Q&A for How to Pass a Test

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  • Question
    How can you successfully deal with sections that test reasoning skills?
    Jake Adams
    Academic Tutor & Test Prep Specialist
    Jake Adams is an academic tutor and the owner of Simplifi EDU, a Santa Monica, California based online tutoring business offering learning resources and online tutors for academic subjects K-College, SAT & ACT prep, and college admissions applications. With over 14 years of professional tutoring experience, Jake is dedicated to providing his clients the very best online tutoring experience and access to a network of excellent undergraduate and graduate-level tutors from top colleges all over the nation. Jake holds a BS in International Business and Marketing from Pepperdine University.
    Academic Tutor & Test Prep Specialist
    Expert Answer
    You do not have to see just what matches your answer but instead critically look at each answer choice. You can utilize these rules to eliminate the wrong answers. If there is something that is not from the passage in the answer choice, it's the wrong answer. The next is to see if there are overstatements or the use of overly exclusive or inclusive language. If you find things that hint at saying that everybody likes this, or nobody likes this idea, it is probably not the correct answer. So extreme answer choices are often wrong. The last would be to try and avoid social tautologies. These are things that sound good. For example, they may say the moral of the story is don't commit a crime or don't steal. That is probably the wrong answer. The things that sound right are ultimately irrelevant.
  • Question
    How can students transition from homeschool to regular school?
    Jake Adams
    Academic Tutor & Test Prep Specialist
    Jake Adams is an academic tutor and the owner of Simplifi EDU, a Santa Monica, California based online tutoring business offering learning resources and online tutors for academic subjects K-College, SAT & ACT prep, and college admissions applications. With over 14 years of professional tutoring experience, Jake is dedicated to providing his clients the very best online tutoring experience and access to a network of excellent undergraduate and graduate-level tutors from top colleges all over the nation. Jake holds a BS in International Business and Marketing from Pepperdine University.
    Academic Tutor & Test Prep Specialist
    Expert Answer
    Many bridge programs help homeschooled students to experience the classroom environment and interact with peers. University campuses offer summer bridge programs where high school students who have over 3.0 can attend classes at the university level with other college students. Besides this, local colleges offer a writing grammar workshop and a science workshop for high school students. Homeschoolers can study in high school classes there. The grad school students work there with a small group and teach to get their teaching hours.
  • Question
    How do you keep from being nervous during 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
    Deep breathing can be really helpful in calming your nerves during a test. Whenever you start to feel anxious, pause and breathe in for 4 counts, then out for 8 counts. Repeat this cycle until you feel calm again.
  • Question
    How can I be better prepared for my exam?
    Ted Coopersmith, MBA
    Academic Tutor
    Ted Coopersmith is an Academic Tutor for Manhattan Elite Prep, a test prep and academic tutoring company based in New York City. In addition to general academic advising, Ted has expertise in preparing for the ACT, SAT, SSAT, and ASVAB tests. He also has over 30 years of financial controller advising and consulting experience. He holds a BA from the City University of New York (CUNY) and an MBA from Pace University.
    Academic Tutor
    Expert Answer
    Attend as many in-class sessions as possible, and take detailed notes. That way, you won't have to rely on your peers before the next exam.
  • Question
    How can I get good grades?
    Community Answer
    Make a study plan and stick to it, ask for help when you need it and participate in class.
  • Question
    How do you study for a test when the teacher is a hard grader?
    Community Answer
    As you would for any test -- the goal is to give the right answers, not to worry about the teacher. Memorize the important facts, make notes while studying and do practice tests.
  • Question
    What kind of reading should I do in order to get 90% on all of my exams?
    Community Answer
    Use the school's textbooks. There you can find the answers to what will likely be on the exams. It's better to use school provided resources.
  • Question
    What does "cram" mean?
    Community Answer
    "Cram" means to study as much material in one study session. When people "cram," they typically do it just before the exam, either the night before, the morning of, or literally just before the class/exam starts. It usually is not a very effective method of studying.
  • Question
    What do I do if the test is in the first period and I haven't studied?
    Community Answer
    Read each question carefully and double-check your work. Do the best you can and make a plan to study for the next exam.
  • Question
    If I start studying every day from the first day of school, would it help in tests?
    Community Answer
    Of course. Studying is very important for tests but make sure that you don't put too much pressure on yourself.
  • Question
    How many hours of sleep should I get?
    Community Answer
    Get as much as you can get. You don't want to oversleep, which could make you sluggish during the day, but you don't want to force yourself to have less sleep than you need. Going to bed as early as possible, and letting yourself sleep until you naturally wake up (or at least the latest possible time you need to be up) will help your body refresh itself and be well rested in time for the test.
  • Question
    What can I do when there is a test tomorrow and I brought home the wrong books?
    Community Answer
    Try to look up the topic of the test on the internet and see what you can find, or get in touch with someone from class and see if you can share their book, or ask if they can scan some of the pages for you.
  • Question
    How can I pass if I've already failed multiple times?
    Community Answer
    Try harder. Set up a study timetable. Give yourself enough time and think positively.
  • Question
    What should I do if I have a lot to read, but only a short time before the exam?
    Community Answer
    If it's a reading test, you should annotate your homework text, and just remember the key points. Usually reading tests are on key points and main ideas, not the whole text.
  • Question
    What should I do to pass if I have failed a test twice and this is my last chance or I will have to repeat the grade over again?
    Community Answer
    Study as much and as hard as you can. Make flashcards and self-tests. Ask your teacher for help, they want you to pass. Ask your parents to quiz you at home. Look over the mistakes you made on your previous tests and make sure you understand what the correct answers are and why.
  • Question
    What do I do if the test is hard?
    Community Answer
    Read through each choice if the test is multiple choice, and mark out the choices that you know are wrong. If you still have two choices left, re-read the question, and remember back to the lesson.
  • Question
    My teacher always gives pop quizzes and that doesn't allow me to study. What should I do?
    Community Answer
    Take good notes and review them each night so you are always prepared.
  • Question
    What can I do if I have already failed a test twice and this is the last chance to pass?
    Community Answer
    If you've already taken the test twice, you should have a fairly good idea of what's going to be on it and/or what you're having trouble with. Focus on that material. Ask a teacher, friend, or tutor to help you. Make flashcards.
  • Question
    How do I not procrastinate studying for a test?
    Community Answer
    Do not stress. Eat healthy. Study important. Visit the hard parts for yourself. Give yourself goals.
  • Question
    How do I get my grades up?
    Community Answer
    Study as much as you can, but don't study without sleep. Remember to revise old questions before the test. If you are struggling, talk to a friend or an adult who might know what to do. Stay positive throughout the whole test.
  • Question
    I keep getting low scores on my science quizzes and I really don't like it. I always study, but it doesn't seem to help. What should I do?
    Community Answer
    Speak to your teacher about what you can do to improve.
  • Question
    When should I start studying for a test? I tend to forget when I study too early on.
    Community Answer
    The best time to start studying for a test is 1-2 weeks before the test date. The earlier you start, the better results you will get. Take notes of the most important points and anything you have trouble remembering, and just review these daily. Make sure to ask your teacher if you have trouble understanding anything.
  • Question
    Should I cheat if the teacher is not there?
    Community Answer
    You should never cheat, whether the teacher is or is not there.
  • Question
    What do I do when my test is tomorrow and I'm only getting 70% when the passing mark is 80?
    Opengangs
    Community Answer
    If your exam is the next day, you should be aiming to just do some light reading. Never do heavy studying/cramming on the day before your exam; you'll wear yourself down and you'll feel exhausted on the day of the exam. Instead, skim through exam questions and highlight the questions you can't do at first glance and perhaps read over the solution to the question. By doing this, you're becoming your harshest critic and it allows you to cover a broader range of information. Get a good night sleep. Make sure you have enough rest so you feel energized on your exam day, and make sure you have a healthy breakfast before walking into the exam.
  • Question
    How do I pass a test if I don't know much about the subject?
    Community Answer
    If you know nothing about it then you need to study for it. I personally do not study but I always pass because I have natural abilities but you might be the same. Have confidence in yourself and you will ace the test!
  • Question
    How can I make studying fun?
    Community Answer
    You can turn it into a game to make it more captivating.
  • Question
    What happens if I don't get into the school I wanted to go to?
    Community Answer
    Then you have to retake the entrance tests until you pass. You must manage your time well, rest and eat well, and most importantly, study hard. If you cannot retake the entrance exams, then you'll just have to accept that a different school might be the best option for you.
  • Question
    What about cheating?
    Community Answer
    Cheating is generally not worth the risk. Better to score a lower grade by not cheating than risk certain failure by getting caught.
  • Question
    If a test is going to be easy, do I still have to study? I already know the material?
    Community Answer
    You should still study a little, but you don't have to spend too much time on it. Just briefly look over your notes or the main ideas from the textbook. If it's a math test, do a few practice problems to make absolutely sure you know what you're doing.
  • Question
    How can I pass a quiz in minor subjects?
    Community Answer
    Study before the quiz. A quiz is a smaller version of an assessment, so don't stress. Speak to your teachers and ask them for help or study with a group. Say the word or sentence several times out loud until it becomes a song running through your brain. Have a revision sheet with keywords and notes and practice them in a private area.
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