Test Taking SkillsTest Taking Skills

Follow these 5 simple tips Follow these 5 simple tips and your grades will improveand your grades will improve

Tip #1 “Index Cards”Tip #1 “Index Cards”

• You need a pack of 5”x 7” index cardsYou need a pack of 5”x 7” index cards• You also need a pack of 3”x 5” cardsYou also need a pack of 3”x 5” cards• Find the material that will be on the Find the material that will be on the

test, for example, Chapter 6 and class test, for example, Chapter 6 and class notes.notes.

• While reading the Chapter, take notes While reading the Chapter, take notes onto the 5x7 card.onto the 5x7 card.

• Consolidate or Consolidate or “copy“copy” the notes onto ” the notes onto the 3x5 card.the 3x5 card.

Index Cards (cont.)Index Cards (cont.)

• For class notes, use the same For class notes, use the same process.process.

• Notes > 5x7 card > 3x5 card.Notes > 5x7 card > 3x5 card.• This process will help you remember This process will help you remember

the concepts and reinforce the concepts and reinforce information. information.

• The Index Card technique should The Index Card technique should start 1 week prior to a major teststart 1 week prior to a major test

Tip #2 “Environment”Tip #2 “Environment”

• Studying Studying has to be done has to be done independently.independently.• For knowledge to For knowledge to “sink in”,“sink in”, the student the student

has to be “has to be “one on oneone on one” with the ” with the material.material.

• Study Groups are generally ineffective Study Groups are generally ineffective and quickly become social and off-task. and quickly become social and off-task.

• No Cell Phones, I Pods, TV, Radio etc. No Cell Phones, I Pods, TV, Radio etc. during Studying.during Studying.

• Find a quiet area that works for you.Find a quiet area that works for you.

Tip #3 “Cramming”Tip #3 “Cramming”

• ““CrammingCramming” generally does not ” generally does not work and creates Test Anxiety.work and creates Test Anxiety.

• Studying must be “Studying must be “spread outspread out” over ” over at least 3 -4 nights to be effective. at least 3 -4 nights to be effective.

• If you “If you “CramCram”, you will likely enter ”, you will likely enter the test feeling tired and actually do the test feeling tired and actually do worse. worse.

Tip #4 “Concentration Tip #4 “Concentration Blocks”Blocks”

• Divide a hour of studying into 3 Divide a hour of studying into 3 separate 15-20 minute separate 15-20 minute ““concentration blocksconcentration blocks””

• For example, 15” studyingFor example, 15” studying5” break5” break• This technique allows for our brain This technique allows for our brain

to get refreshed and not become to get refreshed and not become fatigued.fatigued.

Tip #5 “Test Anxiety”Tip #5 “Test Anxiety”

• Tests and Exams are a part of life, you Tests and Exams are a part of life, you will take hundreds, if not thousands of will take hundreds, if not thousands of these in your life. these in your life.

• Knowing this fact allows you to put Knowing this fact allows you to put each test in perspective.each test in perspective.

• ““Test AnxietyTest Anxiety” is really a lack of ” is really a lack of preparation.preparation.

• If you are prepared, then you are If you are prepared, then you are confident. confident. Confidence = Minimal Confidence = Minimal AnxietyAnxiety