7.25 Winning Ways to Prepare for Tests and Pass Every School Exam
Preparing for tests, studying for midterms and taking final exams traditionally presents students a challenge. With so many things taking place before test time, there seems to be a rush of adrenaline that brings fear, stress and anxiety. I experienced these same symptoms, until I learned how to prepare for taking a test. Understanding how to prepare for test or exams is a vital academic skill that every student must develop.
Here are 7.25 very effective ways to prepare for and pass those ex-ams:
1. ASK THE INSTRUCTOR – When was the last time you just walked into your teacher’s office and asked, “What should I expect on the test? What material will be covered? Will the test be in essay format? What should I concentrate on when study-ing?” Sounds simple but many students miss this basic step. What’s the worst thing the teacher can say, I’m not telling?
2. LOOK UP PREVIOUS TESTS – I can assure you that what you are being tested on has been tested before. So check with your library or with students who have taken the class before to see if old exams are available. This can give you a general idea of what to expect. This should only be used for preparation – don’t rely heavily on test format.
3. MAKE YOUR OWN TEST – Put yourself in your Professor’s shoes and make up your OWN test. From everything your instructor has talked about, write down on paper ten questions you think would be great test questions, and then answer them.
4. REVIEW YOUR NOTES – Reread all highlighted sections of your text and notes. Don’t re-read the entire text, just highlighted areas that are also in your notes. If possi-ble, make up test questions from these highlighted notes as mentioned above. If you are still having challenges taking good notes, then rewrtire all of your notes on one sheet of paper to make notes-notes.
5. CALL A STUDY GROUP – Gather 5 people or less, form a circle and have a true “TEST PARTY”. One by one have each person ask a potential test question and indi-vidually answer the question. This will help you prepare your answers and see how oth-ers are answering the question. At the end of the party, discuss among your classmates all the correct answers and why.
6. GET A GOOD NIGHT SLEEP – Sleeping is so amazing. It refreshes the body and refreshes your mind to think stronger and more clearly. Check out my previous article, ‘Sleeping Your Way To Better Grades’ at my academic success blog to see why this step is so important to your academic success.
7. EAT LIGHTLY – This is really simple but really needed. Don’t bog your tummy down with greasy foods; eat something in the morning that is living (fruit vegetables, pure juices). This will help get your “motor” running. Similar to putting dirty gas in your car – get it?
7.25 HAVE A WINNING ATTITUDE – Missing this step alone has caused many stu-dents to fail their exams. However you envision yourself, that you will be. If your inner voice is saying, “You will fail,” then in most cases you will fail. As a cheerleader is to a football team, you must be to your attitude. After preparing and properly studying for the exam, cheer yourself up and tell yourself that you can Play YOUR “A” Game and ace this exam. I believe you can and YOU must believe you can.
Well there it is, some simple things you can do to pass those exams and tests. I would love to hear how you have done. Leave me a comment or email me at info@playingyouragame.com.
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Kantis Simmons is a college speaker, youth role model and author of Playing Your “A” Game. and 7.25 Secrets to Academic Success. As America’s #1 Academic Success expert, he impacts high school and college students world-wide with his speaking programs, information products, academic success blog and coaching programs. Kantis is acclaimed for receiving three college degrees where he didn’t pay a single penny to receive them (a recipient of about $400,000 in scholarship money). Trained as a research scientist, he has worked 10 years developing new products and solving corporations’ research problems, today he solves student academic problems. Visit www.KantisSimmons.com to see how his energy and “Keep It Real” style is contagious. He’s funny, energetic and his real life solutions will elevate every students’ thinking and academic status. He not only speaks academic success but has actually done it. See www.PlayingYourAgame.com to get access to his “A-Tips” and free “GamePlan” news-letter.
