Preparing for the semester exam

Doing well on semester exams is not luck; it is the result of knowledge and effort.

Here are a few tips on preparing for final exams:

1 – Manage your time efficiently

• Use a final exam planning calendar listing all assignments, projects and exams that must be completed before the semester ends
• List realistically the amount of time needed to complete any outstanding work
• Begin reading and review; schedule time on your planning calendar

2 – Make Academics Your Top Priority

• Don’t make the mistake of resting up before finals; this is the time to push hard
• Break down tasks, switch subjects, plan rewards to maintain motivation
• Decide what you can postpone in your life until after finals

3 – Set Priorities for Exams

• Reevaluate academic goals
• Look closely at where you stand in each class; determine which exams need more effort
• Know what score you need on the exam to achieve your goal
• Never give up on any class!!
• Setting priorities can improve your GPA

4 – Reduce Test Anxiety

• Some anxiety is normal
• Keep feelings of anxiety from interfering with your performance
• The more prepared you are, the less anxious you will feel
• Breathing exercises can reduce feelings of anxiety

5 – Make a Final Exam Study Schedule

• Set up a Study Schedule; be specific
• A Five-Day Study Plan is proven to work well; studying too early is inefficient; too late means too little retention
• Space your studying out
  • Study one “chunk” of material per study session; include a review of the previous section studied during that session
  • Cramming 15 chapters into one long session will cause partial knowledge of the material
  • Multiple sessions = repetition = increased retention
• Split your day to prepare for multiple exams
  • Use your study schedule
  • Prepare for more than one exam at a time
  • Cover one subject for a period of time; take a break; study another subject for a period of time; change subjects again; go back to the first subject, etc.
  • Make sure to schedule breaks for a reasonable amount of time; remembering to keep on schedule
  • Study sessions are best at 50 minutes or less per subject; take a 10 minute break in-between sessions

6 – Know the break down of new versus old material that will be on the exam

• If the exam is 25% comprehensive (25% over old material and 75% new material) then spend 25% of your time on the previous material and 75% on recent material
• If the exam is 50% comprehensive, split your time 50-50 by spending 50% of your time on the older material and 50% of your time on the new material
• And so on for any other percentage break downs.

 

REMINDER – Make a plan and stick with the plan.  If you get off course, it is never too late to get back on track.

 

Source:http://portal.chaminade-stl.com/Default.aspx?tabid=4854