Most Effective Ways to Prepare for an Exam

It’s getting closer and closer to time for midterms. That’s right, major exams are on the horizon for your kids, and it feels like we just started back to school. Nevertheless, it is our job as parents and teachers to make sure our children are prepared. During the day, we count on educators to provide the necessary lesson material. But what happens when our students come home and it is time for studying?  Up to 33% of the students surveyed felt they didn’t  know how to sit down and study.  Let’s review some effective tips and tricks to make the most of study time and prepare for exams.

• Keep up with assigned reading.

If your teacher says to read certain chapters or specific pages, chances are that’s because there is relevant information within the text. Not only are we reading to please our teachers and pass school tests, but it is also an exercise much greater than that. Being given the task to read and absorb the material on your own is something you will encounter in almost every career. There are a lot of careers that require you to read, comprehend, and then teach others specific ideas within the text. Assigning reading teaches comprehension at a practical level and encourages you to retain information on your own.

• Create a learning space.

It may be tempting to bring your school or work to your bed because, hey, let’s face it… that’s about as cozy as it gets! Unfortunately, there is where the problem lies quite literally. Your bed is a comfortable place of refuge for sleep and relaxation and that might prove too tempting for your brain that is conditioned to rest there. Often, we begin to study and find that we are growing weary by the minute. This is not because you are exerting great effort, but more because you are used to sleeping in this area and your mind recognizes this. It is important to create a space that is a dedicated place of learning. Make sure your area is neat, tidy, and well-stocked with supplies necessary for studying. And of course, it is important to have good posture and not be supine while trying to learn, as this encourages our bodies to relax and enter sleep mode.

• Make a study outline before beginning.

An outline is the best way to ensure you cover all your material in a timely and effective manner. Start with a rough outline of your notes and add in other concepts required for the exam. Try to go in chronological order or at least be sure that one idea leads into the next if they are interdependent. Having a guide to reference while you are study helps you to cover everything required for your exam in an appropriate amount of time. The last thing you want to be doing is, “cramming.”

Futurelink’s Academic PA plan helps you by creating study guides, quizzes for test prep, and so much more. If you are looking for intense academic progress, this is the plan to investigate. Your tutor will prepare all the aforementioned study material and teach you innovative ways to prepare for exams, like proper calendar planning skills, deadline tracking, and online learning help. With the Academic PA plan, daily zoom check-ins with your tutor help to craft better communication and organization skills. If advancement and achieving academic milestones are your goals, take a look at our plans and see which one is right for you.

• Make flashcards.

Most material can be sub-sectioned into a question-answer formula that is perfect for flashcards. Put your answer on one side and the explanation on the other. This will allow you to recognize the material in a question format during the exam. You’ll be able to spot keywords or phrases and relate them to your flashcards.

• Take practice tests.

Practice tests are a great way to survey your knowledge on the subject. Not to mention, you may see very similar questions on your exam. Practice makes the exam a lot less intimidating.

• Get adequate rest.

As we mentioned above, it may be tempting to cram all your studying into one late-night power session, but the rumor of this tactic’s effectiveness is indeed just that… a rumor. Research shows that many students cannot recall information after a cram session. This is because the information is memorized rather than gaining a deeper understanding of the material. It is much better to have a good night’s rest prior to an exam.

• You are what you eat.

Be cautious of what you ingest before an exam. Sugary foods are not your friend. It is important to fuel your body with a nutritious breakfast the morning of your exam. Studies have also hinted that the use of certain foods, such as peppermint can have a positive effect on testing. You’ve probably heard that chewing gum can improve concentration. But even a whiff of peppermint helps improve concentration, memory, and attention span.

• Enlist some help.

If you are like the one-third of us who have trouble even knowing where to begin with exam preparation, you’re in luck. Enlist the help of classmates or tutors who have the know-how when it comes to test-taking. Futurelink tutors always utilize proper calendar planning, outlining for study guides, and practice tests as part of their curriculum. You’ll not only ace the test but acquire valuable skills to carry you far beyond this one exam. Click here for a free assessment now and see how you can improve.