Q&A for How to Prepare for a Test

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  • Question
    How can I ease my anxiety before a test?
    Jai Flicker
    Academic Tutor
    Jai Flicker is an Academic Tutor and the CEO and Founder of Lifeworks Learning Center, a San Francisco Bay Area-based business focused on providing tutoring, parental support, test preparation, college essay writing help, and psychoeducational evaluations to help students transform their attitude toward learning. Jai has over 20 years of experience in the education management industry. He holds a BA in Philosophy from the University of California, San Diego.
    Academic Tutor
    Expert Answer
    Anxiety before a test is considered a physiological response, which means your fight or flight response has been triggered. The most effective way to deal with that is through resetting the nervous system. Try breathing in for four counts and out for eight counts. If you breathe out twice as long as you breathe in, even for two or three cycles, it resets the nervous system and can bring you a sense of peace and calm.
  • Question
    How do I analyze a mock or practice test?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    Start by marking your answers to figure out what you got right and what you got wrong. For the questions you got wrong, figure out why you got them wrong and take notes on what you don't understand. That way, you'll know what you need to focus on when you study. Even for questions that you got right, if you weren't confident about your answer or got the right answer for the wrong reason, you might want to go back over that material again.
  • Question
    How many minutes should I study every day?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    It really depends on what you're studying as well as the material covered on the test you're studying for. If you're taking a cumulative final exam, for example, you'll do best by reviewing for 10-15 minutes every day with an additional 20-30 minute study session each week to synthesize everything you've learned. For a smaller test that only covers a limited amount of material, you might do fine with 2-3 20-minute sessions the week of the test. Taking a practice test early on can help you hone in on how well you grasp the material and what you need to work on so you can plan appropriate study sessions.
  • Question
    How do I prepare for a test?
    Community Answer
    Study leading up to the test and focus on the most important concepts.
  • Question
    What should I eat before a test so that my brain can function?
    Community Answer
    Make sure you have a healthy, complete breakfast. Something like eggs with whole-grain bread and a banana can be good. If you drink coffee or tea, have a cup of that. Good snacks to have before your test include plain dark chocolate, nuts, and fruit. You can also take a look at How to Protect Your Mind With Brain Foods for a variety of foods and nutrients you should try to get in your diet regularly to make your brain function at its best.
  • Question
    Should I write notes with different-colored pens?
    Community Answer
    You should if it helps you to remember things. You can organize subjects with different colored pens.
  • Question
    How do I prepare for a test if it's something I never studied before?
    Community Answer
    Don't panic. Just go through the main topics of the lesson. Don't try to remember small details unless you have time.
  • Question
    How do I study for math?
    Community Answer
    You can look in the back of your math book for extra problems to practice, or you can make up your own problems and have someone check over your work.
  • Question
    What if I have done really bad in one test and you are nervous for the other?
    Community Answer
    The worst thing you could possibly do is get stressed and nervous. Ensure you study hard under the right criteria. Whatever your results will be, you will always know you tried your best.
  • Question
    What if my teacher won't allow me to take notes during class and I forget everything when I get home?
    Community Answer
    Try emailing your teacher if you have questions regarding whatever happened during class. I'm a bit surprised that your teacher doesn't allow you to take notes in class. Maybe you could ask permission to use a recording device during class so you can play it back later and refresh your memory.
  • Question
    Do you reward yourself even if you get a bad grade like an F?
    Community Answer
    You should reward yourself for studying hard, if you did so. If you didn't study enough, you shouldn't reward yourself. If you studied hard *and* got a good grade, you could reward yourself twice for each of those.
  • Question
    Is it true that cocoa can help your brain?
    Community Answer
    Yes, cocoa can help the brain and body in a number of ways. The caffeine helps stimulate your brain, and the antioxidants help keep it healthy and running well. It's best to use raw cocoa powder, as opposed to the cocoa sold at most supermarkets, which tends to have some of the beneficial nutrients removed.
  • Question
    How do I not be stressed out about a test?
    Community Answer
    You should read a book or take a break and always eat the day before the test.
  • Question
    How can I learn about three different topics in less than a half hour?
    Community Answer
    Try to study each topic for a certain amount of time. For example, you could spend 15 minutes on each topic, and use the remaining time to relax, or review information you don't understand.
  • Question
    It is possible to get an A in all subjects?
    Jackson McAfee
    Community Answer
    Of course it is! Keeping up with your coursework and using the resources available to you can dramatically change the way that you learn throughout the school year. Staying on top of your work and studying hard will put you on the path towards a perfect report card.
  • Question
    How should I balance my entertainment time, like watching videos on YouTube or Netflix? Should I quit them all during preparing?
    Community Answer
    No, you don't have to quit them entirely; sacrificing recreation will reduce your focus and productivity. Give yourself a 5 - 10 minute break every hour of studying to enjoy some screen-time, and reward yourself with a show after you're done preparing.
  • Question
    How do I understand math when I need to study for tests?
    Community Answer
    Make problems regarding the topic, or ask someone to make problems for you to solve.
  • Question
    How can I study all subjects in one week?
    Kanishka Williamson
    Community Answer
    You just need good scheduling and prioritizing. Know which subjects you are the weakest and devote more time to those. For easy subjects, just go through the key points.
  • Question
    How do I divide my schedule so I have time to prepare?
    Community Answer
    Ensure that you make time for each subject, such as 50 minutes for one subject and 50 minutes for another.
  • Question
    How should I study for a history test ?
    Victoria
    Top Answerer
    Check out Prepare for a History Exam for some advice on studying and preparing for your upcoming history test.
  • Question
    What do I do if it's the day of the test and I'm unsure about some of the questions?
    Community Answer
    Just relax and attempt all the questions that you think you know and answer the questions you think you have some doubt in it in the last. Also don't panic if you don't know the answer of that question. Just write what all things you remember that is asked in the question.
  • Question
    What makes the stress surrounding an important exam go away or be reduced?
    Community Answer
    You may be scared if the test is hard that you might fail. But once you realize that one question is easy, the stress starts to go away and you gain confidence and that makes you feel relived and good about your test. So, take baby steps and build up your confidence by answering some easy questions first, then get stuck into the harder ones.
  • Question
    What if you study before the test, but you did not study the whole week?
    Keona Hsueh
    Community Answer
    Although studying right before the test will help you remember some information, studying the whole week will increase your chances of receiving a good grade on the test.
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