Basic Study and Test Taking Tips

Your study place

• Make sure to have a designated study place with plenty of desk or table space.
• The study place that you choose should be free of noise and distractions.
• Always keep your study place organized. It is easy to procrastinate if your desk is messy.
• Have a glass of water or other low-calorie beverage available to keep yourself refreshed. Snacking and high-calorie drinks should be discouraged, since studying consists of sitting a lot and burning few calories.
• If you lose focus while you are studying, take a short break and return refreshed.

Reading assignments

• Before doing a reading assignment, skim through and read the headings of each section, or try to read a summary before you get started. This will help you to assimilate the information.
• Try to get a good mental image of what you are reading before you start and while you read.
• Always read the review questions before you get started. It much easier to answer questions as you go rather than going back and searching for the answers afterwards.
• Keep a dictionary handy to look up unknown words.

Note taking

• It always pays to take good notes in class, but do not try to write down every word that the teacher says.
• Instead, take notes on the most important points. You may wish to use a highlighter to emphasize important points or defitions.
• It is a good idea to write a header in the upper corner of your page to make it easier to identify and find notes on a specific topic later on.

Test Taking

• It is a good idea to know the format of test you are taking before you get started, since this may affect the method you choose when you study. So be sure to ask the teacher if you are unsure of the format.
• On multiple choice tests, make sure to read all of the choices before choosing one. If you are unsure of the answer then use the process of elimination (in other words, eliminate the answers that you know are wrong, and choose from the remaining possiblities).
• For fill-in-the-blank questions, make sure that the word you choose is the correct part of of speech (noun, verb, etc.) and the correct pluralization or conjugation to fit the flow of the sentence.
• For short answer questions, it is best to write in complete sentences and not incomplete phrases, unless specifically called for. Even if you have to repeat part of the question in your response, this will sound more professional and educated.
• For essay questions, it is definitely important to always write in complete sentences. It is acceptable to repeat part of the question in your response, but make sure not only to embellish the question, but also to provide plenty of original thought. Make sure that your essay focusses on one idea and doesn't go off on a tangient.

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