questions that will be on the exam such as multiple choice, fill-in, short answer, concept map, or essay questions • Study guide: try to complete it if given one

7. Subject Specifics English - symbols, themes, and motifs of each book read are important Math - try to create a practice test / practice problems to solve on your own, make flashcards for rules and formulas, or practice problems online (Glencoe) Biology - review processes and cycles, make concept maps on Inspiration, vocabulary Languages - vocabulary and grammar, practice reading and writing Const Foundations -Know how a bill becomes a law-Know the different terms of lawmakers and the president-vocabulary

8. What Materials to use • - PowerPoint presentations - very useful, especially for biology! • - Try to take a small white board and marker to draw the different process (cellular respiration, photosynthesis, etc…) • -Concept maps are useful for hitting major topics. • - Flashcards for vocabulary, dates, concepts • - Punch hole in corner and put them on binder ring • -As you study a chapter in a book, it helps to create a small outline of it • Print it out during Christmas break and study it later on • Teacher-given rubric of what to expect on the exam

9. When to Study • Christmas break: begin studying • Atmosphere is relaxed • Family members can easily quiz you on different topics • Friends may be available to get together for study groups • Once you return to school, things get hectic • Make sure to bring home all books, notes, and other study materials over break • Take a break from studying for Christmas Eve/Day • All major studying should be done at least 2 weeks before the exam • The last few days before the exam, review what you’ve studied and you will be ready to take your exam

10. Organization and Scheduling • Organizing is the first step to taking midterms! • Once organization is completed, make a study schedule • Scheduling study time helps to allot time to studying and to stay on task • Study continually during set study period • Example schedule: Day 1: study A day classes Day 2: study B day classes Day 3: study A day classes, etc. • Dedicate the most time to trouble subjects but don’t breeze by easy ones • Commit to one or two chapters of each subject for each time you study • Do not try to study an entire semester of material at once!

11. General Study/ Memory Tips • Mnemonic Devices - simple words, phrases, or songs that help to prompt your memory • Extremely helpful, especially if you are the kind of person that experiences sudden blanks in the middle of tests • Study groups (with other students) • Also extremely helpful. Important especially if you have holes in your notes. • Take turns explaining different concepts to each other, checking whether each other is correct or not. • Stay on task! • Parental Quizzing • Ask a parent to quiz you on previous multiple choice questions, vocabulary, etc. • Relax, if you are stressed out then you won’t be able to remember as much.

12. Dealing With Stress • Take breaks • 45/15 study method • Study for 45 minutes, then take an ACTIVE break for 15 minutes (take a walk, do a little dance, eat a snack, whatever you enjoy) • Don’t just nap, watch TV, or go online • Don’t bring your notes with you during your break-it has to be a FULL break • Don’t study for really long periods of time without a break • You will overwork yourself • You will be more tired • You won’t absorb the information you’re studying • Less productive and wastes time

13. Dealing With Stress • Try to do 1 fun thing over the weekend before midterms • Watch an episode of a favorite TV show or movie • Eat a hot fudge sundae • Listen to your favorite CD • Don’t do too many long fun activities • Will stress you out more and you won’t have enough time to study sufficiently • Make sure you study in advance • You’re 85% more likely to remember the information if you don’t cram • You won’t have to scramble to study and learn everything the night before if you start over Christmas break • Make sure you understand everything • If not, go to a teacher for help when classes resume • Write down specific questions while studying • Do not go to teacher and say “I don’t get it” without an explanation as to what you don’t understand

14. Dealing With Stress • Keep organized • Go over all of your notes to make sure they’re complete and in order • Write down any questions you have for the teacher • Make sure you know what’s going to be on the midterm • Use teacher-given exam outline • Go to teachers to make sure you’re studying the right material and that you’re not leaving out sections or topics you need to study, if unsure of what to study • Make your own detailed outline of what will be on the midterm • Accordion Folder - can keep all tests and quizzes and homework assignments in there • Keep your papers from year to year • Might need them later on • Math, science, and languages - especially important because these subjects build off of each other

15. If You’re Stressing • Don’t try to cram • Stay calm • Study at a pace and place that are good for you • Try studying an easier subject or an easier section for a certain subject • Will help you to become less stressed • Will be able to understand and remember what you’re studying • Take a break • *Don’t take more than a 15-30 minute break or you’ll become more stressed • Don’t sacrifice sleep! • Sleep is very important-if you don’t sleep, you won’t remember what you’ve studied • If you’ve been studying over Christmas break and the preceding weeks before midterms, you’ll be fine

16. If You’re Stressing • Eat a snack • Something healthy: will help to re-energize you • Crackers • Nuts • Fruit • Special treat or candy: will make you happier • Chocolate • Popcorn • Cookies • Favorite candy • Make sure you’re studying somewhere where you’re not being distracted • Have a specific room for studying where it’s quiet and comfortable

17. What to do on Test Day • Get a good night’s sleep • Not just on test day, but for the entire week before • Just the night before doesn’t help • Don’t stay up cramming, just review then relax • Eat a good breakfast and buy/bring something for break to keep energy up • Be prepared for the exam with all materials needed (calculator, pens, pencils, loose-leaf, etc.) • Get to school early • Before the exam take a deep breath and focus yourself • If you’ve studied you’ll be fine, don’t let stress mess you up

18. Closing Notes: • Breathe and relax!! • Get started early • You will do fine 