Do NOT try to write down everything the teacher says.
Write down specific information ..... names, dates, events, important
ideas or ............ nouns, adjectives, verbs.
Write down information the teacher repeats, writes on the board or
overhead, or says "This is important", "You need to remember
this", "This will be on the test", etc.
If you don't know whether to write it down or not
ASK THE TEACHER.
Write so you can read your notes three days later.
Leave white space on the page where you take your notes.
Write your notes in an brief organized format (outline format or
numbered lists are good).
Test Taking Skills
The Night Before ...
Do Not wait until 10:00 pm to start studying!
Read your textbook with pencil in hand.
Staring at the page of a book is not studying ... its STARING.
Use a hi-lighter or write down notes. Use headings, sub-headings,
and anything printed in bold or italics to guide you through your note taking process while you read.
Try not to cram. It may seem to help for that test, but you forget
a lot by the time you have to take cumulative midterms or finals.
Go to bed at a reasonable time.
The Day of the Test ....
Get up and get moving.
The brain must have time to wake up and get the blood flowing
in order for you to be able to think by test time.
Eat some protein for breakfast.
Wear comfortable clothing.
During the Test ......
If you feel really nervous take a moment when you are handed
your test to take and exhale a very deep breath. It clears
the head and steadies the nerves.
READ THE DIRECTIONS. If your not sure about any direction
ASK THE TEACHER.
Don't start writing or answering questions until you first skim the
test. Look for what types of questions (multiple choice, short
answer, matching, essay) are on the test and whether any
questions count more than others.
Be aware that some questions offer clues to answers of other test questions.
The first time you go through your test answer all the easy
questions . Put a mark next to the questions about which
your not sure of the answers.
The next pass through your test concentrate on the hard questions.
Manage your time carefully.
Don't spend too much time on any one question. Remember that
for most tests its not which question you get right but how
many questions you get right (unless the questions are weighted).
Do not cheat. Other people misread test items, fail to study and
are not reliable. Rely on your own abilities and good
study habits. Not only is cheating wrong but its risky!
It will hurt you and whoever you cheat off of in both
the short and long run.
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