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Test-Taking Strategies

Success on exams requires three strategies: preparation, engagement, and reflection.

Preparation - Before the test:

Consistent study and preparation are significantly more effective than last-minute cramming. You need time to absorb information and make deep connections between concepts. Learning is an active process, so make sure you are using active strategies (not just listening, reading, watching videos, etc.)

  • Schedule daily, weekly and major review sessions (see our learning strategies for students for tips.)
  • Create a summary sheet or concept map - rather than re-reading your class notes, use them to summarize the big ideas. Develop a concept map to build your understanding of connections between these big ideas.
  • Take a practice test if it is available. Treat it like a test and grade it accurately. Use the results to identify areas you need to focus more review and study.
  • Anticipate questions that will be asked on the exam and plan answers to these questions. If possible, try writing your own exam questions - even developing the incorrect answers for simple multiple choice questions can help you identify possible mistakes to avoid.
  • Go into the exam as rested as possible. The brain is part of the body and if you are tired, so is your brain.

Engagement - During the test:

Test-taking is an active process in which you should be using your allotted time to demonstrate as much of your learning as possible. If you suffer from test anxiety, use this research-proven technique: A few minutes before you take the exam, write down all the things you are worried about (related to the exam or not) on a piece of paper and then crumple it up and throw it away. This can help remove these worries from your working memory and has been shown to positively impact test scores!

  • Take the first minute to look through the entire test. What questions look easy and fast? Do those first - early successes can help calm you down and increase your confidence. Which questions look like they will need some time? Consider doing those in the middle when you won't be rushed. Save the ones you're not sure of for the end. This way you won't spend a lot of time on a problem you don't know at the expense of time you can spend on problems you do know how to solve.
  • Take a few deep breaths and relax tense muscle - repeat throughout the test
  • Read directions carefully - ask questions, if possible. If you can't ask questions during the test, make a note about what assumptions you are making to solve the problem.
  • Manage your time and keep an eye on the clock.

Reflect - After the test:

This is the most important part - learn from your mistakes! We are all tempted to glance at our test scores and then move on, but it's important to use your exams (and homework) as feedback on what you are doing well and what needs to be improved.

  • Look over your exam and figure out what mistakes were made. How can you avoid these mistakes in the future? What concepts do you need to review before the next exam? What small errors compounded to make you lose points? What strategies will you use to avoid those errors?
  • Use our "Assess Your Quiz/Exam" tool to diagnose errors and identify strategies to improve.
  • Identify which study strategies are working for you and which ones need to be revised, discarded, or added.
  • Discuss items you did not understand with your instructor or TA.