Many highly intelligent students do not perform to potential, while others overachieve. Why is this? It is because many highly motivated students develop “street smarts” or superior test taking skills. - Good test taking skills start with confidence and positive self-talk. If you go into a test telling yourself that you will probably fail, you probably will! Tell yourself how smart you are and how well you know the material, and you will do much better.
- Successful students try to predict the instructor’s questions in advance by reviewing their notes to see what was emphasized, and by obtaining by any means necessary, copies of old exams. The old exams are analyzed for both format, and key concepts that are “near and dear” to the instructor’s heart and will likely show up again.
- Good test taking skills also involves not making careless errors. Good test takers read over the entire test before beginning, and work the easy ones first. Working the easy problems gives you maximum points before you get to the ones that may bog you down. This also means you are assured of so many points and can tackle the harder problems with more confidence. Make sure that you don’t leave any questions blank, most teachers give partial credit if you are at least on the right track.
- After completing a test, the successful student then carefully reviews it to catch any missed points or careless errors. Many a test disaster has been averted in this way, so be sure to allow enough time at the end for this step.
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