| High School Pg.5 |
PASSING THOSE TESTS CAN BE A BREEZE
Learning to prepare well for tests is an important middle school
skill. Remember these points as you get ready for tests.
Gather all materials. The first step to good test preparation is
collecting all the materials you need to study for your test.
These may include class notes, prior quizzes, and review sheets
provided by your teacher. Whatever information you have should
be at hand when you start to study.
Choose your study style. Different students develop different
styles for studying. You need to develop your own techniques
that work for you. Maybe you should study alone. Maybe your
parents should help by asking you questions to help you review.
You might study best with a friend. You might want to make
charts or flashcards. Try several methods and pick the one
that's best for you and the test you're preparing to take.
Ask your teachers for suggestions. Your teachers can help you
learn how to effectively prepare for tests. As you prepare to
study (several days before the test), ask your teacher if the
materials you plan to review are the right ones. The day before
the test or the morning of the test, go to school early and ask
any last-minute questions.
Get a good night's sleep. A good night's sleep the night before
a test will help you think more clearly and focus on the
questions. Record television shows and save video games for the
weekend, especially when you have a major test.
Eat a good breakfast. No need to overdo it, but putting
something in your stomach can help you think more clearly. A
growling sound for the duration of the test may have you
concentrating more on food than the test questions!
Listen to the teacher's instructions. Before the test begins,
pay particular attention to the teacher's instructions. You may
hear some helpful suggestions or some details about a particular
section of the test. Read all directions carefully before
starting the test. If you don't understand the directions, ask
the teacher to clarify them. A teacher won't give you an answer,
but an extra explanation of the question may help.
Budget your allotted time. Work as quickly as you can, but don't
rush. You won't get an "A" for finishing first.
Use good strategies when completing the test. Answer the
questions you're sure about first. Next complete the sections of
the test that are worth the most points. For true/false
questions, remember the trick about watching out for words like
"never" and "always." Frequently such statements are false. Read
each question carefully. For multiple choice questions, try to
recall the answer before you look at the choices. Use the
process of elimination to help you on the tough ones.
Last, but not least, don't turn in your test the minute you
finish. If you finish the test before time is up, take a few
minutes to review your answers. It's easy to make a mistake when
you're rushing. When teachers says it's a good idea to "go over
the test," they're right.
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