Study strategies for tests

Put it in your calendar

Time management is critical to the success of your test preparation. Plan out when you will study. Create a weekly action plan. Block out reasonable amounts of time over many days leading up to the exam. Two hour chunks of time work well. Be sure to build in time for other responsibilities and activities that recharge you.

Do a practice run

Recreate the testing conditions by taking sample tests, preferably under the same conditions of the actual test. Time yourself using the same amount of time you will have during the exam. If you don’t know where to find sample tests, check with a professor, adviser, or coach for ideas.

Focus on what you need to know

Your test may not cover all topics addressed in your class. Try to figure out the focus of the test and study that material the most. A study guide provided by your professor would be a common way to get this information. Alternatively, focus on studying the topics about which you know the least and review more quickly what you know well already.

Vary your study strategies

Everyone is different, but most of us benefit from using at least two different study techniques. Here are a few strategies you can try.

• Note-taking
• Active reading
• Mindmaps
• Watching videos on the topic
• Studying in groups