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Mastering exams
Exams are a fact of life in college, but waiting
until the last minute to “cram” for
them doesn’t have to be. Staying up all night to study for an exam can
make you so tired that you end up missing questions on information you know.
Instead of staying up all night, stay on top of your classes with regular reviews
of your notes and assignments—and brush up your test-taking skills. Here
are a few tips that just might help you sleep well the night before your exam—and “ace” it
the next day!
Before the exam
| 1. |
Take good notes about what the professor tells you will be
covered on the exam and what kind of exam it will be, e.g.,
essay, multiple choice, true or false, combination. If your
professor doesn’t tell you, ask! |
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| 2. |
Organize your notes, texts, and assignments according to
the information you need to review for the exam. |
| 3. |
Develop a list of possible questions you would ask if you
were making up the exam and then try to answer them. |
| 4. |
Set aside time on your calendar to study for the exam. Depending
on your study habits and preferences, you may want to study
a little every day leading up to the exam or focus on it a
day or two before. If the latter, be sure to build in time
for breaks. You’ll retain the information better when
you’re not tired. |
| 5. |
Finish your studying the day before the exam—and think
positive! You’re well prepared to show what you’ve
learned. |
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During the exam
While taking the test, keep in mind:
| 1. |
Arrive early so you won’t feel stressed when you get there. Be
sure you have everything with you that you need, such as a pencil, pen,
and calculator. |
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| 2. |
Read the exam directions carefully before you start taking it. |
| 3. |
If you have time, look through the exam to see what types of questions
and topics are on it. This will help you budget your time. |
| 4. |
You don’t have to answer exam questions in order. You may want
to “warm up” with the
easy ones first and then tackle the harder or longer ones. |
| 5. |
If you’re unsure of the answer to a multiple-choice question,
try ruling out choices you know are wrong. The right one may then become
clear to you. If you go blank, skip the question and come back to it later. |
| 6. |
When writing an essay, make a few notes first to help you keep track
of points you want to make and in what order. Oh, and be sure the professor
can read your writing! |
| 7. |
Don't panic when other students start handing in their exams. Take the
time remaining to review your work and make sure you’ve answered
all the questions you can. Proofread your writing for spelling, grammar,
and punctuation. |
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After the exam
If your professor will be reviewing the exam in class, make plans to be there.
You’ll learn several things:
| 1. |
What you got right—yea! |
| 2. |
What you got wrong—valuable information for studying and improving
your grade in this class! |
| 3. |
What the professor looks for in exam answers—valuable information
for future test taking! |
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(Adapted from “Learning Skills” by Jim Ford, Jane
Knight, and Emily McDonald-Littleton, November 2001.)
Getting Help
As a scholarship winner, you may think you’re more likely to be a
tutor than hire a tutor. But as you work toward completing your basic requirements
and explore new subjects—outside your comfort areas—you may
find yourself struggling. If you’re having trouble, or even just
feel that you could do better, don’t be afraid to check out the tutoring
resources on your campus. Students who are reluctant to get help often
have the following misconceptions:
| 1. |
Tutoring is only for students who are failing a class: False.
Students who are failing or in danger of failing a class should
seek out a tutor, but all students regardless of their current
grades in class may want to seek out tutoring to try to improve
or maintain their grades. |
| 2. |
All tutoring costs money: False. There
are private tutors who cost money, but most college campuses have
free tutoring available. You may have to qualify financially to
take advantage of these services. |
| 3. |
If you are receiving an A in a class, you do not need
tutoring: False. Many A students would
not have that grade if they were not taking advantage of tutoring. |
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| 4. |
Tutors can be hard to find: False.
Tutors can come from a variety of sources. Teaching assistants
(TAs) often serve as tutors and most professors make themselves
available during office hours for questions and tutoring sessions. |
No matter what your academic ability, if you
find yourself with more questions than answers, ask for help! |
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