What to Do Before a Test

A.  Manage Your Review Time

    1.  Daily review:  Do short reviews of material you have just learned
        and material that requires memorizaiton.  Include spots for daily
        review on a to-do list.  Begin this the first day of class.

    2.  Weekly review:  Spend 1 hour per subject--review assigned
        reading and lecture notes.  Look over mind maps and flash cards.

    3.  Major reviews:  The week before finals or other major exams,
        spend time integrating concepts and increasing your understanding
        of material presented throughout the term.  Spend 2 - 5 hours
        at a time with breaks.  When breaks no longer refresh you, it's
        time to stop!  Study your hardest subjects first.

    4.  Use a reward system for yourself for reviewing according to
        your plan.

B.  Create review tools

    1.  Study checklists:
       *List:     Reading assignments by chapter or page #
                    Major ideas, definitions, theories, formulas, etc.
                    Problems to solve
                    Math & Science:  Work all types of problems to practice
                        for the test
        *Start this list the first day of class and add to it with each class.
        *Check off items as you review them.

    2.  Flash Cards
        *Use 3"X5" cards - put a question on one side and the answer on
            the other.
        *Use for formulas, definitions, theories, key words, axioms, dates,
            hypotheses, etc.
        *Create flash cards weekly as the course progresses and at review
            time, you'll have a great set!
        *Keep the cards in the car with you--review at red lights!

C.  Plan a Stategy
    1.   Do a dry run - make up a sample test and take it; time yourself,
            simulate the test conditions
        Ask the instructor what to expect--topics, types of questions

D.  Let's Get Personal!
    1.  The night before an exam, be sure to get a good night's sleep!
            It is hard to concentrate and do your best when you are
            exhausted.

    2.  Eat at least a light breakfast--the brain cannot run without
            glucose!  Feed those neurons!

    3.  Wear comfortable clothing.  The last thing you need to be
            worried about is tight or worrisome clothing.

    4.  Be sure you have what you need to take the test, including extra
            pencils, erasers, a calculator, etc.  You may need tissue, cough
            drops, etc. as well.  Come to the test prepared!

    5.  If the test falls on a day when you are sick or have had a personal
            crisis, try to talk to the instructor about rescheduling your exam.
            You cannot do your best when under this kind of stress.  Most
            instructors will work with you, as long as you don't have 6
            grandmothers to pass away in the same semester! (This has been
            tried.)

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