In this Section:

Time Management
& Organization

MIT Study Skills

Academic Integrity

Test-Taking
Strategies

• Define the
  Challenge at Hand
  
  
• Knowing What
  You Know
  
  
• Your Study
  Plan
  
  
• A Word About
  Test Anxiety
  
  
• Taking the
  Exam
  
  
• Different Types
  of Tests
  

Finals Preparation

TEST-TAKING STRATEGIES—Define the Challenge at Hand

Some of the anxiety associated with test-taking comes from a fear of the unknown. Since you cannot know in advance what you will be asked on an exam, it is easy to become overwhelmed by the weight of what could be asked-- there are infinite possibilities. While you cannot predict the future, you can begin to narrow your field of inquiry. Understanding the format and parameters of the test will help you to focus your studies. What should you know about an exam before you first sit down to study?

Exam Logistics: The Nuts & Bolts

Even the most dedicated test preparation is for naught if you accidentally come to the exam an hour late. Here are some small, but important details you should know in advance about any exam.

• What are the testing parameters?
  
  
  • What is the date and time of the exam?
  • Where is the exam? Is it in your regular classroom or in a larger testing location?
  • How long will you have to take the exam?
  • Can you bring a calculator or formula sheet?
  • Will it be open book/notes?
    

• What will the format of the test be? This is not necessary, but it can help you to visualize the test, increasing your familiarity and comfort level.
  
  
  • Will it be multiple choice, short answer, essay, problems...
    
    
  • What will the breakdown of the test be? (All problems or 40% short answer / 60% essay...)

• What percentage of your final grade is this exam worth?
  
  
  • Do not dwell on this, but use it use it to gauge the amount of effort you plan to put into preparation. Should you spend 20+ hours preparing for a test worth 15% of your grade, at the expense of two other exams worth 30% each?
    
    
  • When you have more than one test for which to study at once, be careful not to over prepare for your first exam simply because you will encounter it first. In order to do well overall, you need to plan ahead and pace yourself.

Remember that an instructor might have different expectations for each test, especially for the midterm and final exam. Never assume that subsequent tests will be administered in the same fashion as the first.

Exam Content: You Know More Than You Think

While an instructor will not likely provide an exam outline, you do have the next best thing available to you: the subject syllabus.

Review the syllabus and subject website, asking yourself...

• Does the instructor expect you to have mastered the material covered between certain dates or within certain chapters of your text? Most syllabi are arrange chronologically by class date. Make a notation next to each class (or entry) containing material that will be covered on the upcoming exam.
  
  
• Will information in handouts and other supplemental materials be covered on the exam? Instructors often use textbooks or handouts to impart information they do not have time to include in the lecture, so your readings are very important. At the same time, a handout essential for the completion of a project may not be relevant for the exam. Sift through your materials to discern what is important.
  
  
• Is there any overlap between material covered on this test and that covered on previous exams? Does success on this exam depend on mastery of concepts that have eluded you on prior tests? If so, then you will need to account for this in your study plan. Make notations on your syllabus to review that additional information.
  
  
• Is the instructor currently teaching material that will not be covered on the upcoming test, but will likely be on the next one? Sometimes instructors will defer the newest material (information taught the same week of an exam) to the next test. Be certain that you understand where the material for this test ends on the syllabus.
  

As you sort though your materials, you will likely find areas in which you also have questions about the work, so organize your thoughts and approach the instructor or TA during office hours. Instructors do not want students to be frustrated by their exams and will usually answer any reasonable question about a test. Questions about the coursework and exams show that you care about the subject and your progress, and also that you are thinking ahead, so ask away.