Yes, exams are over and we are ready for a much needed break.  Congratulations on all of your hard work.  Take time to reflect on things that went well, things that didn’t, and how you can reset your compass for next year if needed.

Happy New Year!

                                                    Before the Test

1. Be sure to find out ahead of time.
   • what material the test will cover
   • what type of test it will be (multiple choice, true false, short answer, essay)
   • how the test will be graded
   • how much the test will count toward the final grade
2. Study in a place that is free of distractions.  Have ready all the things you will need, such as paper, pens, or a calculator.
3. Study at a time when you are alert and not hungry or sleepy.
4. Don’t wait until the last minute to study!  Short daily study sessions are better than one long session the night before the test.
5. Set a goal for each study period.  If you are being tested on three chapters, set up four study sessions, one for each chapter and one for a review of the main ideas in all three chapters.
6. Repetition is key!  Read and reread your class notes and the relevant chapters in the textbook.
7. While you are reviewing your notes, cover them up periodically and summarize them out loud.  Pretend that you are explaining the material to someone else.
8. Create your own study aids.
   • Make an outline from your notes of just the main ideas.
   • Make a timeline of important dates or the order of events.
   • Make flashcards for studying vocabulary or events and important dates.
   • Make up your own quiz or test based on your notes and have a friend, parent or sibling test you.
9. Do any practice exams or study sheets provided by the teacher. These will help you focus your study session and give you confidence.
10. Get help from the teacher if you do not understand something.

Tip of the Day:

Be Prepared!

Start by gathering all your notes, quizzes and other material related to the class.  Set aside time daily to review and memorize material.  Once you’ve dedicated time and effort to the task at hand, you can approach the exam with extreme confidence.  Preparation is a key component to test taking.