Effective Exams Strategies
Effective exam strategies can help you achieve better grades and, in doing so, can also allow you to learn the material more efficiently with better retention. The way in which you study has a great deal to do with your academic success; this brochure will provide you with some general techniques that should help you on your way to more effective preparation.
SQ3R - A Model for Exam Preparation
The SQ3R method is a very effective studying method that will help you to better understand and retain the material you have to know. Before you get the hang of it, it may take more time to study using SQ3R but if you stick with it, it will become easier. The method involves five major steps:
1. Survey:
When you get your materials in front of you, scan through the chapters that you will be tested on. This enables you to get a broad view of the content areas covered and provides a framework in which to hang details or supporting ideas.
2. Question:
Generate questions to focus studying. Write exam questions that you think are important, while considering what information is being tested. Asking questions helps to prepare you for the material by piquing your curiosity. Exam questions don’t just ask you to recite back information you have learned. They often ask you to think about that info in several ways:
* Evaluate the information.
* Analyze information.
* Integrate one concept with another.
* Apply concept to different situations.
3. Read:
Read through all the materials, including class notes, text chapters and any handouts the professor has distributed. Read carefully, paying special attention to any underlined sections you may have marked.
4. Recite or Recall:
This is the most important part of studying. You want to memorize as much pertinent information as you can. Close the book or cover your notes and summarize the main points. Practice recalling important concepts and definitions.
5. Review:
Go back and review all the material again. This helps to fix the information in your long term memory. Now, you should be able to answer all the questions you posed to yourself. If you can’t, review again. Make sure you understand the concepts, don’t just memorize names and details.
Multiple Choice Exams
* For MCEs, it’s important to listen carefully to the
professor’s directions, if there is something you’re not clear about, ask for an explanation. Don’t lose points by misunderstanding what the questions are asking.
* Underline important words on the test like “compare” or “contrast”.
* Go through the entire exam before you begin, get a sense of the structure, and figure out where the hardest sections are. After that, answer all the questions you know best first. On MCEs, generally, two answers are correct, one is doubtful and one is flat out wrong. Your choice should be the best option as you see it.
* Try to keep it simple, if you know what the professor is driving at, go with the obvious choice.
* As you go through the test, mark the harder questions, so you know to go back to them. When you do, try to use any information you may have gleaned from the other questions to help you. Then, go over the test at least one more time, making sure the answers you’ve chosen are the most correct. If there is a separate answer sheet, make sure the answer you marked corresponds with the correct question.
Essay Exams
Keep these basic rules in mind:
* Understand the Question:
Once again, if you’re not sure, ask. With essays, it’s very important to have a grasp of what’s being asked.
* Do an “Information Dump”:
Look over the questions and write down all the specific points you can think of. Write down names, dates, statistics and any other pertinent info off the top of your head. This lets you free your mind of details, and should help you settle down. Do this for all the essays before you begin writing, so you have a head start on them.
* Do an Outline:
Before you begin to write, take a couple of minutes to plan out your answer. Make a brief outline of how you intend to use the points from your “information dump” towards your conclusion. This will streamline your thoughts and should help make your essay seamless.
* Be Concise:
On an essay exam, chances are you won’t have enough time to meander. Decide what your main points are and get right to them. Don’t waffle around and pad the essay with unnecessary words and paragraphs. Cut it to the bone. Avoid jargonish words, unless they naturally fit into the context of the exam.
* Write Carefully:
Always go through the exam after you’ve written it to check for spelling and grammar mistakes. Make your handwriting as legible as possible, so there is no confusion of your ideas.
* Read Through It:
Make sure the conclusion you reach is supported by the
information you write. Your introduction should either be a question that the conclusion answers, or a statement that the conclusion backs up. If they don’t jibe, you might have to do some rewriting. Don’t panic, the professor should provide you with plenty of time for you to write a tight, well planned essay.
General Tips
* Know What to Expect
Get all the information you can about the test before you study. Find out what type of test (MCE, essay, short answer, etc.) it will be and what material it will cover. You should also know how specific the test will be. Is it a general concept test, or one looking for particular names, dates and numbers?
* Review Often:
It’s a good idea to review your class notes right after you’ve written them and then again, just before the next class. Make sure you understand the concepts you’ve illustrated.
* Exam Review:
Start studying for the exam early. Give yourself a week before taking it, so you can balance your studying with your other work. If you have a large amount of material to cover, try dividing it into smaller chunks and start studying the most difficult sections first. Go over that material just before the test, so it’s fresh in your mind. To fix it in your memory, practice recalling the information aloud or try explaining it to someone else.
* Study For Main Ideas:
Learning main ideas first gives you a framework in which to hang supporting ideas and details. Study to recall material, not just for recognition; prepare as if the test were short answer, requiring an understanding of the material in addition to memorization.
* Be Well Rested:
Generally, it’s not advisable to stay up all night cramming. Learning diminishes with fatigue and you’ll think more clearly if you’re rested. If you do stay up late, give yourself frequent breaks to keep your mind alert.
* Stay Relaxed:
Excessive anxiety will reduce your ability to think clearly. Get to your class early and use those minutes to unwind. Chances are, if you have given yourself adequate preparation, you’ll feel better about the test before you take it.
Source:
http://www.gmu.edu/gmu/personal/exam.html
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