Placement tests are mandatory steps in education systems around the world. Institutions of all levels use it to determine whether students are qualified to enter a course, school or university. Often those who try these tests are subjected to great pressure. To best support them, you can prepare yourself by following the advice in this article.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Creating a Study Program
Step 1. Mark the exam date on the calendar as soon as you sign up
Probably the dates for the test and for the registration deadlines will be known well in advance. As soon as you have a chance to enroll, mark the day of the exam on your calendar or diary so you can plan how much time you need to prepare.
Step 2. Decide how much time you will spend studying and preparing
Based on the time you have left until the test, decide how much to prepare. Most students spend 1-3 months studying.
The time to devote to testing is extremely subjective. Think about your schedule from now to the day of the exam: will there be any holidays? Are you planning family trips? What are your commitments at school? Choose the study program based on what you need to do. In general, if you have a full agenda, you will need more time, taking into account those days when you will be too busy to study
Step 3. Create a calendar of months or weeks until the exam
On this calendar, mark the days you intend to study and the days you will take a break.
Mark every day you already have commitments, such as work, a sporting event, a trip, or a social event, so you can take them into account in your curriculum
Step 4. Write down all the days you will take a break
You may decide to give yourself a day off for each study week, at least until the period immediately preceding the test. Mark those days by writing, for example, "No study" or "Day off".
Step 5. Consider how long you want to study per day
The placement test is important and you should spend a lot of time studying. However, there are other commitments and events in life as well. Decide how much space you can realistically reserve for preparation on a typical day.
- You may have the opportunity to study 1-2 hours every day. Or you may be busy with a part-time job or sporting activity and only have half an hour on some days and a couple of hours on others. Consider the various commitments of the days in your study schedule.
- Mark on the calendar how long you intend to study every day until the test day.
Step 6. Decide how to review
Placement tests usually evaluate the knowledge you have gained in the academic years you have taken up to that point, unless they are specific to a course, in which case they are restricted to a single topic. It is not easy to choose the most important aspects to review.
- It may help to focus on the topics you struggle with the most. Reviewing everything you have learned would be boring and probably impossible. Instead, trust your strengths and work on your weaknesses so you can improve them for the test.
- Consider all the topics and subjects that can be exam topics and organize them in a logical order. You can do this chronologically, sequentially, or by other methods.
- Try asking friends who have already taken the placement test what topics they have had to deal with. They may not be the same as your exam, but their advice can help you identify areas to focus on.
Step 7. Mark which subjects or subjects you intend to study each day
Fill the calendar with this information. By planning ahead, you won't waste time deciding what to study.
Part 2 of 4: Review the Material to Prepare
Step 1. Find a calm and peaceful place to study
Studies show that the environment is important for concentration, so choose a place free of distractions. The best solution is very subjective.
- Make sure there is a desk or table in the room where you can sit and perhaps a comfortable armchair. Having comfortable and functional furniture available will help you develop the habit of always studying in the same place, because you will not need to move.
- Studies have shown that changing environments during the study can be beneficial. Find more than one location if you have the chance.
Step 2. Consider purchasing a test preparation manual
While not necessary, a specific volume for the placement test you are about to take will help you become familiar with the type of exam questions, how they are asked, and the answers examiners expect.
- The manual will also help you choose the topics you should focus your study on. In fact, it often contains tests carried out in previous years.
- You can also search the internet for test preparation courses. In some cases you can find free e-book versions of the manuals.
Step 3. Get the materials you need to study
You should dedicate each session to a specific topic. Make sure you have everything you need with you so that you don't have to be distracted to find what is missing.
- Notes of the lessons
- Old tasks, relationships and projects
- Sheets
- Pencils, erasers and highlighters
- Computer or laptop, only if necessary (otherwise it could be a distraction)
- Snacks and water
Step 4. Identify your preferred learning style
There are different learning styles, and knowing what works best for you will be very helpful for you to study more efficiently.
- Visual learning: You learn by watching things, like videos, PowerPoint presentations, or even watching someone write on paper or on the whiteboard.
- Auditory learning: You learn best by listening to things, such as the teacher's words in class, live or recorded.
- Kinesthetic learning: You learn by doing, for example by tackling problems firsthand with manual work.
Step 5. Model your study habits according to the type of learning that suits you best
Once you understand which style is best for you, change your way of studying, in order to learn faster.
- If you prefer visual learning, try rewriting your notes or turning them into graphs, tables, and concept maps. You can also turn them into semantic maps.
- If you enjoy auditory learning, you may find it helpful to read or repeat the study material aloud. It will also help you participate in study groups with other people who prepare the same placement test as you, thanks to the discussions you can have with them.
- To embrace kinesthetic learning, find ways to move while you study. For example, you could sit on a stability ball, so you can bounce gently, or you can read your notes or books while walking on a treadmill. Also try chewing gum while studying, but consider that you may not be allowed to do so during the test.
Step 6. Set a timer when you study
No matter what learning style you prefer, it's important to take breaks and not overdo it. Stress can cause you to not imprint new information into your memory and can make you refractory to learning and reviewing, so be sure to take breaks.
- Set a timer every 30 minutes. When time runs out, take a 5-10 minute break with a walk, go out for some sun, or go to the bathroom.
- Set a timer, or at least be careful, even for when you need to stop studying. If you have marked on your calendar that you will study 90 minutes today, do not exceed that time.
Step 7. Find ways to make studying fun
It will be much easier to remember and really assimilate the material you are reading if you can do it in a fun and cheerful way. You can try:
- Use colors on the clipboard;
- Improvise a quiz on study material with your parents, guardian, friend, or study group;
- Recite what you are studying;
- Making a video or recording of the study material, using props.
Step 8. Take a trial run
In addition to reviewing the material, one of the best ways to prepare for the exam is to practice. Often times, practice tests are old versions of the exam you will be taking. This gives you many benefits.
- You will become familiar with the way the questions are asked.
- You will be able to improve the time you spend answering questions. Make sure you time yourself during practice and don't exceed the time allowed in the real test.
- You will be able to get a better idea of the exam topics.
- You will have the opportunity to check your progress during your studies and preparation.
Part 3 of 4: Adopting Relaxation Techniques
Step 1. Think positive
When the exam approaches, it will help you to think that you will be successful. It will give you the motivation and energy to express yourself at your best.
- Get into the habit of thinking optimistically with positive affirmations. When you think about the test that is about to come, encourage yourself and treat yourself with delicacy. Good advice is to talk to yourself as you would to others.
- If a negative thought comes to your mind, analyze it rationally. Dismiss it with other positive thoughts. For example, if you find yourself thinking "This topic is too difficult", you can reply with "That's right, it's challenging, but I'll try a different approach".
Step 2. Avoid bandaging your head before breaking it
This idiom describes the behavior of those who irrationally believe that a situation is much worse than it actually is. When preparing for the placement test, it is easy to indulge in thoughts such as: "I will not pass the test, so I will not go to university and I will not be successful in my adult life". However, this is over-dramatization and should be avoided.
- Thinking about the worst greatly limits your opportunities in many areas of life, because it leads you to the negative version of "self-fulfilling prophecies". If you keep telling yourself that you are not good enough to pass the test, it is quite possible that you really fail because you have convinced yourself that you cannot.
- If you find yourself too negative, do what you can to fix it. Start recording the moments in which you have this attitude; after a week, look for repeating patterns. Does it only happen to you when you study a specific subject? Or when you deal with a certain type of question, such as open-ended ones? Identify the trigger and combat pessimistic thoughts with positive affirmations.
Step 3. Develop strategies for overcoming obstacles you may face in the test
As you study for the exam, think for some time about the challenges that may arise on the day of the test. The most useful tool to do this are simulations: note which questions put you in the most crisis. Then, find strategies for dealing with these problems.
- Skip the really hard questions and tackle them again later. Remember not to mark the answer.
- Proceed by elimination. Eliminate the answers that are clearly wrong or made up and choose the right solution from those that remain.
- Review the question or reading material to check that you have chosen the right answer.
- Read all the answers before choosing one. You may see one that you think is correct, but the right one may be hiding among the following.
- Practice highlighting or underlining the most important parts of the questions and passages to read. This will help you identify the key elements to answer the questions later.
- Read the questions before the accompanying passages. This way, you will already know what information to look for.
Step 4. Prioritize sleep
As a teenager, you still need to sleep 8-10 hours a night. Getting enough rest allows you to relax, focus better and reduce stress, helping to calm you down.
It is important to try to sleep at the same time every time. This helps to have a constant biological clock, or circadian rhythm, and consequently to sleep well
Step 5. When you need it, take a break
You have probably already devoted days to relaxation in your study program. When one of those days comes, it's very important to stick to the schedule. You need those moments to relax, calm down and enjoy life outside of the studio.
Step 6. Learn some breathing techniques that you can use during the test if you feel anxious
You can use them at any time, but they will be particularly useful for managing stress on exam day.
- Relaxation technique: inhale through your nose for a count of four, then hold your breath for two seconds. Finish the exercise by exhaling through your mouth for a count of four or six.
- Balanced Breathing: Breathe in for a count of four, then breathe out the same way. Breathe only through your nose. Repeat until you have calmed down.
- Simply focus on exhaling for longer than it took to inhale. This is a simple trick that allows you to relax without having to count.
Step 7. Practice meditation or yoga
Meditation is a great way to reduce stress and calm down. Yoga, in addition to being a great way to meditate, also allows you to do physical activity.
To meditate, find a quiet place and sit comfortably. Gently place your hands on your knees and simply try to clear your mind of problems and worries. Guided meditation tools are very useful, but focusing on your breath and clearing your mind for 10 minutes can be enough
Step 8. Exercise often to relieve stress
Exercise is not only the best way to stay fit, it is also very helpful in calming down, relieving stress and frustration. You can choose the type of activity you prefer; just make sure you know her well so you don't risk injury.
- Race
- Walks
- I swim
- Cycling
- Sports - tennis, football, horse riding, etc.
Step 9. Turn nervousness into excitement
It's perfectly normal to be nervous, but try to turn those energies into excitement for the exam. No one is ever really excited about a test, but here are some positive thoughts that can help you find the right charge:
- "Now I have the opportunity to show everyone how good I am!"
- "I worked so hard to learn these math equations again. My teacher would be so proud of me!"
- "I worked hard to prepare for this test. I know it will pay off!"
Part 4 of 4: Getting Ready the Night Before
Step 1. Find out about the time and location of the exam
Double-check the information and make sure you know exactly where the test will take place and what time you need to show up. You will probably have to arrive early, so that there is time to spread out in the classrooms and make the roll call.
Step 2. Set the alarm
Give yourself enough time to get up, take a shower (if you have a habit of washing in the morning), have a hearty breakfast and get to the test site.
Step 3. Get everything you need
Put it in your backpack or other bag if you are allowed to carry one.
- Pencils and erasers
- Pens, if permitted or necessary
- Calculator, if allowed or needed
- Bottle of water
- Snack
Step 4. Have a healthy dinner and breakfast
Complex carbohydrates are great for building energy throughout the day because it takes the body longer to metabolize them. Enjoy a dinner with the right balance of carbohydrates, proteins and healthy fats.
Make a breakfast that is higher in healthy fats and proteins than carbohydrates, but don't cut them out entirely. The combination of the first two macronutrients will make you feel full for longer and you will not risk having a drop in energy during the test
Step 5. Avoid doing a last minute review
When your nerves are tense and you try to store information in the little time you have left, your brain probably won't remember anything you are reading. Give yourself a restful evening to relax and calm down.
Step 6. Get at least 8 hours of sleep
Go to bed as soon as possible, so you can be sure you get at least 8 hours of sleep, even if 9-10 is the recommended amount. This way, you'll wake up calmer and well rested the next morning.
Advice
- Consider hiring a tutor or enrolling in a preparation course. These are good solutions if you need someone to take you regular quizzes or to teach you the exam topics again.
- Drink lots of water. This way you will stay hydrated, fresh and ready to face any challenge.
