How to Prepare for School Tests And College Exams – Academic Survival Skill #7

Taking test, preparing for exams, studying for midterms, and studying for final exams traditioanlly give students challenges. With so many things taking place before test time, there seems to be a rush of adrenaline to the mind containing fear, stress, overload and anxiety. I have experienced these same symptoms before test time, until I learned a few key ways to prepare for test.

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

Tags: college finals, final exams, School exams, Standardized Tests, tests