Slide 1Slide 2Slide 3Slide 4Slide 5Slide 6Slide 7Slide 8Slide 9Slide 10Slide 11Slide 12Slide 13Slide 14Slide 15Slide 16Slide 17Slide 18Slide 19Slide 20Slide 21Slide 22Slide 23Slide 24Exam Preparationand PerformanceJennifer ZimmermanAssistant DirectorAcademic Resource CenterMercer Universityhttp://faculty.mercer.eduWhen Do You Start Studying for an Exam?On the first day of class! How?Read your syllabus with a fine tooth combWrite in your exam schedule on your semester plannerStay on top of your coursework from that day forwardNever Stop Studying for the ExamDo all your work thinking about how you can make it easier to study for your next and final examsDesign your notes so that they can easily be reduced into useful study summariesListen in class so you know exactly what will be on the testTake time to generate questions that will help you recite and reflect on the material to be testedRecord – make notes legible and completeReduce – write questions, cues, and vocabulary in cue column; prioritize with silver dollar system (Pauk, p. 114)Recite – test self with verbal or written exercises based on cue column and summaryReflect – expand and analyze implications; generate searching questionsReview – utilize summary to locate selected topics for repetitive recitationUse Cornell Method Notes and Follow these Study Steps:StepsReadConvert to a questionTestBenefitsInvolvedFeedbackMotivationDistinctionsMore than re-readingCultivates recall over and above simple recognitionRecitation as a Rehearsal StrategyCreate Summary Sheets that:Fold over to display questions and cover up answers (or use index cards) – repetition and recitationFocus on silver dollar prioritizations, summaries, and some cue questions - reductionRelate to questions that are of particular interest to you – reflectionMotivationConceptual organizationtopicalcategoricalPauk, p. 355http://muskingum.edu/~cal/database/Testprepg.htmlVisual OrganizersUse your own words and representationsOrganize to reduce information to a manageable amount without losing conceptual depthPrepare tools for rehearsal strategiesCARDS (Nist & Holschuh, pp. 225-8)Concept maps and chartsCompare/contrast chartsFlow ChartsTime linesFishbone mapsSpider mapsWord mapsFrayer modelsColor coded noteshttp://muskingum.edu/~cal/database/Testprepb.htmlMemorization TechniquesAssociation – link new information to prior knowledge or experiencesRehearsal – use different learning modalitiesRelevance – make the information meaningful to your personal beliefs or to a broader understanding of the courseMnemonics – if you are an auditory learner, use songs instead of simple lists or wordsClustering – give in to the 7 plus or minus 2 rule and find logical groupings that streamline what you have to memorizeSelf-testing – practice putting yourself in a testing situationhttp://muskingum.edu/~cal/database/Testprepb.htmlBe Prepared to Get the Most Out of a Study GroupLegible notes and summary sheets can be shared Pre-defined questions will expedite group study sessionsQuestions written at the time that material is first learned will be more accurate memory refreshersComparing questions will allow the group to quickly identify different and/or erroneous interpretations of the subject materialPartner testing involves teaching, a more reflective method than recitation Verbal elaboration promotes long term memory retentionExplanations require the speaker to understand the topic being discussedStudy group partners must expect each other to operate at a high level of thinkingWhy Study in Groups?Find out first:Format – objective or subjectiveValue and lengthTime and place it will be given – make-up policyTopic, chapters, and readings coveredFocus on class lecture, readings, and/or labOpen-book or closed-bookCheat sheets allowedSpecial tools allowed or requiredWho will grade the examWill partial credit be givenWill spelling and grammar mistakes count against gradeAnticipate the Testhttp://muskingum.edu/~cal/database/Testprepc.htmlStart studying 3-4 days prior to the test with the following completedReadingStudy materials such as summary sheets, concept cards, timelines, etc.List of important concepts that will appear on the testStudy plan spelling out howwith whomwhenwherePrepare DeliberatelyGive Yourself a Healthy EdgeRelax the night before the examDo not cramGet at least 6 hours of sleepGet up early (as much as 3-4 hours) the day of the examShower, eat breakfast, and take a brisk walk to focus your concentrationReview notes, books, and study materialsTake a pen, your notes, and books to the testing site so you can study Take your watch if you prefer to use it to track your timeWhen you receive the exam, take a deep breath and relaxRead, analyze, and follow test instructionsWrite legibly, use a pen, and leave extra space so that the grader can read your exam easilyStart the Test on the Right FootScan the entire testCheck contentCircle key words and underline important phrasesGauge relative values of questions based on assigned point valuesAnswer questions you are sure of firstOnly write down answers that are correct so you will return to uncertain questions laterBuild your confidence and let your memory trigger recall of other informationApproach the Test CarefullyCalculate how much time you will need to review the testSpend the appropriate amount of time on each question based on point valueMove on and finish the test and come back later to questions left unfinishedPace YourselfPay attention to interrelated statements and questions that could help you recall information for other questionsAnswer every question even if you have to guessGuess only after you have answered every question that you canUse common sense in your guesses, but also stay on topic Don’t Give Up on Any QuestionsSave enough time at the end of the exam to review your answersMake corrections and additions in the extra space you left around your answersCheck that you have understood the questions correctlyCheck that your answers are accurate and completeTake a Final Look at Your WorkBehavior Olympic Gold Medalist Master Test Taker devises plan based on a specific goal