Preparing To Take A Test

Test Preparation

• Curriculum is designed around content and skills.
• Content is made up of important concepts and supporting evidence or facts.
• Skills are the necessary performance tasks that one must acquire for that discipline.
  
  

Steps to analyzing the study process:

1. Look at the review sheets or your notes. Make a note of the big ideas or concepts and list them on a separate sheet of paper.
2. Do the same with all the facts, terms, and details that support the concepts.
3. Make a note of what you know, understand and could teach. This is information that you only need to review before the test but do not need to study.
4. Identify the items about which you need further clarification. You will want to do something about this immediately. If you are not sure about stuff, get some help from your teacher, a classmate who is "on it," your parents, tutor, or anyone you think might help.  The point is, you want to do all this early. Identify the items you need to memorize.
5. Get clarification from your teachers, textbook or notes or another student or parent ASAP. You cannot study and remember what you don’t understand.

Steps to organize and retain the newly acquired knowledge:

1. Think about the format of the test. Will there be multiple choice, short answer or essays. Which material is likely to be a short answer or essay?
2. Review all concepts with their supporting details. Pretend you have to teach it.
3. Utilize effective memorization techniques such as paired associations, rehearsal, and episodic memory.
4. Prepare material so that it is easily reviewed - i.e. flash cards. Rehearse material while you are walking to do something else and 10 minutes before going to sleep.
5. Know your own learning profile and use it to your advantage.

Taking The Test

Understanding My Strengths and Struggles