how to prepare yourself for exams

Exam Preparation

• What we’ll be covering:– key elements of exam preparation– creating and using note cards– the Eight-day study plan

How to get Prepared for Exams Mubarek's Powerpoint

What problems are you currently having with preparing for exams?

• Take a moment to complete “Exam Prep: A Self Check”. (Click when finished)

•Now check your answers and list areas in which you can improve.

•The answers to all of the questions should be “yes”.


Key elements of exam preparation

• Know what the exam will cover– If you don’t know, then ask. Visit

instructor’s office hours or ask over e-mail.



• Know what type of exam will be given– Match the method of study to the kind of

exam you will be given– (hint: you wouldn’t use note cards to study

for an essay exam)



• Avoid procrastination– If you wait until the last-minute to study,

you’ll remember less and stress more– By keeping track of all the daily activities

you participate in, an Ultimate Schedule can be constructed. With this Ultimate Schedule:

• free time can be used to prepare for upcoming exams,

• and more time can be set aside if it is needed.• See example.



• Use memory techniques– Remember the techniques we discussed?



• Make sure you’ve taken adequate notes and read the text– Get any notes that you’ve missed



• Have the proper attitude



• Monitor your anxiety level– A little anxiety is good, but a lot will hurt

your performance– Check out our stress management on-line

workshop



• Don’t be afraid to ask questions– Ask during class, over e-mail, at tutoring

and in your study group



• Look for (or create) practice tests and questions– Form a study group and have each

member identify possible test questions. Write each other practice tests

– Ask the instructor for any old tests, if available

– Come to the Learning Center and use our bank of old tests.


Creating and Using Note Cards

• When note cards are a good idea– when you are a visual learner– when you will be given an objective test


Creating and Using Note Cards

• Using them the right way– frequently shuffle the cards to keep from

learning them in order– use only one concept per card- they aren’t

designed to hold more– use your own words- by putting concepts in

your own words, you’re actively learning while you create them

– take out the ones you know until the final review- don’t waste your time studying things you already know

– check out these examples


The Eight Day Study Plan

• download the Eight-Day Study PlanEight-Day Study Plan


Summary

• Re-reading your text and notes is often not enough to prepare you for an exam. You will need to have good study strategies and a good study plan.

• It’s also important that you know where to go for additional help, including instructor office hours, tutoring centers and preceptors.


Apply what you’ve learned

• Complete the Eight-Day Study Plan for one of your classes


how to prepare yourself for exams

Education

day study plan

exam preparation

study group

key elements

ultimate schedule

exams mubarek

note cards

practice tests