“ACE” THE EXAM
TIPS FOR COMPLETING
EVALUATIONS SUCCESSFULLY
PCSS Student Success
Topics
1.
2.
3.
Prepare - Get ready
Study – Tips and Strategies
Action- Complete the Evaluation
1. Prepare
PREPARE, PREPARE, PREPARE


Let your family and friends know
you have homework and study
priorities
Spend time getting yourself and
your materials organized – be sure you have
notes and review sheets from class
1. Prepare
4

Create a study schedule
by using a calendar
 Put the exam dates in first
 Block off other commitments such as
classes, work, and family time
 Now, in all the time remaining for
study and exam prep, put in your exam
subjects in chunks of up to 50 minutes
2. Study
5
It is best to study in chunks of 20 to 50
minutes – then take a 5 to 10 minute break
 During your break, give your eyes and brain a
rest – do something active like walking
outside, stretching, or a short burst of
exercise
 Set an alarm to remind you when your break
is over

2. Study



AVOID distractions. Your brain needs
all its focus and power to understand
and remember your subject material
Keeping the TV on,You tube open, or texting your
friends will NOT help you study or remember
subject material. Music is also a distraction.
Remember, powerful study strategies will help you
be successful. There will be time to relax and be
social when your exams are completed
2. Study


Use the tips and review sheets that your
teacher has prepared – they will help you
spend time on what you need to know
Break it down: What do I need to
memorize and what can I figure out?
2. Study


The best strategy to rehearse and store
info can be found when you ask yourself
“How am I going to remember this?”
You will need to look at, think about,
play with, and work with the information.
Your brain will be ACTIVE.
2. Study – Strategies to try

Flash cards – make your own and then test
yourself
Read information then summarize out loud
- no peeking!
 Read information then write it down in
short form

2. Study – More strategies
Read information then draw a diagram or flow
chart
 Transform it – if it’s visual, make it verbal, if it
is verbal, make a diagram
 Look at topics that you struggled with in
previous tests and quizzes and focus on fixing
the gaps

2. Study - Memory Techniques



Make a word with the first letter of the words you
need to know
 Example:: HOMES can represent The Great Lakes
– Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, Superior
Make a sentence with the first letters of each word
representing a letter
 Example: Every Good Boy Deserves Fudge
(EGBDF – lines on musical staff)
Be creative – make a poem with words you need to
remember
2. Study

Look after yourself




Eat healthy foods such as fruit,
vegetables, whole grains and
protein
Limit the caffeine and sugar you
consume
Get plenty of rest
Don’t stay up all night trying to
cram before the exam – it
won’t work!
3. Action – Completing the Evaluation



Bring your tools to the exam such as pen, pencil,
calculator, ruler, eraser
No electronic devices are allowed in the exam
room unless the teacher has specified a particular
device
Leave your coat, cell phone and backpack in your
locker – you will be more comfortable without
extra things
3. Action – Completing the Evaluation
When you get your exam, check to make sure
all the pages are there
 Look over the format and notice the
suggested times for each section
 Read the instructions carefully and note
where you answers must be placed

Relax and Breathe – you
studied and you are ready!
3. Action – Completing the Evaluation




Start with questions you know best – you will gain
confidence for more difficult sections
Be sure to note if there is a choice of questions to
complete
In multiple choice, narrow down the choices by
rejecting ones you know are incorrect
Always select your best answer in multiple choice
– don’t leave any blank
3. Action – Completing the Evaluation


Keep an eye on the time; don’t spend too much
time on one section.You can always come back to
a difficult question later
When you are done, go back and check over all
your answers
“Ace” the Exam

Don’t stress when the time is done.You
have done your best and now you can
relax
“Ace” the Exam
PCSS Student Success



Congratulations – You have taken the first steps to
completing your evaluations successfully by viewing
this slide show
Use your strategies and tips for all your future
exams, tests and quizzes
Good luck with tests and exams – but if you are
prepared, you won’t need the luck!!!