Transcript What Midterms Are - Sacred Heart Academy

Midterms
The Insider Information
TOOLS for Midterms
 5 easy steps to acing your mid-terms; an
overview of important aspects
 Try to relax
 Outline
 Organization
 Long-term Studying
 Sleep
What Midterms Are
- A midterm is a comprehensive test of everything covered
in first semester
- Not as specific as previous tests
- Focuses on general concepts and most important
points
- On the report card, midterms have their own column
- Each quarter grade is counted twice and the midterm
counted once to get first semester grade
- So, Q1+ Q1+ Q2+ Q2+ M /5 =First Semester Grade
What Midterms Are
- Midterms do affect your grades
- If they’re higher than quarter grades they can
raise final grade
- If they’re the same as quarter grades have no
effect
- If they’re lower than quarter grades they can
lower final
- Schedule of tests can be found on calendar
- School goes from 8:00 to 11:15
- No homeroom, go directly to first exam
classroom
- Have 15 minute break to eat and then relax
What to Study
-Textbook notes/highlighted points
- Reading all of the material in your text can be very
overwhelming! (don’t do this!)
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Studying old tests and quizzes is definitely helpful
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Some teachers copy and paste questions
Many teachers base their midterm questions off of
similar material, or question types.
- Class notes are the most important study material
What to Study(Teacher Sheet)
 Teachers will hand out sheets to students
outlining topics and chapters to be covered on
the exam
 Might also include important tests, quizzes,
and homework assignments that should be
reviewed
 May include types of questions that will be
on the exam such as multiple choice, fill-in,
short answer, concept map, or essay
questions
 Study guide: try to complete it if given one
Subject Specifics
English - symbols, themes, and motifs of each book read
are important
Math - try to create a practice test / practice problems to
solve on your own, make flashcards for rules and formulas,
or practice problems online (Glencoe)
Biology - review processes and cycles, make concept
maps on Inspiration, vocabulary
Languages - vocabulary and grammar, practice reading
and writing
Const Foundations -Know how a bill becomes a law
-Know the different terms of lawmakers and the president
-vocabulary
What Materials to use
- PowerPoint presentations - very useful, especially for biology!
- Try to take a small white board and marker to draw the different
process (cellular respiration, photosynthesis, etc…)
-Concept maps are useful for hitting major topics.
- Flashcards for vocabulary, dates, concepts
- Punch hole in corner and put them on binder ring
-As you study a chapter in a book, it helps to create a small outline of it
-Print it out during Christmas break and study it later on
-Teacher-given rubric of what to expect on the exam
When to Study
•Christmas break: begin studying
• Atmosphere is relaxed
• Family members can easily quiz you on different topics
• Friends may be available to get together for study groups
• Once you return to school, things get hectic
•Make sure to bring home all books, notes, and other study
materials over break
•Take a break from studying for Christmas Eve/Day
•All major studying should be done at least 2 weeks before the
exam
•The last few days before the exam, review what you’ve studied and
you will be ready to take your exam
Organization and Scheduling
 Organizing is the first step to taking midterms!
 Once organization is completed, make a study schedule
Scheduling study time helps to allot time to studying
and to stay on task
 Study continually during set study period
 Example schedule: Day 1: study A day classes Day 2:
study B day classes Day 3: study A day classes, etc.
 Dedicate the most time to trouble subjects but don’t
breeze by easy ones
 Commit to one or two chapters of each subject for each
time you study
 Do not try to study an entire semester of material at
once!
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General Study/ Memory Tips
Mnemonic Devices - simple words, phrases, or songs that help to
prompt your memory
Extremely helpful, especially if you are the kind of person that
experiences sudden blanks in the middle of tests
Study groups (with other students)
Also extremely helpful. Important especially if you have holes
in your notes.
Take turns explaining different concepts to each other,
checking whether each other is correct or not.
Stay on task!
Parental Quizzing
Ask a parent to quiz you on previous multiple choice
questions, vocabulary, etc.
Relax, if you are stressed out then you won’t be able to remember as
much.
Dealing With Stress
 Take breaks
 45/15 study method
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Study for 45 minutes, then take an ACTIVE break for 15
minutes (take a walk, do a little dance, eat a snack,
whatever you enjoy)
Don’t just nap, watch TV, or go online
Don’t bring your notes with you during your break-it has
to be a FULL break
 Don’t study for really long periods of time without a break
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You will overwork yourself
You will be more tired
You won’t absorb the information you’re studying
Less productive and wastes time
Dealing With Stress
 Try to do 1 fun thing over the weekend before midterms
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Watch an episode of a favorite TV show or movie
Eat a hot fudge sundae
Listen to your favorite CD
Don’t do too many long fun activities
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Will stress you out more and you won’t have enough time to study
sufficiently
 Make sure you study in advance
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You’re 85% more likely to remember the information if you don’t
cram
You won’t have to scramble to study and learn everything the
night before if you start over Christmas break
Make sure you understand everything
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If not, go to a teacher for help when classes resume
Write down specific questions while studying
Do not go to teacher and say “I don’t get it” without an explanation
as to what you don’t understand
Dealing With Stress
 Keep organized
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Go over all of your notes to make sure they’re complete
and in order
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Make sure you know what’s going to be on the midterm
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Write down any questions you have for the teacher
Use teacher-given exam outline
Go to teachers to make sure you’re studying the right
material and that you’re not leaving out sections or
topics you need to study, if unsure of what to study
Make your own detailed outline of what will be on the
midterm
Accordion Folder - can keep all tests and quizzes and
homework assignments in there
Keep your papers from year to year
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Might need them later on
Math, science, and languages - especially important
because these subjects build off of each other
If You’re Stressing
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Don’t try to cram
Stay calm
Study at a pace and place that are good for you
Try studying an easier subject or an easier section for a
certain subject
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Will help you to become less stressed
Will be able to understand and remember what you’re
studying
 Take a break
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*Don’t take more than a 15-30 minute break or you’ll
become more stressed
 Don’t sacrifice sleep!
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Sleep is very important-if you don’t sleep, you won’t
remember what you’ve studied
If you’ve been studying over Christmas break and the
preceding weeks before midterms, you’ll be fine
If You’re Stressing
 Eat a snack
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Something healthy: will help to re-energize you
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Crackers
Nuts
Fruit
Special treat or candy: will make you happier
 Chocolate
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Popcorn
Cookies
Favorite candy
 Make sure you’re studying somewhere where you’re not
being distracted
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Have a specific room for studying where it’s quiet and
comfortable
What to do on Test Day
 Get a good night’s sleep
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Not just on test day, but for the entire week before
Just the night before doesn’t help
Don’t stay up cramming, just review then relax
 Eat a good breakfast and buy/bring something for break
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to keep energy up
Be prepared for the exam with all materials needed
(calculator, pens, pencils, loose-leaf, etc.)
Get to school early
Before the exam take a deep breath and focus yourself
If you’ve studied you’ll be fine, don’t let stress mess you
up
Closing Notes:
 Breathe and relax!!
 Get started early
 You will do fine 