Preparing for Exams
Before the exam...
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Organize your notes - beginning on the first day of the quarter
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Organize your time - set aside blocks of time to study
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Find out as much as you can about the exam - ask your professor, visit the Learning
Center for past exams
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Anticipate exam questions
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Study actively – summarize, write, recite, practice problems
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If you can use your laptop organize the files and charge the battery.
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If you can use a sheet of notes, create the sheet early and use it while studying.
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Think positively
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Get a good night's sleep
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Arrive on time, but not too early - listening to others cram may confuse or panic
During the exam...
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Get materials organized
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Listen for last minute instructions
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Make quick notes about facts you think you might forget
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Read all instructions and problems carefully
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Organize your time - don't spend too much time on one problem
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When finished, go back and read the directions to be sure that you followed them
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Check and double check your answers
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Utilize all the time allowed
After the exam…
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Use the exam as a learning experience
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Go back to your notes and try to answer the exam problems
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Look for a pattern in the type of problems you do very well (or very poorly) and try to
assess why this is true
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Determine which study techniques worked for you
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Discuss your performance with your professor
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Rework problems you missed
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If you are allowed to keep the exam, keep it to study for finals or for future reference.