Strategies for Your Academic Success
MIDTERM TEST
TAKING
STRATEGIES
Dr. John Michael Domino
Center for Academic Assistance
Florida Gulf Coast University
Strategic Review
 Organize your binder and make sure you have all of your materials –
– Gods and Goddesses
– Creation Myths
– Destruction Myths
– Heroes
 Partner up with a study buddy!!!
 Re-write AND Recite your notes daily – take frequent breaks!
 Use index cards, post notes, and color pens.
 Recite out loud - walk around the room.
 Limit TV and Internet usage (Give yourself a certain amount of time
and stick to it) Devote the rest of the time to your work!
Why is Reviewing Important?
 Review notes after class
each day – it will help you
recall facts easier.
 At the end of nine weeks,
those who reviewed their
notes within the same day
recalled about 75% of the
information.
 Those who did not review
their notes were unable to
recall even 50% of the
information after one day
and only a little more than
20% of the information
after nine weeks.
 Review while things are fresh the
same day - Don’t Procrastinate!
PROCRASTINATION
“DO IT NOW”
DONUTS
Hot, Fresh, and Tasty!
PROCRASTINATION
What happens to the same
donuts if they are left out after two weeks? .
In two weeks the donuts will become STALE and Hard to eat!
Old Stale Information
Two weeks old (or more)
 What happens to information
we learn today?
 On the same day it’s fresh!
But if we don’t take a bite of
the same information in a
few weeks it becomes fuzzy,
stale, and hard to recall.
 “Review information
the same day while it’s
still fresh and easy to
remember.”
FOCUS for Success on
Midterm Exams
 Use the F-O-C-U-S method, make it a habit!
 Focus – focus on the syllabus and study guide.
 Open – open your text and your notes daily and
become familiar with the content.
 Condense – condense notes to form study sheets.
 Understand – review material you are unsure of.
 Study – in a quiet place, such as the library.
Study with a partner, in a group, and quiz one
another based on the syllabus and study guide.
Write it Down!
 Re-write your notes
 Condense information
on index cards, post
notes, or study sheets.
 Try to re-write it in
your own words.
 Use analogies or
pictures to help you to
recall facts.
What to do now?
 Email someone so you have a study buddy or
someone to help in case you have a question as
you are studying
 Make sure you have all of your notes – If you are
missing notes – see a classmate – then see your
teacher
VISUALIZE or Re- Write notes
in Your Own Words!
Draw pictures that help you to
understand something you
seem to be struggling to
remember.
The pattern of creation:
Chaos – Old Rule – Power
Struggle – New Rule
COP –N!
What To Do Before an Exam
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Talk with successful, calm, and confident friends.
Get adequate sleep – the day before the exam.
Don’t Cram – review and condense notes..
Review all quizzes – this is essential.
Make up practice test – based on notes.
Prepare, Relax, and Think Positive!
I am Already Behind
What Else Can I Do?
 Double your efforts – Unplug the T.V.!
 Budget Time - Study & Exercise!
 Carry Flashcards with you & review often!
 Turn phone off
 Prioritize time you have now in a planner!
 Keep review and study time appointments!
CRAM with a PLAN
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Focus syllabus and study guide.
Condense important information.
Use post-notes/flash cars/study list.
Recite, recite and recite, out loud.
Sleep 8 hrs. the day before exam.
Preview - the day of the test.
Prioritize study time on Daily
Planner – use colors, symbols, etc.
 Cancel non-essential appointments.
What To Do During the Exam
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Arrive Early – sit where you feel comfortable.
Bring Bottled Water – a huge advantage!
Read Questions and Directions Carefully!
Practice breathing and exercises.
Preview exam - divide & conquer!
Prioritize time you have now in writing!
Answer multiple choice before essays.
Skip difficult questions – save them for last!
Allow a few minutes to review answers.
Test Taking Strategies
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Read the question before you look at the answer.
Come up with the answer in your head before looking at the possible answers, this
way the choices given on the test won't throw you off or trick you.
Eliminate answers you know are incorrect.
Read all the choices before choosing your answer. .
Don't keep on changing your answer, usually your first choice is the right one, unless
you misread the question.
In "All of the above" and "None of the above" choices, if you are certain one of the
statements is true don't choose "None of the above" or one of the statements are false
don't choose "All of the above".
In a question with an "All of the above" choice, if you see that at least two correct
statements, then "All of the above" is probably the answer.