How much easier would life be if we already knew what was going to be on the next test or exam? No more time spent stressing and worrying, no more cramming a year's worth of work into one day of super study and no more sleepless nights.
A really effective way to prepare for your tests and exams is to become a test psychic and start predicting (with great accuracy) what the questions will be! A simple enough idea - but you're probably thinking it would be pretty hard to execute right? Well, the answer is actually yes and no. Let's take a look at the strategy of test question prediction.
Part 1 - Identify The Sources
First of all, you need to actually focus in on what you believe will be the most important information to know for the test. There will be several sources of information that will be used to create test questions (obviously the questions won't be made up from thin air - or so you'll be hoping!).
Next, simply ask yourself where the questions are going to be coming from. The following is a list of obvious sources for any test or exam:
1. Obviously, the textbook you use will be a great source of information. However, take note of those chapters you just quickly go through (or ignore altogether) and those chapters that you seem to be spending a lot of time on. Hint!
2. If the teacher is providing you with worksheets and homework tasks there is a reason for this. Often these will be used to create questions that aren't covered in the text book.
3. Any questions that your teacher asks the class to answer or raises in class to be individually answered could be a good indicator of a likely test question. Why would you waste precious class time on subjects the teacher knows aren't important? The answer is that you wouldn't - so pay attention.
Part 2 - Talk To The Teacher
Try to develop some sort of working relationship with the teacher if you can - they are here to help you remember?
1. If you've made friends with the teacher then all you have to do is start asking leading questions. "I am really going to focus on this area or that area - what do you think about that?" If the teacher likes you they will help you rather than ignore you.
2. Find out which style the questions will be in. Is it going to be long answer, short answer, multiple choice or true/false? Will it be a combination of all of these styles? If so, which questions will make up the most marks? Clearly, the type of questions will impact on how you prepare. For example, if the questions are going to be long answer you will need to be ready to write half essays using several bits of information. If they are going to multiple choice you will need to know lots of details and facts.
3. If there is any way to get hold of past test or exam papers then do it. This will give you many hints on what has been tested in the past and how this may impact your upcoming test or exam. The style and structure of questioning may become clear and you may also notice themes or topics that often present themselves on every paper.
Part 3 - Your Review Habits
1. Have a section in your workbook that is used specifically for probable test and exam questions. So when you come across something you are pretty almost fairly 100% certain will be on a test or exam, you write it out as a question and as an answer. Later on, you can review these much more easily.
2. Highlight or underline (in pencil if needs be) information in your textbooks that you are pretty almost fairly 100% certain will be tested later. That way, when you skim through your textbook at a later time the most important information has already been identified. This should be done in addition to a mind mapping strategy.
3. Grab a group of the brainiest kids you can find and form a study group. Note: I did not say get together with your friends and gossip for half the day! This is serious! Or is it? Yes, it is. By gathering some smart cookies together you will be able to bounce ideas around and share thoughts. Often other people think of things we never even consider. This means that they are opening our minds and hopefully they are making our notes better than ever! Sharing ideas, notes and study techniques with each other is a super way to become a test psychic.
If you put any or all of these techniques into place you will become a test psychic and be able to predict with great accuracy what is going to be covered on the next test or exam. Don't delay - do it today!
A really effective way to prepare for your tests and exams is to become a test psychic and start predicting (with great accuracy) what the questions will be! A simple enough idea - but you're probably thinking it would be pretty hard to execute right? Well, the answer is actually yes and no. Let's take a look at the strategy of test question prediction.
Part 1 - Identify The Sources
First of all, you need to actually focus in on what you believe will be the most important information to know for the test. There will be several sources of information that will be used to create test questions (obviously the questions won't be made up from thin air - or so you'll be hoping!).
Next, simply ask yourself where the questions are going to be coming from. The following is a list of obvious sources for any test or exam:
1. Obviously, the textbook you use will be a great source of information. However, take note of those chapters you just quickly go through (or ignore altogether) and those chapters that you seem to be spending a lot of time on. Hint!
2. If the teacher is providing you with worksheets and homework tasks there is a reason for this. Often these will be used to create questions that aren't covered in the text book.
3. Any questions that your teacher asks the class to answer or raises in class to be individually answered could be a good indicator of a likely test question. Why would you waste precious class time on subjects the teacher knows aren't important? The answer is that you wouldn't - so pay attention.
Part 2 - Talk To The Teacher
Try to develop some sort of working relationship with the teacher if you can - they are here to help you remember?
1. If you've made friends with the teacher then all you have to do is start asking leading questions. "I am really going to focus on this area or that area - what do you think about that?" If the teacher likes you they will help you rather than ignore you.
2. Find out which style the questions will be in. Is it going to be long answer, short answer, multiple choice or true/false? Will it be a combination of all of these styles? If so, which questions will make up the most marks? Clearly, the type of questions will impact on how you prepare. For example, if the questions are going to be long answer you will need to be ready to write half essays using several bits of information. If they are going to multiple choice you will need to know lots of details and facts.
3. If there is any way to get hold of past test or exam papers then do it. This will give you many hints on what has been tested in the past and how this may impact your upcoming test or exam. The style and structure of questioning may become clear and you may also notice themes or topics that often present themselves on every paper.
Part 3 - Your Review Habits
1. Have a section in your workbook that is used specifically for probable test and exam questions. So when you come across something you are pretty almost fairly 100% certain will be on a test or exam, you write it out as a question and as an answer. Later on, you can review these much more easily.
2. Highlight or underline (in pencil if needs be) information in your textbooks that you are pretty almost fairly 100% certain will be tested later. That way, when you skim through your textbook at a later time the most important information has already been identified. This should be done in addition to a mind mapping strategy.
3. Grab a group of the brainiest kids you can find and form a study group. Note: I did not say get together with your friends and gossip for half the day! This is serious! Or is it? Yes, it is. By gathering some smart cookies together you will be able to bounce ideas around and share thoughts. Often other people think of things we never even consider. This means that they are opening our minds and hopefully they are making our notes better than ever! Sharing ideas, notes and study techniques with each other is a super way to become a test psychic.
If you put any or all of these techniques into place you will become a test psychic and be able to predict with great accuracy what is going to be covered on the next test or exam. Don't delay - do it today!
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