Test Taking Tips

  • Convert titles, headings and subheadings into questions. Attempting to answer those questions may help focus your reading.

  • Review; don’t memorize what you have read. Be sure you can explain and summarize the major points.

  • After 20 minutes, take a short break: Research has shown that students learn the most during the first and last ten minutes of any study session. 

  • Break it into smaller parts, if it seems overwhelming; break it into smaller parts.

  • “Students learn 10% of what they read, 20% of what they hear, 30% of what they see, 50% of what they see and hear, 70% of what is discussed with others, 80% of what they experience personally and 95% of what they teach someone else.”

  • Develop a timed plan when testing.

  • Multiple Choice: If two of the choices on a multiple-choice questions are similar or opposite, one of them is probably the correct answer.

  • Look for key words in True/False questions. Statements with always, never, every, all and none are usually false. Statements with usually, often, sometimes, most and many in them are usually true.

  • Study by predicting exam questions. Develop a list of main topics and turn then into questions, then answer them.

  • Repetition is the key to memorization.

  • Be an effective listener by focusing on content not delivery, remaining open-minded about a lecture topic and by noting the pattern used by the speaker in organizing your notes.

  • Combat procrastination by breaking large tasks into smaller ones.

  • Set up a reward system for completing your work (coffee break, movie, a new DVD or CD) to help you accomplish your short-term goals.

  • Habits take two weeks to create and two weeks to break. Complete a task one at a time, on time, and gain confidence in doing so.

  • Divide a piece of paper in two. Write the questions on the left side and the answers on the right side. Cover the answers with a blank piece of paper and write the answers again. Do this until all of the answers are correct.

  • When writing, consider the following: Find a subject you care about. Do not ramble and keep it simple. If you have the guts, cut. Sound like yourself and say what you mean to say.