Studying
Test Taking
Communicating with your Professors
Preparing Physically
Studying
 Before you begin studying find out
the format of your test and what it
will cover (E.g. Is the entire exam
short answer? Is the exam
cumulative?).
 Go through your notes, texts,
related primary sources and
handouts, and then set aside
materials you don’t need
 Seek information from people who
have already taken the course:
 how difficult the instructor’s
tests are, whether they focus
primarily on assigned readings
or on class notes etc.
Studying
 Use the SQ3R (Scan/Survey, Question, Read,
Record/Recite and Review) reading method when
reviewing your materials
 Scan/Survey: Pre-read an assigned chapter (headings,
vocabulary, illustrations, tables, chapter summary).
Surveying also includes reading the first and last
sentence in a paragraph.
 Question: Who, what, when, where and why? If you
cannot answer the questions, you should find the
answers as you read along.
Studying
 Read: Read slowly and carefully. Cannot skip this step
even though it is time consuming. Do not move ahead if
you don’t understand the previous section. Take notes
and highlight. Several methods of taking notes include:
charts, outlines, key words, mind maps, flash cards,
summaries and time lines.
 Record/Recite: Discuss the material you just read with
a friend or recite the information aloud
 Review: Survey the chapter once more. Look at
highlighted areas and notes. This step will help you
store and retain this information in long-term memory.
Studying
 Reviewing your class notes




on the same day you take
them!
1:3 ratio
Look over your class notes
and make sure that they are
complete and accurate
Make note of anything that
was confusing
Plan for short, frequent
review sessions
Studying
 Based on a 1 hour lecture
 Day 1- Leave the lecture
knowing 100% of what you
know
 Day 2- If you have done
nothing with the information
you will have lost 50-80% of
what you learned
 Day 7- We remember even
less
 Day 30- We only retain about
2-3% of the original hour
Studying
 Day 2- If you spend 10
minutes reviewing after
the lecture you will raise
the curve to 100%
 Day 7- It only takes 5
minutes to re-activate the
material
 Day 30- You will only need
2-4 minutes to reactive the
material
 If you don’t review it will
take you 40-50 minutes
to re-learn each hour of
material
Studying
 Prepare a study schedule-
consider your study
materials, the number of days
until the test, and the time
you can study each day
 Take a pretest- E.g. Some
textbooks have questions at
the end of every chapter. If
this is not the case create your
own test questions.
Studying
 There are many benefits to studying
with others- whether it’s one other
person or a group
 Study buddies can help you to:
 Enhance understanding of your
course material
 Master key concepts
 Review for tests and exams
 Work with others with whom you
feel comfortable and whom you
believe to be dependable
 Assign work and a set schedule
Test Taking
 General strategies to help you
succeed on tests:
 Write down key factsBefore you even look at the
exam write down key
information (E.g. Formulas,
definitions etc)
 Begin with an overview of
the exam- Take a few
minutes and look through
the exam. Take into
consideration the number of
questions in each section,
and their point values. Use
this information to schedule
your time.
Test Taking
 Read test directions- (E.g.
Only answer 80 of the 100
multiple choice questions)
 Begin with the easy
questions- Begin with those
that seem easiest to you. You
can answer these questions
quickly, leaving more time for
questions that require greater
effort.
 Watch the clock- keep track
of how much time is left and
how you are progressing
Communicating With Your Professors
 At the beginning of every
semester you should drop by
your professors office, during
his/her office hours and
introduce yourself
 Take advantage of your
professor's and teaching
assistants (T.A.) office hours
 If you are having difficulty
with the course material meet
immediately with your
professor or T.A.
Prepare Physically
 Get adequate amounts of sleep-
adequate amounts of sleep have
an impact on your memory
 Eat healthy- Avoid foods high in
sugar.
 Avoid large amounts caffeine-
Too much caffeine can make it
difficult to focus
 3 meals a day- Eating nothing
leaves you drained, and eating too
much food can make you sleepy
Good luck with your exams!