tips for preparing for the exams

Corporal Age : 14 Joined : 26 Apr 2008 Posts : 131

for thoses in jr.high or high school,what are some good tips for preparing for exams?
thanks

-
_________________

Subject: Re: tips for preparing for the exams Tue May 27, 2008 9:42 pm

Oh exams, they suck for all ages. College finals suck big time to so I feel your pain.

Any particular subject or just exams in general. From a psychological view point it is always very important to elaborate on your material. If you read and read your notes over again it will help, but if you read your notes and try to expand on them through your own cognitions then you will remember the material drastically better and with a lot less studying.
Another thing that will really improve retrieval of any material you are trying to remember is to make the material personal. If you link a vocabulary term to your own personal experiences or make up a story with you in it for that matter you are going to be far more likely to retrieve it when you are taking the test.
Lastly there is a well known phenomenon known as encoding specificity. Encoding specificity says that retrieval of information will be at its best when the conditions found at the time of retrieval (when you are taking your exams) match the conditions in which you originally encoded (learned) the material. This may seem stupid at first, but it really does have a profound effect on recollection. This means keep everything you can the same between studying and exam taking. If you are in a good mood while studying then try to remain in a good mood while taking a test. Everything you keep the same will help. No kidding. A recent psychological study tested this with smells. People who smelled perfume while studying did significantly better when they were able to smell the same smell while taking the exam compared to those who did not have the smell at either situation.

I know it sounds silly, but these are professional peer reviewed modalities and have been experimentally demonstrated time and time again. Good luck!

Subject: Re: tips for preparing for the exams Wed May 28, 2008 11:42 am

My biggest piece of advice that Roamer hasn't already mentioned is get plenty of sleep every night, esp. the several nights before exams that students typically cram for their tests during. It's no use staying up late and getting little to no sleep if you're not going to retain any of the information anyway. Most of the info. we retain during the day is organized and stored in our brains starting around the 5 hour mark of sleep. So if you're not getting at least 7 hours of sleep each night, good look remembering all that material you spent all night memorizing!
_________________
Never hesitate to PM me or one of my mods if you have any questions or issues!
Team Juggernauts: Logan, Ohio

Corporal Age : 14 Joined : 26 Apr 2008 Posts : 131

okay.now i don't do this but i have friends that do.is it a good idea to drink energy drinks before the test? i tell my friends that when u do that,u might be wide awake during the test,but i also tell them that u will carsh after the energy drink wears off. i know that personally myself. i have seen it happen at a test. so is it a good idea?
_________________

Subject: Re: tips for preparing for the exams Wed May 28, 2008 5:52 pm

Another great tip: This is actually my best tip, so I don't know why I waited. It is also grounded in cognitive psychology too (I am sure you are all thrilled).
Put time between your study sessions. It is sooo much better to study 15 minutes a day rather than an hour a day. This also says that cramming for an exam is a horrible way to study. It is better than nothing, but you will do so much better if you put space between your study times.

Subject: Re: tips for preparing for the exams Wed May 28, 2008 10:07 pm

i hate exams to. this week is exam week but no pressure because i am trying to thing positive on things. Very Happy

biology is the worst for me.
_________________

Subject: Re: tips for preparing for the exams Wed May 28, 2008 10:14 pm

im an A student i can fail my exams and pass, but i still freak out my worst class is geometry
_________________
Abandon all hope, yea who crosses me

Subject: Re: tips for preparing for the exams Thu May 29, 2008 9:07 am

geometry sucks. The AP calculus test got me out of all of my math courses required for a doctorates degree in college... and I still hated geometry. Freakin proofs!

Corporal Age : 14 Joined : 26 Apr 2008 Posts : 131

Subject: Re: tips for preparing for the exams Thu May 29, 2008 10:24 pm

i also hate proofs. they want me to look for one word in the whole geometry language.
_________________

Subject: Re: tips for preparing for the exams Fri May 30, 2008 9:44 am

the AP calculus test was a very good thing sniperL96. B/c of that I don't have to take any math in college Smile

Subject: Re: tips for preparing for the exams Fri May 30, 2008 11:01 am

i am so happy because school is out for the summer.
_________________

Subject: Re: tips for preparing for the exams Fri May 30, 2008 12:19 pm

I hear all of this talk of hating math....

So, if you are wanting to be an engineer, get ready for math. Idea

I do it all day every single day.

The trade off is the paycheck in the end. bounce

Corporal Age : 14 Joined : 26 Apr 2008 Posts : 131

Roamer: oh,i thought u meant that it made it so u cant go to college.
_________________

Captain Age : 13 Joined : 21 May 2008 Posts : 416

I hate exams Math especially .

Corporal Age : 14 Joined : 26 Apr 2008 Posts : 131

can someone answer my my question about the engery drink
_________________

Captain Age : 13 Joined : 21 May 2008 Posts : 416

They make you tired .