Before you take a test.

Ever hear about those who do not have to study for a test that is because they begin thinking about it long before they enter the test room.  The test wise student makes a profile of the format of the test and the characteristics of the teacher.  When they prepare for a test, they do not read and memorize every detail in their notes.  They study specific information, in a specific way, for every type of test.  They also make sure to take the time to work on themselves mentally, emotionally and physically to give their all for high marks.

We will show you how to master all three of these important “before the test” strategies.
 
Strategy 1: Find Out what Kind Of Test you are going To Take

There are those who are instinctively test wise, it is just natural to them.  These instinctive test wise students prepare for the tests in advance by figuring out exactly what the test is like and the types of things they need to study.   Taking a test is easier for them because they already know how to study for it. The following will help you prepare for specific types of tests:

• Short answers, fill in the blank, matching, and true or false tests: these tests require specific facts and details, so you should study anything that was emphasized in class or seemed important in your text book.
• Essay and oral tests:  these tests will require you to prepare a persuasive argument concerning several general topics and be able to back up each argument with solid details to prove you know the subject well. 
• For multiple-choice tests: You don't have to recall anything specific, but you do you have to recognize related information when you see it.  When you're studying, look for those relationships.

Put together as many clues as you can and as early as you can in every course you take.  These clues will help to reveal many things about what the exam will be like.  Things like, whether the exam will be based on facts and conclusions that you learned in class and required reading.  Or maybe the teacher will expect you to use your deductions and opinions.  Clues will indicate whether or not you will be expected to show that you have done reading outside of the classroom.

Very often, teachers will tell you the format of their tests, or certain blocks of information each test will cover.  But there are also teachers that will tell you anything you need to know only if you ask.  These types of teachers deliberately wait for students to ask because it tells them how much their students are paying attention.  If you don't ask, they don't tell.  But the student that is test wise, already knows what to do and has already asked the teacher and got information.  That test wise student now on you.  Ask yourself these questions:

• What percentage of the test will be true-false statements?
• What percentage of the test will be multiple choices? 
• What percentage will be essay?

Look At Past Exams

If you have already taken a few tests in the course, you already have many clues about the   upcoming test. All you need to do now is now think about them.  Decide on the areas of knowledge.

• What's this teacher's preference straight memorization or just to recognize the correct answers?
• What did earlier tests focus on trivia or major principles?
• Were there abstract questions or concrete ones?
• Does the teacher prefer facts or ideas?
• Are the tests scored by hand or machine? If by hand, or scores the tests?
• Were there any catch questions?
• Will it include everything since the course began or only the last six weeks' worth?
• Will you have to remember formulas or will they be given?
• Will the textbook, outside reading, or lectures be given the most weight?

There are many ways to get this information.  Some teachers have copies available of past exams they have given.  Study them for the types of questions to be expected.  Never fall into the trap of expecting the exact same type of questions every time.  In addition, don't expect the exact same format of exam to be given every time.  Read the directions slowly and carefully once you're in the exam room.  Teachers have been known to change a format or a particular question just slightly with a word or two intentionally to trap careless readers and see who is paying attention.

Ask the Instructor

It does not matter what type of test you are taking, do not be afraid to ask the instructor any question you may have.  Most teachers are willing to tell you whether they require you to actually know the equations and formulas and use those in mathematical situations or if you are just applying the information to what is already there. The teachers most often will state whether they expect details or just major concrete situations.

Predict On Past Experience

Sometimes your teacher will not indulge information besides the fact there will be an exam, if this is the case, or if this is your first test with the teacher, you will not have to give up hope yet.  You can start being test wise by paying attention to what information is given in class and what information is emphasized.  From that information, you may be able to guess what type of questions or even what format the test will have.   You should also pay attention to the types of assignments you receive and if there is a common ground between them, even how the teacher teaches can give clues as to how the test may be.

If you pay attention in class and study accordingly, the information will stay with you, or at least most of it will. It is important to stay calm and not get so anxious as this will cause memory loss.  All of it will last until the test is turned in.  The morning after the test, you are practically guaranteed to wake up remembering very little of what you learned.

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