Taking Tests: Final Preparation

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This article focuses on some last-minute ways to prepare for a test, including getting yourself ready physically (eating a good breakfast, for example) and mentally (reviewing your notes). Review the tips in the following sections to find out what you need to do right before your test.

Preparing Mentally and Physically

Your attitude toward test-taking has an effect on your performance. If you let yourself get upset or worry too much, you just end up wasting time. Instead, spend the time preparing. Also, if you tell yourself over and over, “I’m going to do horribly on this test” or “I’m awful at tests,” you’re likely to fulfill your own prophesy. Instead, think positively and prepare wisely. Doing so will enable you to relax.

Also make sure you get a good night’s sleep the night before the test. That means no late-night cramming! Instead, use your study time wisely so that you just need to do a final review (covered in the following section) the night of the test. Don’t put off your reading assignments, either; complete all your homework and reading assignments when they are assigned. Doing so makes sure you don’t have any leftover work to finish when preparing for a test.

Remember, too, that your brain needs nutrition. Eat a good breakfast, and if the test is in the afternoon, eat a good lunch, too. Drink plenty of fluids — juice or water. Try to avoid caffeine, especially if you tend to get nervous during test time.

Finally, breathe!

Studying the Material

Start studying well in advance of the test so that last night before the test, you can focus on reviewing just a few key areas. After this study session, you can do a last-minute review as your final preparation. In particular, consider the following focused study session (if you’ve done the detailed review discussed in Chapter 5) as your last and final review:

• Skim through your notes, both from lectures and readings. You may want to prepare a little mini-sheet that condenses all of the key information onto one study page; this is often recommended, but can take time. Do this only if you’re good at choosing the most important factors and are confident that your condensed guide will summarize enough of what you need to know.
• If your instructor provided a study guide, use that as the basis for your final quick review. This guide will include the facts and concepts that the instructor thinks are important and should provide a good basis for your studying.
• If the test includes problems to solve (math or science, for example), do a few practice problems. Think of this as a warm-up, similar to shooting some practice shots or practicing your rebounds before a basketball game.
• If the test will be an essay test, think about what questions the instructor is likely to ask. Review what you think are the main ideas. If your book includes essay or discussion questions, use them to practice. You don’t need to write the entire answer, but consider jotting down a quick outline of the answer. (See the “Essay Questions” section later in this chapter for specific skills for handling essay questions.)

Avoiding Test “Jitters”

Some people get particularly nervous before a test; some even break into hives or have panic attacks. If you think you have a case of test jitters, use the following strategies for coping: