Test Strategies & Tips
Preparing for an upcoming test can be stressful. It is especially challenging if you are uncomfortable or unfamiliar with the material, feeling pressure in other areas of your life, are short on time, or have any kind of testing anxiety. Unfortunately, this is all too common among students, but we have some tips and strategies to help you succeed on any exam you take—now and in the future!!
TOP 10 STRATEGIES & TIPS FROM TRIVIUM TEST PREP
Intentional planning can make all the difference in the effectiveness of your study habits. Rather than just picking up the material and starting at the beginning, look first at the big picture. Understand the test as a whole, and then drill down into each part of it individually. Make a plan from the beginning that fits with your schedule and study style so you don't feel rushed or stressed.
1. UNDERSTAND WHICH MATERIAL YOU WILL BE TESTED ON
All too often, students find themselves mired in the details of something that doesn't even appear on the test. By understanding which material will be tested, you can place your focus on the most critical areas. This reduces the "clutter" in your mind and prevents you from reviewing information that isn't relevant.
2. UNDERSTAND THE TYPES OF QUESTIONS ON THETEST
Knowing the types of questions that will be on the test can help you focus on how in depth you need to know each section of the material. Some tests are designed to try to trick or confuse you with the wording. Language tricks, such as the use of double negatives, can make you feel off balance when trying to answer. BUT, if you know these are coming, you can sort through the weeds to find the heart of the question. I cannot say that I don't dislike those questions, but they exist.
3. USE THE STUDY METHOD THAT WORKS FOR YOU
There are so many different ways to study! Write it all down, make flash cards, be quizzed out loud, read and reread the material…. Each method has its pros and cons, but not every method is going to work for you. Discover what kind of learner you are: visual, audio, kinesthetic, etc. Then utilize several strategies within that method to help the material stick. Remember: just because flash cards work for your classmate, doesn't mean that's the best way for YOU to learn.
4. START SMALL
Don't try to study the entire test on the first day. If the material is unfamiliar or challenging, it will quickly feel overwhelming and you'll retain less information. Break it up into chunks and focus on one thing at a time. This seems pretty obvious when you say it, but it is harder to put into practice than it sounds. Look at the big picture first; determine what needs to be studied and how much of each subject. Then make a plan that makes sense to you.
5. SET GOALS & MIX IT UP
Chances are, you love to check things off as DONE! So, make a list of what you need to study. Place an easy-for-you topic between more challenging topics to give yourself a mental break and sense of accomplishment. Include really small goals that you can check off if you start feeling defeated or frustrated. Sometimes that mental reset of "I did it!" can be enough to get you moving again
6. THE DAY BEFORE
This is not the day to start studying. This is the day to go over the "big picture" of the exam. Review all the items you have identified as important, go over any challenging areas, and make sure you understand the types of questions you will be asked.
7. THE NIGHT BEFORE
Have everything laid out and prepared to go ahead of time: Do you need to bring pencils, calculators, paper, etc? Have you looked at the specific rules for your testing center? Be sure that everything you need is out and ready to go so that you can’t forget it. Drink plenty of water so you're hydrated. Eat a healthy dinner and get a restful night of sleep. (This last one might seem obvious, but you'd be surprised at how being intentional about this routine can greatly affect the next day.) If your testing center allows you to bring food, plan your healthy snacks and meals for the test day now - trying to figure out what to eat when you're already worried about an exam is miserable.
8. TEST DAY
Follow your normal routine. If you regularly have coffee, have it! If you don't regularly have coffee, today is not the day to start. Changing your caffeine routine can negatively affect your focus. Eat a balanced breakfast and, if your test site allows them, don’t forget the healthy snacks and meals that you planned the night before. This is especially important if it is an afternoon or evening test. By correctly balancing your intake of protein, carbs, and fats (plus fruits and veggies!) you can prepare your body to have enough energy to make it through the day without feeling hungry, overly full, or just generally uncomfortable. (This is also not the day to experiment with new foods!)
9. READ THE QUESTIONS CAREFULLY
Many questions are written to trick you. Determine exactly what the question is asking. Are there double negatives? Cancel them out and get to the real question. Does it want to know what IS or what is NOT? Read all of the answers fully, and then read the question again. For written responses: Does your answer match what has actually been asked of you? For math: Did you look at the sign? Is it positive or negative? Do you have to use order of operations, show your work, or circle the correct answer?
10. UNKNOWN ANSWERS
Finally, if you come across a question and don't know the answer, you have a couple of options. Mark it and come back - it is possible that another question will trigger your memory. If you've already done that and you still can't answer it, make the best educated guess. Fully understand the question, eliminate obvious wrong answers, then choose to the best of your ability.
There is no perfect answer for how you should study; everyone is different. Experiment with various techniques to find what makes the most sense for you. The most important thing is to start early. Waiting too late can make studying so much harder because your brain will be half focused on the fact that you just don't have enough time. Intentional planning can make a huge difference in how effective your studying will be.