HOW CAN YOU WIN THE TEST-TAKING GAME?
LEARN TO PREDICT WHAT WILL BE ON A TEST Listen carefully to the instructor talk about the test. Know if the test will be open or closed book, and prepare accordingly. Review textbook chapters and your lecture notes carefully. Make a good review sheet, summarizing all equations and technical terms. This will transfer information from your short-term memory to your long-term memory. PREPARE WELL FOR THE EXAM AND DEVELOP A TEST-TAKING STRATEGY Think of a test as an athletic event. The secret to winning is practice, practice, practice. Don't just skim formulas and worked problems, rewrite them! Come into the classroom early and get settled. Breath deeply and relax your muscles. Do the easiest problems first. However, try to work all the problems because partial credit is usually given for just setting-up the solution. Allow time to recheck calculations and units at the end of the test. Do not leave early just because some friends are leaving. ALWAYS ANALYZE THE TEST WHEN YOU GET IT BACK Why weren't you able to solve some problems? When/where did you study the material? Were the test results as good as you expected?
The best way to reduce test anxiety is to over-learn. Study to the point of total recall. Use any technique that will transfer information from your short-term to your long-term memory.
REMEMBER, WHEN TAKING A TEST IN MATH, PHYSICS, CHEMISTRY, ENGINEERING, OR COMPUTER SCIENCE,
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ITS NOT JUST HOW MUCH YOU KNOW ITS ALSO HOW FAST YOU CAN GO