Exam Day: Survival Tips

Test-Taking

Part 3

Identify key words.

This helps you focus on the main idea of challenging questions.

Rephrase difficult questions.

To understand questions better, rewrite them in your own words. Be careful not to change the meaning.

Organize your thoughts before you write.

Take time to organize your responses to short-answer and essay questions. You’ll reduce the time you need to revise.

Write neatly.

Be sure you don’t lose points on answers the teacher can read.

Use all the time you’re given.

If you finish early, don’t leave. Use the extra time to proofread and review your answers.

CHOOSE THE RIGHT!!!

Exam Day: Survival Tips

Test-Taking

Part 1

http://www.collegeboard.com/student/plan/boost-your-skills/10296.html

Essential Test-Taking Advice

Try out these strategies while you’re still in high school, and by the time you get to college, you’ll be a test-taking expert.

Before the Test

Eat well.

Studies show that you need good nutrition to concentrate and perform your best.

Bring the right supplies.

Bring your pencils, erasers, pens, rulers, compasses, calculators or whatever else you need on test day.

Review the whole test before you start.

See how many sections and what types of questions are on the test. Determine how much time to allow for completing each section.

CHOOSE THE RIGHT!!!

SQ3R

SQ3R=Survey-Question-Read-Recite-Review

Recite

At the end of each section, look up from the text and in your own words recite an answer to your questions for that section. Then write down your answer. Be sure to provide examples that support it.

Now repeat the Question, Read and Recite steps for each section of the chapter. First ask a question for the next section. Then read to find the answer. Finally, recite the answer in your own words and jot it down. The written questions and answers can help you study in the future.

Review

After completing the chapter, review your notes. Identify the main points by looking for the most important ideas in each section. Recite, or write, a brief summary of the assignment.

Review your study notes every week to help you remember the information. When it’s time to prepare for your tests, you’ll find you’ve created an invaluable study guide.

CHOOSE THE RIGHT!!!

SQ3R

SQ3R=Survey-Question-Read-Recite-Review

Question

As you survey the text, ask a question for each section. Ask what, why, how, when, who, and where questions as they relate to the content. Here’s how you can create questions:

·        Turn the title, headings or subheadings into questions.

·        Rewrite the questions at the end of the chapter or after each subheading in your own words.

Write down your questions. Questions help you pay attention, understands the text better and recall the information more easily later on.

Read

Read one section of the chapter at a time, actively looking for an answer to your question for that section. Pay attention to bold and italicized text that authors use to make important points.

Be sure to review everything in the section, including tables, graphs and illustrations—these features can communicate an idea more powerfully than written text.

CHOOSE THE RIGHT!!!

SQ3R

SQ3R:  A Great Reading and Studying Technique

http://www.collegeboard.com/student/plan/college-success/26666.html

Improve Your Study Skills

SQ3R stands for

Survey

Question

Read

Recite

Review

It is a proven technique to sharpen your study skills.

In college, you’ll be required to do lots of reading. You’ll often have to complete reading assignments in several different books for several different courses at the same time.

SQ3R helps make reading and studying purposeful and effective, so that you see your time most efficiently. Here’s how this strategy works.

Survey

Let’s say you assignment is to read one chapter. First, get an idea of what the chapter is about by reviewing the highlights:

·        Read the title, headings and subheadings.

·        Notice words that are italicized or bold.

·        Look at charts, graphs, pictures, maps, and other visual material.

·        Read captions.

·        Read the very beginning and end of the chapter.

CHOOSE THE RIGHT!!!

Note-Taking Strategies

Part 4

http://www.collegeboard.com/student/plan/college-success/955.html

For Review

Once you’ve done all the above, you’ll find you’ve created your own personalized study guide. Cover the main section of the page and use the key words and questions in the left margin as a quiz.

Stick to It

Review your notes the day you take them and all your notes once a week. That way, you won’t need to study as much when it’s test time.

You’ve been doing the work all along. Try out the Cornell system, but if it doesn’t work for you, experiment with other methods. Ask your classmates how they take notes or ask a teacher for advice. Taking good notes requires practice, like any other skill. And the more you work at it now, the more prepared you’ll be to take notes in college.

CHOOSE THE RIGHT!!!

10 Time Management Tips for Students

Tips 5-10

Tip 5. Review Your Notes Every Day.

Reviewing helps you reinforce what you’ve learned, so you need less time to study before a test. You’ll also be ready if you get called on in class or have to take a pop quiz.

Tip 6. Get a Good Night’s Sleep.

Your brain needs rest to perform at its peak. Lack of sleep makes the day seem longer and your tasks seem difficult.

Tip 7. Communicate Your Schedule to Others.

If phone calls or text messages are proving to be a distraction, tell your friends that you are only available at certain times of the day and not to expect a response at other times.

Tip 8.  Become a Taskmaster.

Give yourself a time budget and plan your activities accordingly. Figure out how much free time you have each week before you add any commitments.

Tip 9. Don’t Waste Time Agonizing.

Instead of agonizing and procrastinating, just do it. Wasting an entire evening worrying about something that you’re supposed to be doing is not productive, and can increase your stress.

Tip 10. Determine Your Priorities.

You can’t do everything at once. Establish the importance of each item. Then set realistic goals that are attainable.

CHOOSE THE RIGHT!!!

Dropbox