Exams, Tests and Quizzes: 7 Practical Ways to Better Prepare for Academic Examinations

Atlanta Writers Group

Feature Article – April 2007

Exams, Tests and Quizzes: 6 Practical Ways to Better Prepare for Academic Examinations

Have you ever been stuck when studying for tests? Have you had challenges preparing for the weekly quiz? Don't know where to start, or how to go about preparing for those final exams? Here are some simple ways to be better prepared on school tests, exams, and quizzes.

1. Ask the Instructor.

When preparing for a test, be aggressive and ask the instructor what to expect. Ask questions like... "What material will be covered?" ”What areas should I focus my heaviest studying?", "Will the test be objective or essay?"

2. Look up past copies of exams or quizzes.

Take the time to search out old exams if they are available in the library. Also check with other students who took the class the previous year or semester. These tests can give you an idea of what may be on your exam. Use them as a study tool, but don't rely heavily on them.

3. Review your notes.

Schedule time to go back and review all your notes and highlighted sections of your text. Don't try to re-read the entire text, but review the most important information.

4. Get in the bed.

Get a good night's sleep every single day of the test week. Rest gives the brain and body time to rejuvenate and play its "A" Game. Most importantly, it gives your mind time to digest your studies.

5. Eat and exercise lightly.

Along with eating lightly before an exam, also do some non-strenuous exercise before the exam.

6. Make up your own test.

Put yourself in the shoes of your professor, and make up your own tests. After making up a mock test, spend time answering all the questions from your mock test. This will give you the opportunity to get into test-taking mode and allow you to review the most important information.

Kantis Simmons desires for all students to play their 'A' Game in and outside the classroom. Subscribe to his published e-newsletter, "The GamePlan", and get FREE insider secrets to academic success, college success and student success at http://www.playingyourAgame.com. As an Academic Success Coach, Speaker and author of Playing Your 'A' Game: Biblical Principles for Academic Success, Kantis Simmons would love to bring value to your school, students and faculty. Contact him at http://www.KantisSimmons.com and see how he can propel your students and faculty to their "A" Game.