How much easier would life be if we already knew what was going to be on the next test or exam? No more time spent stressing and worrying, no more cramming a year's worth of work into one day of super study and no more sleepless nights.
A really effective way to prepare for your tests and exams is to become a test psychic and start predicting (with great accuracy) what the questions will be! A simple enough idea - but you're probably thinking it would be pretty hard to execute right? Well, the answer is actually yes and no. Let's take a look at the strategy of test question prediction.
Part 1 - Focus On What Is Important
There is no point studying anything that isn't on the test - but how do you know what will be on the test? Well, it's all about common sense. What do you think will definitely be on the test? What do you think might be on the test? What do you think probably won't be on the test? What do you think definitely won't be on the test? This process of questioning will help you identify that which you need not spend any time worrying about and also that which you should focus on.
We won't make you figure this out alone. Take a look at this list of likely sources:
1. Obviously, the textbook you use will be a great source of information. However, take note of those chapters you just quickly go through (or ignore altogether) and those chapters that you seem to be spending a lot of time on. Hint!
2. If you are given worksheets or homework tasks that are not covered in your text this may be a clue about the importance the teacher places on the topic.
3. If you spend a lot of time in class going over particular areas you can rest assured they will be on the next test or exam. Teachers never waste class time with topics that aren't going to be covered in an assignment, test or exam in some way.
Part 2 - Keep Your Friends Close and Your Enemies Closer
Making friends with the teacher is one your biggest weapons - if executed correctly. Teachers will always reward those who try hard and give their best effort - and also those who are respectful towards them. It is human nature - and teachers are humans remember! (We think)
1. If you've made friends with the teacher then all you have to do is start asking leading questions. "I am really going to focus on this area or that area - what do you think about that?" If the teacher likes you they will help you rather than ignore you.
2. Ask the teacher what format the questions will be in. True/false? Multiple choice? Short answer? Long answer essay style? Combination mix up? Obviously, the way in which a test is structured will impact on the way you study for it and what you need to have down pat. If it's long answer, you need to be ready to write like a maniac. If you know its multiple choice you need to know lots of stacks of facts. Simple really!
3. Get hold of past tests or exams. These are usually invaluable resources - not simply because they show you how hard or easy past tests may have been - but also because they show you the format and structure that have been used in the past and what areas the teachers have focused on. Bonus tip: you don't always need to fall into the trap of going through each question on past test papers, just use them as a guide because it's extremely unlikely the questions on your test will be the same as past tests.
Part 3 - Plan Ahead
1. Create a specific area in your workbook or have a set of notes that you use for listing possible test and exam questions. Every time you hear or see something that you believe may be on the next assessment simply jot it down. This means that you will have created a list of thoughts and ideas that you will be able to easily look over at a later time - often this will contain topics you had forgotten about!
2. Highlight or underline (in pencil if needs be) information in your textbooks that you are pretty almost fairly 100% certain will be tested later. That way, when you skim through your textbook at a later time the most important information has already been identified. This should be done in addition to a mind mapping strategy.
3. Create a study group. This means getting together with a group of buddies (or even people who you think will be able to help you with your study i.e. possibly not your friends!) and brainstorm together possible questions and answers to future tests and exams. Two heads are always better than one. Three are better than two, four are better than three - and so on. The point is, as a study group you will be able to study for more information that one person can alone. So, you may like to all create your own mind maps, notes and questions and answers and then share them with each other (possibly by photocopying the work). This will put you well ahead of those people who do not create study groups and is a very powerful way to quickly become a test psychic.
If you put any or all of these techniques into place you will become a test psychic and be able to predict with great accuracy what is going to be covered on the next test or exam. Don't delay - do it today!
A really effective way to prepare for your tests and exams is to become a test psychic and start predicting (with great accuracy) what the questions will be! A simple enough idea - but you're probably thinking it would be pretty hard to execute right? Well, the answer is actually yes and no. Let's take a look at the strategy of test question prediction.
Part 1 - Focus On What Is Important
There is no point studying anything that isn't on the test - but how do you know what will be on the test? Well, it's all about common sense. What do you think will definitely be on the test? What do you think might be on the test? What do you think probably won't be on the test? What do you think definitely won't be on the test? This process of questioning will help you identify that which you need not spend any time worrying about and also that which you should focus on.
We won't make you figure this out alone. Take a look at this list of likely sources:
1. Obviously, the textbook you use will be a great source of information. However, take note of those chapters you just quickly go through (or ignore altogether) and those chapters that you seem to be spending a lot of time on. Hint!
2. If you are given worksheets or homework tasks that are not covered in your text this may be a clue about the importance the teacher places on the topic.
3. If you spend a lot of time in class going over particular areas you can rest assured they will be on the next test or exam. Teachers never waste class time with topics that aren't going to be covered in an assignment, test or exam in some way.
Part 2 - Keep Your Friends Close and Your Enemies Closer
Making friends with the teacher is one your biggest weapons - if executed correctly. Teachers will always reward those who try hard and give their best effort - and also those who are respectful towards them. It is human nature - and teachers are humans remember! (We think)
1. If you've made friends with the teacher then all you have to do is start asking leading questions. "I am really going to focus on this area or that area - what do you think about that?" If the teacher likes you they will help you rather than ignore you.
2. Ask the teacher what format the questions will be in. True/false? Multiple choice? Short answer? Long answer essay style? Combination mix up? Obviously, the way in which a test is structured will impact on the way you study for it and what you need to have down pat. If it's long answer, you need to be ready to write like a maniac. If you know its multiple choice you need to know lots of stacks of facts. Simple really!
3. Get hold of past tests or exams. These are usually invaluable resources - not simply because they show you how hard or easy past tests may have been - but also because they show you the format and structure that have been used in the past and what areas the teachers have focused on. Bonus tip: you don't always need to fall into the trap of going through each question on past test papers, just use them as a guide because it's extremely unlikely the questions on your test will be the same as past tests.
Part 3 - Plan Ahead
1. Create a specific area in your workbook or have a set of notes that you use for listing possible test and exam questions. Every time you hear or see something that you believe may be on the next assessment simply jot it down. This means that you will have created a list of thoughts and ideas that you will be able to easily look over at a later time - often this will contain topics you had forgotten about!
2. Highlight or underline (in pencil if needs be) information in your textbooks that you are pretty almost fairly 100% certain will be tested later. That way, when you skim through your textbook at a later time the most important information has already been identified. This should be done in addition to a mind mapping strategy.
3. Create a study group. This means getting together with a group of buddies (or even people who you think will be able to help you with your study i.e. possibly not your friends!) and brainstorm together possible questions and answers to future tests and exams. Two heads are always better than one. Three are better than two, four are better than three - and so on. The point is, as a study group you will be able to study for more information that one person can alone. So, you may like to all create your own mind maps, notes and questions and answers and then share them with each other (possibly by photocopying the work). This will put you well ahead of those people who do not create study groups and is a very powerful way to quickly become a test psychic.
If you put any or all of these techniques into place you will become a test psychic and be able to predict with great accuracy what is going to be covered on the next test or exam. Don't delay - do it today!
About the Author:
HelpMeToStudy.org is the number one resource for learning new study skills, transforming your study habits and discovering the best study tips available. We will help change the way you think about study - and even better - we will show you how to study effectively: How To Study Effectively | Studying Tips
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