For example, if you have a test on April 30, you might plan study sessions on the 29th, 28th, 25th, 22nd, 18th, and 15th. Notice that the dates are going backward from the exam date, so your first study session is on the 15th, 2 weeks before the exam. If you haven’t yet covered all the material that will be on the exam by your first study session, don’t worry about it! Just focus on what you have covered and add the other material in as you get to it.
If you need to have a couple of study sessions in a row, plan a break of at least 10-15 minutes in between. That allows your brain to rest and process what you’ve studied.
For example, if you planned 6 study sessions, you might take a practice test the first session, then spend the next 2 sessions on the material you had problems with in the practice test. Then, you could take another practice test and reassess your knowledge to plan the rest of your sessions.
If there’s not a good place to study at home, you might study in the library instead. Many libraries have study carrels or rooms you can sign up to use. Take regular study breaks during each session and do something relaxing. This allows your brain to take a rest. [3] X Expert Source Jai FlickerAcademic Tutor Expert Interview. 20 May 2020.
If you have a recording related to the material you’re studying—perhaps you found a related podcast or recorded your teacher’s lectures—you might listen to that while you’re walking to further reinforce your knowledge.
Don’t neglect areas you’re strong in! You still need to review those areas—you just don’t need to spend as much time on them. Try to take your test under simulated test conditions. For example, if you only have an hour to complete the test, set a timer for one hour before you begin. You might even get a friend or family member to “proctor” your practice test for you.
For example, waiting in line is the perfect time to go through a few flashcards. You can also give your flashcards to a friend or family member so they can quiz you.
You might also look into computer apps that help you construct mind maps and other study tools. Many are available for free while others require a subscription. Just search online or ask your teacher if they know of any apps they might recommend.
If you find that you stumble over something when you read aloud, it might be that you aren’t that familiar with that concept yet. Go over it again until you understand it.
Younger children are great for this because you’ll need to explain more advanced concepts to them using language they’ll understand. Putting terminology into your own words like this can help you uncover things you might not completely understand about the material.
For example, if you have a history test on the French Revolution, one of your questions might be “What motivated the people who originally revolted against the French king?” As another example, if you have a math test, you might create your own math problems to solve based on the formulas introduced in your class. If you have access to your teacher’s old tests, use those to get an idea of the types of questions your teacher typically asks. That’ll make it easier to come up with your own questions.
Don’t forget to include a little time to socialize as well! For example, you might get some classmates together to study for 30 minutes, then watch the latest episode of a TV show you all enjoy.
Most teachers offer review sessions within a week of the test or after all the material to be tested has been covered in class. Sometimes these are regular class sessions, but they might also be offered at a different time.
It’s a good idea to try to go to bed a little earlier than you normally do the night before the test. Do something relaxing before bed, such as taking a bath. You might find it hard to fall asleep, especially if you’re nervous about the test—and that’s normal! But avoid taking a sleeping pill, which could make you groggy the next day.
If you normally have a cup of coffee in the morning, don’t skip it before the test—you don’t want caffeine withdrawal to hamper your performance. At the same time, don’t over-indulge. Too much caffeine can make you jittery and unfocused, so limit yourself to a single cup. [16] X Research source
If you’ve never been to the testing location before, you might want to do a dry run so you’re more familiar with the area and know how to get there.
Continue breathing this way for 3 to 5 minutes, keeping your focus solely on your breath. If you find that your mind wanders or you start worrying about the test, gently pull your mind back to your breath.
