Great Study Techniques

1. Great Study Techniques Did you know???? Some Foods aid in the Learning Process Milk, nuts, seeds, rice and oats are protein rich meals that release natural memory enhancers called CCKs. CCKs enhance the neuro-transmitters associated with memory. better connections = better comprehension 2. Learn to take great notes organized highlight or underline important terms or concepts write questions in the margins 3. Make Your Own Study Guides Ask Why? If the topic is “Cuneiform” Ask “Why was cuneiform invented by ancient Sumerians. make index cards, flip-books and practice tests draw a picture, make a rhyme or song for difficult concept

2. Strategies for Multiple Choice Questions A multiple choice question consists of a stem (question) and a set of alternatives (choices). One of the alternatives correctly answers the question or completes the sentence. 1. Read the stem (question) carefully and try the answer the question before looking at the alternatives (choices) 2. Look for key words in the stem they may direct you to the correct alternative (choice) underline key words. 3. Read each alternative with the stem. Don’t make your final decision on the correct answer until you have read all of the alternatives. 4. Eliminate alternatives that you know are wrong. Cross them out on your answer booklet.

3. *Absolute words such as: all, never, always, every, always, only often signal an incorrect alternative Ex: Over hundreds of years the Bantu people migrated from West Africa to a. all of North Africa b. East and South Africa c. South and Southwest Asia d. every continent except Antarctica correct answer: b. East and South Africa

4. Test Taking Strategies for Political Cartoons Political cartoons use a combination of words and images to express point of view on political issues. Primary sources-reflect opinions of the time

5. 1. Identify the subject of the cartoon • Titles and captions often provides clues to the subject matter 2. Use labels to identify the people, places and events in the cartoon (you can write on the cartoon in your test booklet) 3. Note when and where the cartoon was published • information on the people, places and events 4. Identify important symbols or ideas. 5. Analyze the point of view presented in the cartoon. • The use of a caricature – often signals how the cartoonist feels 6. Interpret the cartoonist’s message

6. 4. Read for reinforcement and future needs • 10 minutes/day over your notes creates neural connections for future retrieval • The more times you read something, the more you reinforce the learning of ideas. 5. Relax to learn, go into exile • Set aside a particular place to study that is free of distractions- shut off cell phones, pagers, TV and exile family and friends during your study period • Bothered by silence? Light classical music at a low volume has been shown to aid concentration 6. Budget your study time • Although you shouldn’t ignore any material, allocate study time in the same ratio that topics may appear on the test. Study 10 minutes each day. Don’t cram the night before a big test. 7. Study with a partner- form a study group

7. Great Test Testing Techniques 1.Take a deep breath and relax. 2. Read your directions carefully. If you are unsure on a direction ask questions to clarify. 3. Don’t read into a question. Stick to the question as written. 4. Read the question and all the choices twice before answering the question. • If you don’t know the right answer, leave it blank and go on to the next question. • They may provide clues to answer the question. • If later, you still can’t answer the question… Guess

8. 3. Look for hidden clues • eliminate one or two of the answers- 50/50 chance 4. First, mark your answers on the test booklet. • Next, mark them on the answer sheet. 5.Watch the clock • Don’t get bogged down trying answer a single question worth 2 points at the expense of 10 other questions. 6. Trust your instincts! • Subconsciously, you retain some of your knowledge • On questions you aren’t really sure about trust your basic instincts. • Your first impression is usually correct.