Then with disgust, she mentions that while she was taking her test she heard two students talking during her final exams. She looked at them, but could not understand a word they were saying – they were speaking another language.

As she sat there, another student too witnessed these two men talking during the final exams. What were they talking about at this crucial time? They were cheating!

Should they turn these  students in or should they let this pass?

“Tell or don’t tell? That is the question!

In my first year at Georgia Institute of Technology, I came to better understand the importance of honor.  There was a situation that took place during my first semester that I had never experienced before. I was taking an engineering test in a class made up primarily of international students. The professor was not present. During the exam, I heard a foreign language spoken in the classroom. To this day, I have no idea what was said, but I know there should not have been any talking during the test. I assumed that a few students were cheating, but I blocked the thought out of my head.  Unfortunately it happened again during another test, except this time I heard papers being passed around. Despite the evidence, I again let the situation slide. 

When it happened a third time, I wrote an unsigned letter to the department head and to all the professors of the classes in which I believed the students were cheating.  In my letter I expressed my observations during each test session. I specifically mentioned each instance I felt the students were cheating.  I expressed my belief that these actions were unfair to other students and that a flagrant violation to the honor code tookplace that required an investigation and possible disciplinary action. 

After a few days, the professor returned the exams and made a public comment about the letter in which I had written. He went on to express that the institution held the Honor Code in the highest regard and required that all students abide by it. In addition, the professor stated that students who were witnesses to cheating were required to report what they had observed. 

I knew about the first part of the code, but not the latter. The professor suggested that the “disturbed graduate student” come and see him to discuss the matter personally with him; thereafter, he would investigate the situation. I met with him after class in his office, and he explained to me my part of the honor code; to report violations by confronting the student personally or informing the professor of the alleged infraction. When he had finished speaking, I told him of my observations. 

After two semesters of investigating and keeping a thorough watch on the alleged violators, these students were caught red-handed. The professors finally realized that what I had observed and reported was obviously true. 

Is cheating something that you witness, but don’t say anything? Do you let it pass like so many do?

I encourage you to walk in honor, even if situational ethics say it is okay to “sneak a peek” or plagiarize something. 

Honor is doing what’s right when no one is looking. Honor is directly related to one’s character. It defines who you are, when you are all alone without any classmates or supervision. So what does your character say about you? Are you the student that occassionally goes the extra mile to get the anwers for the test from your peers. Or are you the student that spends time writing the answers to the exam on the palm of your hand? Maybe you are the “techie” cheater, who knows how to program the answers and study notes in your cell phone or scientific calculator?  If you are one of the above, I encourage you today to cut the nonsense out. Stop living a dishonorable life, and make a decision today to walk in integrity. “God don’t like ugly” is what my elders use to say.

PS: My friend, did the honorable thing. She notified her teacher by writing a huge note to her professor ON HER EXAM. 

So what will you do? Tell or Don’t Tell?  Let me know what you think about this?

Then with disgust, she mentions that while she was taking her test she heard two students talking during her final exams. She looked at them, but could not understand a word they were saying – they were speaking another language.

As she sat there, another student too witnessed these two men talking during the final exams. What were they talking about at this crucial time? They were cheating!

Should they turn these  students in or should they let this pass?

“Tell or don’t tell? That is the question!

In my first year at Georgia Institute of Technology, I came to better understand the importance of honor.  There was a situation that took place during my first semester that I had never experienced before. I was taking an engineering test in a class made up primarily of international students. The professor was not present. During the exam, I heard a foreign language spoken in the classroom. To this day, I have no idea what was said, but I know there should not have been any talking during the test. I assumed that a few students were cheating, but I blocked the thought out of my head.  Unfortunately it happened again during another test, except this time I heard papers being passed around. Despite the evidence, I again let the situation slide. 

When it happened a third time, I wrote an unsigned letter to the department head and to all the professors of the classes in which I believed the students were cheating.  In my letter I expressed my observations during each test session. I specifically mentioned each instance I felt the students were cheating.  I expressed my belief that these actions were unfair to other students and that a flagrant violation to the honor code tookplace that required an investigation and possible disciplinary action. 

After a few days, the professor returned the exams and made a public comment about the letter in which I had written. He went on to express that the institution held the Honor Code in the highest regard and required that all students abide by it. In addition, the professor stated that students who were witnesses to cheating were required to report what they had observed. 

I knew about the first part of the code, but not the latter. The professor suggested that the “disturbed graduate student” come and see him to discuss the matter personally with him; thereafter, he would investigate the situation. I met with him after class in his office, and he explained to me my part of the honor code; to report violations by confronting the student personally or informing the professor of the alleged infraction. When he had finished speaking, I told him of my observations. 

After two semesters of investigating and keeping a thorough watch on the alleged violators, these students were caught red-handed. The professors finally realized that what I had observed and reported was obviously true. 

Is cheating something that you witness, but don’t say anything? Do you let it pass like so many do?

I encourage you to walk in honor, even if situational ethics say it is okay to “sneak a peek” or plagiarize something. 

Honor is doing what’s right when no one is looking. Honor is directly related to one’s character. It defines who you are, when you are all alone without any classmates or supervision. So what does your character say about you? Are you the student that occassionally goes the extra mile to get the anwers for the test from your peers. Or are you the student that spends time writing the answers to the exam on the palm of your hand? Maybe you are the “techie” cheater, who knows how to program the answers and study notes in your cell phone or scientific calculator?  If you are one of the above, I encourage you today to cut the nonsense out. Stop living a dishonorable life, and make a decision today to walk in integrity. “God don’t like ugly” is what my elders use to say.

PS: My friend, did the honorable thing. She notified her teacher by writing a huge note to her professor ON HER EXAM. 

So what will you do? Tell or Don’t Tell?  Let me know what you think about this?

1. Ask the Instructor.

When preparing for test be aggressive and ask the instructor what to expect. Ask questions like… “What material will be covered?” What should you concentrate on?”, “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 your exam may be like. Use them as a study tool, but don’t rely heavily on them.

3. Predict.

Try to predict test questions beforehand. Prepare answers to those questions, and use it as another study preparation tool.

4. Review your notes.

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

5. 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, but most importantly it gives your mind time to digest your studies.

6. Eat lightly.

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

7. 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.

7.25  Approach the Test with Confidence

If you put in the preparation, believe that you can succeed. The #1 downfall of  most students is self-doubt, thus leading to a lack of confidence. Therefore after putting in the proper preparation, don’t allow your internal ipod to speak doubt and failure. But  walk in confidence, speak confidently,abd approach the test with confidence. You CAN ace all your tests.

Understanding how to prepare for test or exams is a vital academic skill that every student must develop.

Yes reviewing your class notes regularly can make studying for exams easier and more efficient, but here are some other key ways that you can prepare for those exams. These may seem easy and simple, but they are very effective.

7.25 Ways to Prepare for those Tests

1. ASK THE INSTRUCTOR – When was the last time you just walked into your teacher’s office and asked, “Excuse me instructor? What shall I expect on the test? What material will be covered? Will the test be essay or objective? and What should I concentrate on when preparing?” Now what is the worst thing the teacher can say? NO, I’m not telling?

2. LOOK UP PAST COPIES – I can assure you that what you are being tested on is not the first time it is in exam form. So check with your library or older student to see if old exams are available. This can give you a general idea what of what to expect on the test. But please don’t rely heavily on this, it’s just for your preparation.

3. MAKE YOUR OWN TEST – From everything your instructor has talked about, put yourself in the shoes of your instructor and make up your OWN test. put down on paper ten good questions you think would be great test questions, and answer them.

4. REVIEW YOUR NOTES – Go over and reread all highlighted sections of your text again. Don’t re-read the entire text, just highlighted areas that are also in your notes. If possible, mkae up test questions from these hihlighted notes as mentioned above. If you are still having challenges taking good notes, then review the academic survival skill on note-taking.

5. CALL A STUDY GROUP – Have a  true “TEST PARTY”. Gather 5 people or less, and form a circle. Going one by one, have each person ask a potential test question to another person in the circle. Individually this will help you prepare your answers, and see how others answered the questions in the game. At the end of the game, discuss among your classmates all the correct answers and why.

6. GET A GOOD NIGHT SLEEP – Sleeping is so amazing. It refreshes the body and refreshes your mind to think strong and clearly. In a previous post on Sleeping your Way to better grades. I go into more detail of why sleep is so important to your academic success.

7. EAT LIGHTLY – this is really simple, but really needed. Don;t bog your tummy down with greasy foods, but eat something in the morning that is living (fruit vegetables, pure juices). This will help get your “test motor” running. Similar to putting dirty gas in your car. Get it?

7.25 HAVE A WINNING ATTITUDE – this alone has caused so many people to fail that i must address it. However you invision your self, that will you be.  if your inner voice is saying you will fail or that youa re not prepared – then in most cases you will. As a cheerleader is to a football team, you must be to your inner mindest and attitude. After preapring and properly studying for the exam, cherr yourself up and tell your self that you can Play YOUR “A” Game and ace this exam. I believe you can, and YOU must believe you can.

Well there it is..there’s some simple things you can do to pass those exams and tests. I would love to hear how you have done. Leave me a comment or email me at info(at)playingyouragame(dot)com.

If there are other key ways you suggest preparing for test, then leave me a comment below and let me know what works effectively for you.

Kantis Simmons is a college speaker, youth motivator and the author of  Playing Your “A” Game and other resources. He is acclaimed for receiving three college degrees but didn’t pay a single penny to receive them (Which is equivalent to $400,000 in scholarship money). Visit http://www.kantissimmons.com to see how his academic expertise and keep it real style can help bring value to your students and  your next event. Also subscribe to his free newsletter the GAMEPLAN for secrets tips on academic success, scholarships and special updates at http://www.playingyourAgame.com