Midterms
The Insider Information
TOOLS for Midterms
5
easy steps to acing your mid-terms; an
overview of important aspects
 Try to relax
 Outline
 Organization
 Long-term Studying
 Sleep
What Midterms Are
A
midterm is a comprehensive test of
everything covered in first semester
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Not as specific as previous tests
Focuses on general concepts and most important
points
 On
the report card, midterms have their
own column
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Each quarter grade is counted twice and the
midterm counted once to get first semester grade
So, Q1+ Q1+ Q2+ Q2+ M /5 =First Semester Grade
What Midterms Are
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Midterms do affect your grades
 If they’re higher than quarter grades they can
raise final grade
 If they’re the same as quarter grades have no
effect
 If they’re lower than quarter grades they can
lower final
Schedule of tests can be found on calendar
School goes from 8:00 to 11:15
 No homeroom, go directly to first exam classroom
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Have 15 minute break to eat and then relax
What to Study
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Textbook notes/highlighted points
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Reading all of the material in your text can be very
overwhelming! (don’t do this!)
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Studying old tests and quizzes is definitely helpful
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Some teachers copy and paste questions
Many teachers base their midterm questions off of
similar material, or question types.
Class notes are the most important study material
What to Study (Teacher Sheet)
 Teachers
will hand out sheets to students
outlining topics and chapters to be
covered on the exam
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Might also include important tests, quizzes,
and homework assignments that should be
reviewed
May include types of questions that will be
on the exam such as multiple choice, fill-in,
short answer, concept map, or essay
questions
Study guide: try to complete it if given one
Subject Specifics
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English - symbols, themes, and motifs of each book read
are important
Math - try to create a practice test / practice problems
to solve on your own, make flashcards for rules and
formulas, or practice problems online (Glencoe)
Biology - review processes and cycles, make concept
maps on Inspiration, vocabulary
Languages - vocabulary and grammar, practice
reading and writing
Const. Foundations
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know how a bill becomes a law
know the different terms of lawmakers and the president
vocabulary
What Materials to Use
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PowerPoint presentations - very useful, especially for
biology!
Try to take a small white board and marker to draw
the different process (cellular respiration,
photosynthesis, etc…)
Concept maps are useful for hitting major topics.
Flashcards for vocabulary, dates, concepts
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Punch hole in corner and put them on binder ring
As you study a chapter in a book, it helps to create a
small outline of it
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Print it out during Christmas break and study it later on
Teacher-given rubric of what to expect on the exam
When to Study
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Christmas break: begin studying
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Atmosphere is relaxed
Family members can easily quiz you on different topics
Friends may be available to get together for study groups
Once you return to school, things get hectic
Make sure to bring home all books, notes, and other
study materials over break
Take a break from studying for Christmas Eve/Day
All major studying should be done at least 2 weeks
before the exam
The last few days before the exam, review what you’ve
studied and you will be ready to take your exam
Organization and Scheduling
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Organizing is the first step to taking midterms!
Once organization is completed, make a study schedule
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Example schedule:
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Scheduling study time helps to allot time to studying and to
stay on task
Study continually during set study period
Day 1: study A day classes
Day 2: study B day classes
Day 3: study A day classes, etc.
Dedicate the most time to trouble subjects but don’t
breeze by easy ones
Commit to one or two chapters of each subject for each
time you study
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Do not try to study an entire semester of material at once!
General Study/Memory Tips
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Mnemonic Devices - simple words, phrases, or songs that help
to prompt your memory
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Study groups (with other students)
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Also extremely helpful. Important especially if you have holes in your
notes.
Take turns explaining different concepts to each other, checking
whether each other is correct or not.
Stay on task!
Parental Quizzing
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Extremely helpful, especially if you are the kind of person that
experiences sudden blanks in the middle of tests
Ask a parent to quiz you on previous multiple choice questions,
vocabulary, etc.
Relax, if you are stressed out then you won’t be able to
remember as much.
Dealing With Stress
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Take breaks
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45/15 study method
Study for 45 minutes, then take an ACTIVE break for 15
minutes (take a walk, do a little dance, eat a snack,
whatever you enjoy)
Don’t just nap, watch TV, or go online
Don’t bring your notes with you during your break-it has to
be a FULL break
Don’t study for really long periods of time without a
break
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You will overwork yourself
You will be more tired
You won’t absorb the information you’re studying
Less productive and wastes time
Dealing With Stress (cont.)
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Try to do 1 fun thing over the weekend before midterms
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Watch an episode of a favorite TV show or movie
Eat a hot fudge sundae
Listen to your favorite CD
Don’t do too many long fun activities
 Will stress you out more and you won’t have enough time to study
sufficiently
Make sure you study in advance
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You’re 85% more likely to remember the information if you don’t cram
You won’t have to scramble to study and learn everything the night
before if you start over Christmas break
Make sure you understand everything
 If not, go to a teacher for help when classes resume
 Write down specific questions while studying
 Do not go to teacher and say “I don’t get it” without an explanation
as to what you don’t understand
Dealing With Stress (cont.)
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Keep organized
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Make sure you know what’s going to be on the midterm
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Go over all of your notes to make sure they’re complete and in order
 Write down any questions you have for the teacher
Use teacher-given exam outline
Go to teachers to make sure you’re studying the right material and that
you’re not leaving out sections or topics you need to study, if unsure of
what to study
Make your own detailed outline of what will be on the midterm
Accordion Folder - can keep all tests and quizzes and homework
assignments in there
Keep your papers from year to year
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Might need them later on
Math, science, and languages - especially important because these
subjects build off of each other
If You’re Stressing
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Don’t try to cram
Stay calm
Study at a pace and place that are good for you
Try studying an easier subject or an easier section for a certain
subject
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Take a break
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Will help you to become less stressed
Will be able to understand and remember what you’re studying
Don’t take more than a 15-30 minute break or you’ll become more
stressed
Don’t sacrifice sleep!
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Sleep is very important - if you don’t sleep, you won’t remember
what you’ve studied
If you’ve been studying over Christmas break and the preceding
weeks before midterms, you’ll be fine
If You’re Stressing (cont.)
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Eat a snack
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Something healthy: will help to re-energize you
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Special treat or candy: will make you happier
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Crackers
Nuts
Fruit
Chocolate
Popcorn
Cookies
Favorite candy
Make sure you’re studying somewhere where you’re not
being distracted
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Have a specific room for studying where it’s quiet and
comfortable
What to do on Test Day
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Get a good night’s sleep
 Not just on test day, but for the entire week before
 Just the night before doesn’t help
 Don’t stay up cramming, just review then relax
Eat a good breakfast and buy/bring something for break
to keep energy up
Be prepared for the exam with all materials needed
(calculator, pens, pencils, loose-leaf, etc.)
Get to school early
Before the exam, take a deep breath and focus yourself
If you’ve studied you’ll be fine, don’t let stress mess you up
Closing Notes
 Breathe
and relax!
 Get started early
 You will do fine 