HSB4U Exam Studying
Jan. 2015
Key Concepts
• Use your list of key concepts as a guide
– It is condensed
• Use your previous quizzes to review some of
the more difficult concepts
• Use flashcards (key concept on one side,
definition on the other) to help you review
• Make “odd” or “wild” combinations of key
concepts to form coherent sentences
Studying is Not …
•
•
•
•
Read vs. review
Review vs. reinforce
Active vs. passive
Cram vs. plan
Highlighting
• Research shows that it is NOT a good study
method
– To be useful it has to be combined with other
methods such as annotating your notes (writing
comments beside sections of notes)
• Such comments could relate to class discussions you
remember
Active Studying
• Make notes into diagrams (like we did for
globalization theories)
• Take two seemingly similar concepts (like
relative and absolute income inequality) and
identify similarities and differences on a Venn
diagram or a 3-column chart
More Active Studying
• Make mind maps/webs of chapters
– Show how concepts relate to each other
• Add details onto all mind maps/webs,
diagrams, charts
– 5 Ws and H
• Match theories and schools of thought to the
appropriate theorist and social science
discipline
Article Preparation
• Look over your two previous tests
– See how you improved
– See what is left to improve on
• Take out your Analytical Writing Checklist
– Identify your strengths and weaknesses
• Identify all the key concepts you can think of
that relate to the article
– Then narrow down to the best four
Article Preparation, con’t
• Write out practice answers
– Time yourself
• about one hour maximum should be your goal
Sight Article Preparation
• Know your chapter 9 key concepts
• Read an article from any newspaper and see
how much you understand it
– Speak aloud to yourself while you’re reading
Timing
• Don’t study for a long time without a break
– 45 minutes to an hour
• Don’t make your breaks longer than your
study sessions
• Divide your studying into as many days as
possible
• Give your brain processing time (it is learning
to make associations)
A Good Resource
• http://www.learningcommons.uoguelph.ca/g
uides/university_learning/accessibility/studyin
g.html