Midterms The Insider Information

TOOLS for Midterms  5 easy steps to acing your mid-terms; an overview of important aspects  Try to relax  Outline  Organization  Long-term Studying  Sleep

What Midterms Are - A midterm is a comprehensive test of everything covered in first semester - Not as specific as previous tests - Focuses on general concepts and most important points - On the report card, midterms have their own column - Each quarter grade is counted twice and the midterm counted once to get first semester grade - So, Q1+ Q1+ Q2+ Q2+ M /5 =First Semester Grade

What Midterms Are - Midterms do affect your grades - If they’re higher than quarter grades they can raise final grade - If they’re the same as quarter grades have no effect - If they’re lower than quarter grades they can lower final - Schedule of tests can be found on calendar - School goes from 8:00 to 11:15 - No homeroom, go directly to first exam classroom - Have 15 minute break to eat and then relax

What to Study -Textbook notes/highlighted points - Reading all of the material in your text can be very overwhelming! (don’t do this!) - Studying old tests and quizzes is definitely helpful - Some teachers copy and paste questions - Many teachers base their midterm questions off of similar material, or question types. - Class notes are the most important study material

What to Study(Teacher Sheet)  Teachers will hand out sheets to students outlining topics and chapters to be covered on the exam Might also include important tests, quizzes, and homework assignments that should be reviewed May include types of questions that will be on the exam such as multiple choice, fill-in, short answer, concept map, or essay questions Study guide: try to complete it if given one

Subject Specifics English - symbols, themes, and motifs of each book read are important Math - try to create a practice test / practice problems to solve on your own, make flashcards for rules and formulas, or practice problems online (Glencoe) Biology - review processes and cycles, make concept maps on Inspiration, vocabulary Languages - vocabulary and grammar, practice reading and writing Const Foundations -Know how a bill becomes a law -Know the different terms of lawmakers and the president -vocabulary

What Materials to use - PowerPoint presentations - very useful, especially for biology! - Try to take a small white board and marker to draw the different process (cellular respiration, photosynthesis, etc…) -Concept maps are useful for hitting major topics. - Flashcards for vocabulary, dates, concepts - Punch hole in corner and put them on binder ring -As you study a chapter in a book, it helps to create a small outline of it -Print it out during Christmas break and study it later on -Teacher-given rubric of what to expect on the exam

When to Study Christmas break: begin studying Atmosphere is relaxed Family members can easily quiz you on different topics Friends may be available to get together for study groups Once you return to school, things get hectic Make sure to bring home all books, notes, and other study materials over break Take a break from studying for Christmas Eve/Day All major studying should be done at least 2 weeks before the exam The last few days before the exam, review what you’ve studied and you will be ready to take your exam

Organization and Scheduling  Organizing is the first step to taking midterms!  Once organization is completed, make a study schedule Scheduling study time helps to allot time to studying and to stay on task Study continually during set study period  Example schedule: Day 1: study A day classes Day 2: study B day classes Day 3: study A day classes, etc.  Dedicate the most time to trouble subjects but don’t breeze by easy ones  Commit to one or two chapters of each subject for each time you study Do not try to study an entire semester of material at once!

General Study/ Memory Tips Mnemonic Devices - simple words, phrases, or songs that help to prompt your memory Extremely helpful, especially if you are the kind of person that experiences sudden blanks in the middle of tests Study groups (with other students) Also extremely helpful. Important especially if you have holes in your notes. Take turns explaining different concepts to each other, checking whether each other is correct or not. Stay on task! Parental Quizzing Ask a parent to quiz you on previous multiple choice questions, vocabulary, etc. Relax, if you are stressed out then you won’t be able to remember as much.

Dealing With Stress  Take breaks  45/15 study method Study for 45 minutes, then take an ACTIVE break for 15 minutes (take a walk, do a little dance, eat a snack, whatever you enjoy) Don’t just nap, watch TV, or go online Don’t bring your notes with you during your break-it has to be a FULL break  Don’t study for really long periods of time without a break You will overwork yourself You will be more tired You won’t absorb the information you’re studying Less productive and wastes time

Dealing With Stress  Try to do 1 fun thing over the weekend before midterms Watch an episode of a favorite TV show or movie Eat a hot fudge sundae Listen to your favorite CD Don’t do too many long fun activities  Will stress you out more and you won’t have enough time to study sufficiently  Make sure you study in advance You’re 85% more likely to remember the information if you don’t cram You won’t have to scramble to study and learn everything the night before if you start over Christmas break Make sure you understand everything  If not, go to a teacher for help when classes resume  Write down specific questions while studying  Do not go to teacher and say “I don’t get it” without an explanation as to what you don’t understand

Dealing With Stress  Keep organized Go over all of your notes to make sure they’re complete and in order  Write down any questions you have for the teacher Make sure you know what’s going to be on the midterm  Use teacher-given exam outline  Go to teachers to make sure you’re studying the right material and that you’re not leaving out sections or topics you need to study, if unsure of what to study  Make your own detailed outline of what will be on the midterm Accordion Folder - can keep all tests and quizzes and homework assignments in there Keep your papers from year to year  Might need them later on  Math, science, and languages - especially important because these subjects build off of each other

If You’re Stressing  Don’t try to cram  Stay calm  Study at a pace and place that are good for you  Try studying an easier subject or an easier section for a certain subject Will help you to become less stressed Will be able to understand and remember what you’re studying  Take a break *Don’t take more than a minute break or you’ll become more stressed  Don’t sacrifice sleep! Sleep is very important-if you don’t sleep, you won’t remember what you’ve studied If you’ve been studying over Christmas break and the preceding weeks before midterms, you’ll be fine

If You’re Stressing  Eat a snack Something healthy: will help to re-energize you  Crackers  Nuts  Fruit Special treat or candy: will make you happier  Chocolate  Popcorn  Cookies  Favorite candy  Make sure you’re studying somewhere where you’re not being distracted Have a specific room for studying where it’s quiet and comfortable

What to do on Test Day  Get a good night’s sleep Not just on test day, but for the entire week before Just the night before doesn’t help Don’t stay up cramming, just review then relax  Eat a good breakfast and buy/bring something for break to keep energy up  Be prepared for the exam with all materials needed (calculator, pens, pencils, loose-leaf, etc.)  Get to school early  Before the exam take a deep breath and focus yourself  If you’ve studied you’ll be fine, don’t let stress mess you up

Closing Notes:  Breathe and relax!!  Get started early  You will do fine