Test-Taking — One Week Ahead

Make sure that you understand what is expected of you by taking a step back.

• What will you need to do to be in complete control of this information?
• How are you taking care of “holes” in your command of the material?
• What resources are available to you?
• Predict possible test questions and practice answering them.
• Use study guides.
• Work with a study partner(s).
• Attend study sessions/group tutoring, if available.
• If there’s a test bank in the department for this course, take practice tests (and take them more than once!).
• If it’s an open book test, take the time to prepare for it: mark key sections so you can get to key information quickly.

Put this preparation in the context of your life and your goals.

• What priority will this week’s test preparation have within the context of your week?
• Are there other things in your life that may have an impact on your performance (personal stress, social obligations, sleep difficulties, etc.)?
• What can you do to minimize that impact?
• Do you need to make this exam a higher priority than it has been? If so, what do you need to do (e.g., rearranging your schedule) to make this happen?
• Get a grip: If you’re anxious, deal with it now, before it gets worse (Controlling Test Anxiety).