Midterm Exam Week is Monday, 1/13-Friday 1/17. As you prepare for midterms, the Student Support Team (Counseling and Learning Support) would like to share some helpful and encouraging information about testing. If you’d like to learn more about being a successful test-taker, sign up for a midterm workshop or schedule a meeting with a learning specialist or counselor.
Do you have a positive test prep and test-taking mindset?
Studying and test-taking are as much a part of the learning process as lectures, class assignments and homework. Test-taking is an opportunity not only to demonstrate your knowledge, but also to enhance your learning by identifying gaps in your understanding and ability to apply your knowledge. If you view test prep and tests as separate from learning, test-taking can feel daunting. But if you look at test-taking as a skill area (assessment and application of knowledge), you can maximize your opportunity to learn more about your material. Test prep is a skill: one that you could be working at everyday, even while in class and completing homework.
Can you make a bad grade be good for you?
Although it sometimes seems this way, a single test score (even on the ACT or SAT) will not determine your future. Your overall grade in a class, your GPA, and your college prospects are more so a culmination of how well you handle assignments and tests over time- including how effectively you respond to mistakes and setbacks, especially the dreaded low grades.
You may feel an uptick in your stress level when your score falls below your expectation or goal. Can you use this energy to take steps to improve your chances of meeting your goal next time?
Being a good test-taker involves test prep, test taking and test follow-up.
How to effectively prep for exams
Studying helps your brain take in, store, and remember information better. Active learning—when you really focus on and engage with what you’re studying—can make it easier to remember things for a longer time. Try out different study methods to see what works best for you! One of the best ways to learn is to use “distributed practice.” This means studying in shorter, more frequent sessions over a longer period, rather than cramming everything in at once. Cramming can make it harder for your brain to hold on to information, making you more likely to forget things and feel less confident about what you know. Breaks and sleep are also super important in a study routine. When you sleep, your brain works on organizing and storing memories, which helps you remember things better. Take short breaks to stay motivated and focused during study time, but save bigger breaks—like phone or TV time—for when you’re completely done.
Visit our website for additional resources and our upcoming workshop series: