Category: Test Preparation

How to Solve Word Problems

How to Solve Word Problems

Most students find math word problems difficult.   Word problems are found on must High School Exams, College Exams and a few Nursing Entrance exams like the PAX.  Tackling word problems is much easier if you have a systematic approach which we outline below. Here is the biggest tip for studying word problems. Practice regularly and [...]

What to Do When You Fail a Test

What to Do When You Fail a Test

Once, when I was a college instructor, a student came to me and asked me what he should do when he fails a test.  In other words, is there anything he can do to use that experience to propel him to better performance in the future?  I thought about the question, and several not-so-helpful responses [...]

Setting Time Priorities on a Timed Test

Setting Time Priorities on a Timed Test

Standardized tests can be a student’s worst nightmare–especially those that are timed.  If you’re not careful, the clock can become an enemy working against you as you try to get the highest score possible. Constant clock watching can be a distraction to you and may have a negative impact on performance.  Mastering proper techniques for [...]

Retaking That Big Exam

Retaking That Big Exam

Each year, tens of thousands of students take big, life-changing exams, such as the SAT or the ACT.  And every year, hundreds or thousands of students get a grade on that test which sorely disappoints them.  But what’s a person to do at that point? Many people, of course, consider retaking it.  That’s because most [...]

Why Cheating is Not a Good Test Prep Strategy

It’s the proverbial elephant in the room any time a group of students starts talking about how to get ready for the upcoming test:  The method that many of them will use is cheating. Maybe you’re even one of them.  You might be surprised to hear that this article will at no time preach at [...]

You Weren’t Born a ‘Bad Test Taker’

You Weren’t Born a ‘Bad Test Taker’

Maybe you’ve heard somebody say this.  Maybe you’ve said it yourself.  Right after doing poorly on yet another test, the person exclaims, “I know the material; I’m just a bad test-taker.”  Or even worse, “I was born a bad test-taker.” It’s true that some people are bad test-takers, but few if any people were born [...]

Beyond Studying: What Else to Do to Prepare for a Test

Beyond Studying: What Else to Do to Prepare for a Test

You already know the answer that most people will give you when you ask what you can do to prepare for a test:  “Study hard.”  It’s an annoying answer because it’s so obvious.  And even though it really is the best strategy, there are actually things that you can do beyond studying that will help [...]

Things That Could Go Wrong on Test Day–and Making Sure they Don’t

Things That Could Go Wrong on Test Day–and Making Sure they Don’t

Sometimes, doing well on a test is as much about making sure that bad things don’t happen as it is about your pre-test strategies. Let’s face it: All of us have had the experience of getting ready to go take a big test, only to have “one of those days” when everything seems to work [...]

How to Stop forgetting What You Studied When You Take the Test

How to Stop forgetting What You Studied When You Take the Test

It happens to the best of us: We study, study, study for that big test, we think we have down all the information–and then we forget it. It’s frustrating, and unfortunately, it’s not entirely preventable. However, there are steps you can take to minimize the brain freezes. Here are some things to try.

Breathing Exercises to Relieve Test Anxiety

Breathing Exercises to Relieve Test Anxiety

Test anxiety is a very real psychological phenomenon. What’s worse is that it has the potential of severely derailing your test-preparation program. That’s why many people, who have learned to perform well on tests, incorporate breathing exercises into their strategy. Here are some good breathing exercises that are perfect for the testing room. They’re perfect [...]