Prep Test
Getting through your first exams
The
only thing harder than making it into college is getting through the
first exams (someone cue the horror movie music please). Since homework
and participation are not usually factored into college grades, exams
can make or break your final average.Think you're ready? Take our quiz to see just how prepared you are for the worst week of the semester.
1. I started studying for this exam:
A) 1 week in advance
B) 1 month in advance
C) Since class began
If you answered C, you're on your way to an A. The best way to prepare for an exam is by keeping up with assignments and reviewing notes throughout the course of the semester. Students who exhibit good study habits from day one gain a more thorough comprehension of the subject and perform better on tests than those who cram the night before.
2. The most important day of class is:
A) Test day
B) In-class review day
C) The first day
Answer: A…everyone knows that. Test day is a top priority, but showing up for the in-class review comes in a close second. The in-class review session (typically the day before the exam) is your time to ask questions directly to the person who wrote the test, so make it count. Come prepared with a list of thoughtful questions and with all textbooks, handouts, and notes the class requires.
3. I reviewed the course material:
A) Alone
B) With a friend or in a study group
C) With the professor
D) All of the above
Answer: D. This one's a no-brainer. How you learn and who you learn with are crucial parts of the exam preparation process. Glancing over someone else's notes, bouncing ideas off of friends, and asking your class poignant questions is just as important as studying on your own. To get a review session started, pick a date, time, and quiet place (say the library), and then ask your professor to make an announcement.
You've studied, you've reread everything, and you've aced our quiz. Now all that's left to do is pack a watch and some extra pencils the night before, get plenty of sleep, and wake up in time to get to your testing room with a few minutes of last second cramming to spare. Stay calm, stay focused, and stay confident….after all, it's just a test.
Christina Couch is a freelance writer based in Richmond, Virginia. She is the author of Virginia's Complete College Resource (Palari Publishing, 2007). Her byline can also be found on Aol.com, Msn.com, Yahoo! Finance, and the Christian Science Monitor. She can be contacted at couchcs@gmail.com.
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