Transcript Semester Exams

Semester Exams
Preparation Techniques, Study
Tips, &
Motivational Strategies
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How should you prepare?
Manage Your Time Efficiently
Make Academics Your Top Priority
Set Priorities for Exams
Reduce Test Anxiety
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Managing Your Time Efficiently
Make a new calendar or planner for the end of the semester and
exams
– the 2-3 weeks prior to finals
Make a Task List
– Write out all assignments, papers, projects, tests, & quizzes left in the
semester
– List all outstanding assignments & realistically the amount of time you will
need to complete them
Choose assignments to complete early
– By finishing some assignments early, you allow for more preparation time
for semester exams
– Complete reading prior to due dates & just review the information as
needed
Concentrate on finals the five days prior to each final exam
– Organize early to have everything ready so you can study efficiently the
five days before exams
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Making Academics Top Priority
Push hard at the end of the semester
– Especially the final two weeks of the term
Keep up with all work
Plan daily tasks
Schedule study hours & set daily study goals
Although the last two weeks of class can be
slower, do not slow down
– Use the lighter weeks to get a head start on the last
assignments and to organize for finals
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Setting Priorities for Exams
Look where you stand in each class
– When you know where you stand, you can determine
how much time & effort will be required
Evaluate your grades & classes
– Does the final exam have the same weight as other
tests?
– Which class do you need to spend the most time on?
Consider all options
– If you cannot improve a particular grade, would it be
better to spend more time on another class where the
effort would make a bigger impact?
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Reducing Test Anxiety
Final exams carry more value, so there is more risk
involved
– More risk can cause more anxiety
Some anxiety is normal during finals week
– Can’t eliminate all feelings of anxiety, however can keep the test
anxiety from affecting your performance on the exam
– The more you know about the exam, the more prepared you can
be for it
– If one of your finals will determine your grade, make it top priority
– Get lots of rest, eat well & plan some time to relax
– Use stress-reduction techniques to lower test anxiety, especially
if you have used this before
– Talk to your Personal & Academic Counselor if you are
concerned; discuss your concerns with your parents
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Preparation Strategies
Make a Final Exam Study Plan
Set up a Study Schedule
Prepare for Comprehensive Finals
Use Active Study Methods
Stay Motivated
Give your Best Effort
Monitor Your Progress
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Make a Final Exam Study Plan
Make a reminder sheet for each exam you
need to take
– Write the name of the class, day, date, time,
place
– Write what materials you will need to have for
the exam
– Make a note about the type of exam it will be
Examview, paper & pencil, send by attachment, etc
Essay, T/F, multiple choice, short answer
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Set up a Study Schedule
Don’t start too early
– Good use of early time would be preparing study
sheets, maps, self-tests, flash cards, organizing
notes, etc.
– Several weeks early can mean more material
covered, however may not retain if too far in advance
Space your study to aid retention
– Need to get the information into your long-term
memory in a logical & organized manner
– Learn in small amounts & review it often
You can monitor you learning & reinforce the material you
don’t know well
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Set up a Study Schedule
Split your day when preparing for several exams
– Need to prepare for several at same time
– Count back 5-6 days prior to each exam to determine
study start date (Day 3 for English may be Day 1 for
Religion)
Use a study schedule
– Actually schedule your time
Regular assignments; organizational time; preparation for
finals; review time
– Be flexible and re-evaluate daily
– Plan breaks; allow information to “sink in”
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Prepare for Comprehensive Exams
Is your final comprehensive?
What is the percentage breakdown of new
material (not tested on) versus old material
(previously tested on)
– Example – 25% of the final is comprehensive
Spend 25% of your time on the “old” material & 75% of your
time on the “new” material
Know the percentage breakdown of what will be
covered
– Example – 50% of the final is over chapters 1-12 &
the remainder of over chapters 13-16
Spend 50% of your time on chapters 1-12 & 50% of your time
on chapters 13-16
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Use Active Study Methods
Write & recite in order to move the information to your
long-term memory
Test yourself with flashcards, self-tests & recitation
If you have quality notes from the textbook and/or study
sheets with textbook & lecture material – use these to
review & draw information from
Instead of re-reading the notes, study sheets & maps,
create new ones using the originals as reference &
starting points
By making new study guides, you are reviewing the
material
Self-tests are a way to measure what you know & what
you still need to learn
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Stay Motivated
Use strategies to stay motivated
– Positive self-talk
– Reward yourself on your hardest study day
– Plan a reward for after your last final
Surround yourself with other motivated people
– Join a study group
– Avoid people who will distract you
Remember that your academic goals come first
– Reward yourself when your exams are finished
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Give your Best Effort
Work hard
Don’t try to finish early
Review your answers
Use problem-solving strategies to try to find answers to
difficult questions/problems
Concentrate on the exam you are taking (one exam at a
time)
Don’t allow your performance on another exam to
interfere with your preparation or concentration on your
other exams
– If you are upset about your performance on one exam, accept the
fact that you may not achieve your goal in that class, but don’t
give up on all your other exams/classes
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Monitor your Progress
After the exam is over, evaluate your
performance
– Write down notes about how you think you did
Note any areas where you had difficulty
– If you had problems in some areas, contact your
teacher to see how you can improve in that area for
the next semester
Review your study strategies
– If they were not effective, revise them for the next
semester
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Activities
Look for examples on Mrs. Seuc’s
webpage of:
– Final Exam Planning Calendars
– Study Schedule
– How to Set Priorities for Courses,
Plan ways to stay motivated
Talk to your counselor help with
preparation for semester exams & for
individualized ideas
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Resources
Blerkom, D. L. (2003). Preparing for final
exams. In College study skills: Becoming a
strategic Learner. Belmont, CA:
Wadsworth/Thompson Learning.
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