How to Tackle Exam Questions – Learning Strategies Center (2024)

FAQs

How to Tackle Exam Questions – Learning Strategies Center? ›

DON'T sneak a peak at the answer if you get stuck. (keep trying!) Check your answer only after you've put something–anything–down. Think partial credit, which is better than no credit if you freeze when you get stuck on hard problems on the test.

Ideally, studying should start at least five days in advance of the exam to allow students an ample amount of time to go over course concepts and materials, and reach out to their instructor or peers if they find they have any questions.

By giving yourself six days to prepare, you've done yourself a big favor. Not only have you reduced the amount of study time needed per session, but you have also given yourself enough time to be perfectly prepped for your test.

One of the most impactful learning strategies is “distributed practice”—spacing out your studying over several short periods of time over several days and weeks (Newport, 2007). The most effective practice is to work a short time on each class every day.

What is the 2 3 5 7 revision rule? ›

Revise a topic, then revisit it the next day, after three days, and after seven days. This is thought to be the perfect amount of time to help your brain remember information.

The most common use of 3-2-1 I've seen is in response to a reading or lesson–usually 3 things you learned, 2 things that made you curious or confused, and 1 most important thing you learned or should do with what you've learned.

Answer the easiest questions first and skip the rest.

Start by answering questions that you know the answers to and skip the other questions. You can come back to them later. This will help to give you some momentum and build your confidence for tackling the more difficult parts of the exam.

Numerous studies prove that your critical thinking and analytical skills are quite effective between 2 PM to 5 PM. During this time, your brain can be very efficient at integrating and processing any new information that you have acquired. Afternoons are also an excellent time for creative learning.

A general rule is to spend two hours on homework or studying for every hour that your class meets. For example, if your economics class meets for an hour, three times a week, you might expect to spend six hours a week on homework or studying for your upcoming econ exams.

Most people recommend studying for 3 to 4 hours every day on a set schedule that allows your brain to work at its full capacity. You should avoid studying for more than five or six hours as this can lead to burnout and cause you to lose the information that you have learned.

To improve students' reading comprehension, teachers should introduce the seven cognitive strategies of effective readers: activating, inferring, monitoring-clarifying, questioning, searching-selecting, summarizing, and visualizing-organizing.

Effective instructional programs and materials emphasize the five essential components of effective reading instruction: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.

How do you deal with difficult questions? ›

These six strategies for effective learning are based on evidence-based research and the science of learning. We will explore: spaced practice, retrieval practice, elaboration, concrete examples, dual coding and interleaving.

There are 4 predominant learning styles: Visual, Auditory, Read/Write, and Kinaesthetic.

These include: preparing the study environment; organising your study schedule; tips for while you are engaged in study; and methods of boosting your reading efficiency.

Good study habits include finding a quiet location to study, taking breaks, settings goals, and taking practice tests.

Answer the easy questions first, then the harder ones. Don't get nervous if some questions look unfamiliar. Skip them and return to them later.

80% of a student's success hinges on the last 20% of exam preparation time. Hence, in the last few weeks before the exam, students must focus on revising Core topics rather than starting a new topic (which they haven't covered before).

(And, students, when looking at your feedback, think about those four other Rs – review, reflect, respond, remember).

What is the 1247 technique of revision? ›

What is 1247 Technique? Its a memory technique wherein you should revise whatever you have studied thrice after the 1st study. So effectively, you will study 4 times in 1-2-4-7 order.

A better way to learn, process, retain and remember information is to learn half the time and share half the time. Learn for 50% of the time and explain what you learn for 50% of the time.

We are all in this together. This, my friends and panicked peers, is the 45/15 rule. When you are studying, it can be easy to burn out, so get up and get active for your 15 minute break. For every 45 minutes you are studying, try one of these for 15.

10–24–7 MODEL

This model reinforces the need to sustain the connection to notes over time. In the 10–24–7 model, students review notes for 10 minutes immediately after taking them. Then, 24 hours later, they revisit these notes for another 10 minutes, writing higher-level questions about what they had written down.

Studying can be helpful but for most students, it shouldn't be a requirement. You don't need to study to ace a test. That probably sounds a little crazy but once you learn a few things, it's going to make sense. You might still think it's a little over the top but I promise you're going to see how it's possible.

You studied hard, knew the material… but you still failed the test. What's going on? It might sound strange, but studying hard doesn't automatically mean you're going to ace your test—it's just one part of preparing for an exam.

Get a good night's sleep

Don't burn the midnight oil the night before a test. The extra effort put into late-night studying will be offset by reduced mental performance due to lost sleep. It won't help, so don't try it. Call it a night and go to bed; your morning will be better for it.

That said, science has indicated that learning is most effective between 10 am to 2 pm and from 4 pm to 10 pm, when the brain is in an acquisition mode. On the other hand, the least effective learning time is between 4 am and 7 am.

Best time to study according to science

The worst time to study is between 4:00 am to 7:00 am, so if you're studying while juggling other responsibilities, it might be better to pull a late night rather than an early morning. It's important to note that young adults may be a bit of an exception to this rule.

So, is it better to stay up late or wake up early to study? Both are okay as long as you don't reduce the amount of sleep you get. Not everyone is productive in the morning, and not everyone is effective at night. Do what works best for you, but try to get 7 to 9 hours of sleep.

How much should you study right before a test? ›

Try to spend no more than an hour or two reviewing for your test. You don't want to spend all day studying as it'll wear you out the day of your test. Plus, you're unlikely to remember every piece of information you cram in such a short amount of time!

If you've been studying all along in bits and pieces during the course, you will feel better prepared for the test. However, it's always a good idea to review study notes the day before an exam to refresh your memory.

Studying too hard and too much can easily lead to burnout and leave your mind frazzled on the test date. You'll want to take breaks away from studying and focus on the rest of your life, fun, and school work. When you create your study calendar, make sure to account for breaks as well as entire days off.

BRAIN FOCUS & CONCENTRATION FACTS & STATISTICS

The human brain is able to focus up to two hours, after which it needs a 20-30 minute break. The average American spends about 9 hours a day at work. According to the NeuroLeadership Institute, work focus equals about 6 hours a week.

By increasing the number of days you have to study, you decrease the actual studying time you have to put in per session, which is perfect if you have trouble staying focused when you're studying for an exam. It's entirely possible to study for an exam in just a handful of days. All you need is a solid plan.

The test strategy describes the test level to be performed. There are primarily three levels of testing: unit testing, integration testing, and system testing.

A unit test typically features three different phases: Arrange, Act, and Assert (sometimes referred to as AAA). For a unit test to be successful, the resulting behavior in all three phases must be in line with expectations.

There are generally four recognized levels of testing: unit/component testing, integration testing, system testing, and acceptance testing.

How do you typically study for an exam? ›