Tactics for Test Preparation

TACTIC ONE: Plan an overall strategy for the exam (s).

• Survey what you need to know for the exam:
• How much material from your readings and how much from your notes?
• How do the notes, the text, and the supplementary readings relate?
• How much weight will be given to each on the exam?
• How much of the material do you already know?
• Write down definitions, major points, theories, formulas, etc.
• Estimate how much study time you will have for the exam.
• Find out what form the exam will be.Review flash cards, outlines, and summaries.

taCTIC TWO: Plan your study time for the exam(s).

• Sketch a rough calendar of the weeks, days, and hours remaining before each exam.
• Plot a chart of the hours actually available for study.
• Realistically apportion your test preparation task into these hours using the following techniques for scheduling:
• Break large tasks into more workable sub-tasks.
• Set up a specific time for each.
• Do your hard studying first and then reward yourself with the easier study tasks.
• Use odd times, such as waiting in the doctor’s office, to recall information.
• Vary your study tasks and topics during lengthy study periods.
• Summarize your history notes, and then review your science problems.
• Take brief fun breaks. A suggested time length would be 5-15 mins.

TACTIC THREE: Know what the instructor is emphasizing and what you are expected to know.

• Do everything you can to find this pertinent information.
• In class, be attentive to key issues and approaches to the subject matter.
• Ask the instructor what you are expected to know, what type of test will be given, and whether there is a penalty for guessing.
• Talk to students who have had the instructor, and ask what kinds of tests he/she gives.
• In lectures, watch for test questions by observing what the instructor says as well as how he/she says it.
• If available, ask for copies of old tests from the professor, the library, or student center files. After you have gathered your information, you can formulate a base for your preparation.

TACTIC FOUR: Predict and compose test questions before your exam.

• Try to see the subject matter from your instructor’s perspective. 
• For essay exams, prepare several essay type questions. 
• Learn the important points needed to answer each essay question.
• For problem-solving questions, design representative problems and prepare solutions. 
• For true-false, multiple choice, and fill-in-the-blank questions, study by listing facts and bits of information around a particular theme or concept.
• Make up questions and learn the answers. 
• Review the educated guessing pamphlet online or in the Tutorial Center.
• Practice, practice, practice. 

TACTIC FIVE: Read and study unread material.

• Be cautious about time spent on unread material. 
• Gather all material for the exam together and planned the overall approach, first.
• Use the following guides for unread material:
• Survey the material and then divide it into parts for more intensive study.
• Set time limits for each part. 
• Stay within the time limits you set even if you must skim key sentences only.
• Pace yourself by moving a pencil down the page as you read.
• As you finish a page or part, recall the material immediately.
• Say it aloud at times. 

TACTIC SIX: Study and Review actively.

• Review chapter sub-headings and topic sentences and recall the important points.
• Recite, write, say, hear, and visualize them.
• Reinforce the important points by using as many senses as possible.
• Manage your review time so that you create daily and weekly reviews.
• Use daily reviews to scan your notes and the sections you underline in your book.
• Plan weekly reviews for assigned readings, lecture notes, summary sheets, and note cards. 
• Study the most difficult material when you are most alert. 
• Organize a study group.