Virtual Learning Commons: Prepare for my first exam

Prepare for my first exam

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Discussion Categories: Academic

The 6 steps in this "Test and Exam Preparation" handout help you prepare for tests both far in advance and when the exam is fast approaching.

Following these steps not only improves your preparedness but also calms you because you know you're on track and asking yourself the right kinds of questions.

What will I be able to do after reading this handout?	Decide how much to study for a test based on its worth, your grades and goals, and other commitments. Plan your time to meet your goals for the test. Use active review strategies such as organizing and applying the information.
When might I use this handout?	Preferably long before you write a test.
How should I use this handout?	As a guide for knowing what to expect, creating a schedule, and reviewing the information to prepare for the test.
Why should I use this handout?	To avoid feeling overwhelmed by the amount of information you are responsible for, the limited time you have to prepare, and to help you review in a way that will benefit you.

Keeping up with all the course reading is in itself a challenge, but remembering all the important information you've read and making connections between ideas are also crucial. The SQ3R Reading Strategy provides key steps in undertaking academic reading so that you can read more efficiently and effectively.

The main ideas of the SQ3R are captured in "Summary of SQ3R Reading Strategy" .

The "SQ3R Reading Strategy" handout gives an extensive overview of the strategy including examples.

What will I be able to do after reading this handout?	Read with better comprehension and the ability to make connections between sections and chapters. Test yourself on what you have read to ensure that you know what you understand and what you need to work on.
When might I use this handout?	When you get a sense that although you're reading required texts, you're not retaining key information. When you feel unmotivated and need to focus on your reading. Before falling behind in reading. Anytime.
How should I use this handout?	As a guide to better reading.
Why should I use this handout?	To improve your understanding of what you're reading and store the information in your long term memory. To waste less time reading while getting nothing out of the process.

Effective Note Taking

Listed in the table below are documents to help you improve your note taking.

Follow each link to find out more. You can work through the materials sequentially by using links at the bottom of each page.

Effective Note Taking
General Note Taking Tips
The Cornell Note Taking System

This "Writing Essay Exams" handout offers strategies and tips for writing essay tests.

What will I be able to do after reading this?	Write essay exams more confidently and efficiently.
When will I use it?	During your exam preparation. When you have had very little practice writing essay exams or feel that you are not strong at writing essay exams.
How should I use it?	As a guide for writing essay tests.
Why should I use it?	Essay exams test not only your understanding of the course material, but also your ability to organize your time so that you can competently answer all the questions. Using the information in this document can make your essay answers easier to follow and understand and will help you to economize on time when writing in a test situation.

This "Tips on Taking Multiple Choice Exams" handout gives suggestions for how to be successful when writing multiple choice exams.

What will I be able to do after reading this handout?	I will be able to use the strategies presented in the handout when writing multiple choice tests or exams.
When might I use this handout?	When you are preparing for exams. When you have had very little practice writing multiple choice exams or feel that you are not strong at multiple choice exams.
How should I use this handout?	As a guide for writing multiple choice exams. To check to see if you used the strategies listed appropriately, and to evaluate how effective they were.
Why should I use this handout?	Multiple choice exams can be both stressful and challenging. This handout will provide you with the best practices for writing multiple choice tests or exams. Knowing these best practices will help to relieve your stress and improve your score.

Footnotes

Page Content By:
Learning Assistance Centre
(Last Revised Sep 1, 2006)

Contact:
Learning Assistance Centre
lac_admin@umanitoba.ca

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