There are things that you can do to get better grades on tests… Studying for Tests There are things that you can do to get better grades on tests…

Before the test…

Before the test… Talk to the teacher… What type of test? What does the test covers?

Before the test… Talk to the teacher… What type of test? What does the test covers? Study where there are no distractions

Before the test… Talk to the teacher… What type of test? What does the test covers? Study where there are no distractions Study when alert – not hungry or tired

Before the test… Talk to the teacher… What type of test? What does the test covers? Study where there are no distractions Study when alert – not hungry or tired Study in short daily sessions days before the test

Before the test… Talk to the teacher… What type of test? What does the test covers? Study where there are no distractions Study when alert – not hungry or tired Study in short daily sessions days before the test Set a goal for each study period

Before the test… Read & re-read your notes & text book

Before the test… Read & re-read your notes & text book Take good notes in class

Before the test… Read & re-read your notes & text book Take good notes in class Organize your notes

Before the test… Read & re-read your notes & text book Take good notes in class Organize your notes Cover your notes while reviewing and summarize out loud

Before the test… Read & re-read your notes & text book Take good notes in class Organize your notes Cover your notes while reviewing and summarize out loud Create your own study aids… Outline Flashcards Timeline Quizzes

Before the test… Use any practice exams or study guides

Before the test… Use any practice exams or study guides Day before the test… Finish studying the day before the exam Get a good night’s sleep Eat breakfast Avoid stress before the test

Studying in Groups…

Studying in Groups… Limit the group to 3-5 people

Studying in Groups… Limit the group to 3-5 people Schedule several sessions

Studying in Groups… Limit the group to 3-5 people Schedule several sessions Choose a leader

Studying in Groups… Limit the group to 3-5 people Schedule several sessions Choose a leader Be prepared!

Studying in Groups… Limit the group to 3-5 people Schedule several sessions Choose a leader Be prepared! Create & stay to an agenda Compare notes & review homework Drill facts List and review “why” questions

During the Test…

During the Test… Listen to instructions

During the Test… Listen to instructions Read directions carefully

During the Test… Listen to instructions Read directions carefully If you have a question, ask it

During the Test… Listen to instructions Read directions carefully If you have a question, ask it Answer questions completely & with detail

During the Test… Listen to instructions Read directions carefully If you have a question, ask it Answer questions completely & with detail Check to make sure you have not skipped anything

During the Test… Listen to instructions Read directions carefully If you have a question, ask it Answer questions completely & with detail Check to make sure you have not skipped anything Proofread your answers

During the Test… Listen to instructions Read directions carefully If you have a question, ask it Answer questions completely & with detail Check to make sure you have not skipped anything Proofread your answers Don’t let other test takers disturb you

During the Test… Listen to instructions Read directions carefully If you have a question, ask it Answer questions completely & with detail Check to make sure you have not skipped anything Proofread your answers Don’t let other test takers disturb you While proof-reading, don’t change an answer unless you are sure The first answer is usually the correct one

DETER Test Taking Strategy D = Directions E = Examine T = Time E = Easiest R = Review

D = Directions

D = Directions Read the test directions very carefully

D = Directions Read the test directions very carefully Ask your teacher any question you have about the directions

D = Directions Read the test directions very carefully Ask your teacher any question you have about the directions You must follow the directions

D = Directions Read the test directions very carefully Ask your teacher any question you have about the directions You must follow the directions Not following the directions can keep you from showing what you know

E = Examine

E = Examine Look at the whole test to see what you have to do

E = Examine Look at the whole test to see what you have to do Determine how many points are available for each section

E = Examine Look at the whole test to see what you have to do Determine how many points are available for each section Break it down into manageable bits

T = Time

T = Time Decide how much time you will spend on each part of the test

T = Time Decide how much time you will spend on each part of the test Remember to account for the items worth the most points

T = Time Decide how much time you will spend on each part of the test Remember to account for the items worth the most points Planning your time appropriately, especially for essays, will keep you from spending all your time on one item

E = Easiest

E = Easiest Answer the items you find easiest first

E = Easiest Answer the items you find easiest first This helps you avoid getting stuck early in the test on difficult items

R = Review

R = Review Plan for time to review your answers at the end of the test

R = Review Plan for time to review your answers at the end of the test Review all items – even the directions

After the Test…

After the Test… Read the teacher’s comments carefully

After the Test… Read the teacher’s comments carefully Save the test for future review

If you must cram…

If you must cram… Begin with 5 sheets of paper…

If you must cram… Begin with 5 sheets of paper… Identify 5 key concepts that will be covered

If you must cram… Begin with 5 sheets of paper… Identify 5 key concepts that will be covered Enter one at the top of each page

If you must cram… Begin with 5 sheets of paper… Identify 5 key concepts that will be covered Enter one at the top of each page Use only key words or short phrases

If you must cram… Begin with 5 sheets of paper… Identify 5 key concepts that will be covered Enter one at the top of each page Use only key words or short phrases Write an explanation for each – don’t use your text or notes, yet

If you must cram… Begin with 5 sheets of paper… Identify 5 key concepts that will be covered Enter one at the top of each page Use only key words or short phrases Write an explanation for each – don’t use your text or notes, yet Compare your response to the text or lecture notes

If you must cram… Begin with 5 sheets of paper… Identify 5 key concepts that will be covered Enter one at the top of each page Use only key words or short phrases Write an explanation for each – don’t use your text or notes, yet Compare your response to the text or lecture notes Edit or re-write your understanding of the concept

Concentration & Memory Skills

Concentration & Memory Skills Make an effort to remember…

Concentration & Memory Skills Make an effort to remember… Interest

Concentration & Memory Skills Make an effort to remember… Interest See the value in what you have to learn

Concentration & Memory Skills Make an effort to remember… Interest See the value in what you have to learn Attitude

Concentration & Memory Skills Make an effort to remember… Interest See the value in what you have to learn Attitude Think positively about what you need to learn

Concentration & Memory Skills Make an effort to remember… Interest See the value in what you have to learn Attitude Think positively about what you need to learn Be confident that you can learn it

Concentration & Memory Skills Make an effort to remember… Interest See the value in what you have to learn Attitude Think positively about what you need to learn Be confident that you can learn it Background

Concentration & Memory Skills Make an effort to remember… Interest See the value in what you have to learn Attitude Think positively about what you need to learn Be confident that you can learn it Background Connect your new learning to something you already know

Concentration & Memory Skills Decide importance and organize…

Concentration & Memory Skills Decide importance and organize… Select

Concentration & Memory Skills Decide importance and organize… Select Determine what is most important

Concentration & Memory Skills Decide importance and organize… Select Determine what is most important Start your studying with those items

Concentration & Memory Skills Decide importance and organize… Select Determine what is most important Start your studying with those items Organize

Concentration & Memory Skills Decide importance and organize… Select Determine what is most important Start your studying with those items Organize Group your concepts into categories

Concentration & Memory Skills Decide importance and organize… Select Determine what is most important Start your studying with those items Organize Group your concepts into categories This helps build connections between the concepts

Concentration & Memory Skills Make connections…

Concentration & Memory Skills Make connections… Recite

Concentration & Memory Skills Make connections… Recite Talking out loud to yourself actually helps!

Concentration & Memory Skills Make connections… Recite Talking out loud to yourself actually helps! Visualize

Concentration & Memory Skills Make connections… Recite Talking out loud to yourself actually helps! Visualize Make a mental or literal picture of the concepts you need to learn

Concentration & Memory Skills Make connections… Recite Talking out loud to yourself actually helps! Visualize Make a mental or literal picture of the concepts you need to learn Associate

Concentration & Memory Skills Make connections… Recite Talking out loud to yourself actually helps! Visualize Make a mental or literal picture of the concepts you need to learn Associate Connect the new learning to something you already know about

Concentration & Memory Skills Learn over time…

Concentration & Memory Skills Learn over time… Takes your brain time to make connections

Concentration & Memory Skills Learn over time… Takes your brain time to make connections Study over several days to help make those connections

You can do well on tests!!!

You can do well on tests!!! Try some of these strategies…

You can do well on tests!!! Try some of these strategies… What do you have to lose?