The method you have to follow to study depends on the subject; there are subjects, such as mathematics and science, for which you have to demonstrate that you can apply formulas and theories. In other cases, you need to prove that you have read and understood the information, as with history and literature; foreign languages are the third major category of school subjects. While there are many other topics, study techniques for these three large groups should represent most of the methods for preparing for an exam. After studying the exam material, it is essential to review it and try to internalize what you have learned, to get the highest possible grade.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Quickly Learn Formulas and Theories
Step 1. Write what you should know
When studying for a math, science, or similar test, you should be clear about what concepts the teacher wants to test. Write them down on a piece of paper so that you can check them off as you study them; in this way, you also mentally organize the information.
- Find practical problems. Look for some exercises you haven't already done in class or as a homework assignment, or review the section at the back of the book; pantries are perfect for this purpose.
- If you don't have material to do practical exercises, you can invent them yourself. Although this method takes a lot longer, it is useful for internalizing concepts. After all, to write a problem you need to have a little understanding of the notions or formulas.
Step 2. Try to fix the problem
It is worth reviewing the topic and evaluating your understanding of the theory; in this way, you save time with an exercise that you should already be able to solve. Optimizing your time by prioritizing means having to look less through your notes and pages of text when you "get stuck" on a topic.
- When you come to a part of the exercise that you can't solve, use your notes to complete the exercise.
- Homework already assessed by the teacher is another source in which to find solutions to the problems you are practicing.
Step 3. Do another test
After using your notes to complete one practice problem, practice with another. The goal is to be able to solve any type of exercise without the support of the textbook or notes; if you succeed on the second or third try, you can move on to the next concept.
Repeat this process until you have internalized the information
Step 4. Move on to the next notion
Follow the checklist you made earlier and use the textbook when you need help solving problems. You have to quickly complete the list, but at the same time you have to assimilate the formulas you need; if you have time to memorize everything in the beginning, studying will be much less stressful later on.
Step 5. Come up with a class assignment and do it
Writing the text of an exam or a handout yourself helps you in many ways. First, it forces you to think and mentally review the theory or formula in order to invent a problem; secondly, re-reading the sentence and solving the exercise allows you to develop the procedure on paper and evaluate which method works and which doesn't.
Organize the practice test as you did with your notes. Write down subtitles for each chapter or concept and then try to solve two or three problems
Method 2 of 4: Review What You Studied for the Exam
Step 1. Write down the all-encompassing concepts you need to know
Contrary to common thought, subjects such as literature and history are not just a series of notions to be remembered by heart; it is much more important to know the value of the ideas you are studying, rather than just remembering who said them. The class assignment probably has a section where you have to write a short essay and which is essential in the eyes of the teacher.
- Be aware that it is very difficult to study at the last minute for an exam that asks you to discuss the importance of broad topics and concepts; it is not a subject you can learn with flashcards.
- Try to formulate some "wide-ranging" questions and find the answers. For example, if you are studying for a history test, you might ask yourself questions like, "What are some of the factors that contributed to the birth of the American Revolution?" Next, try to make a list of the factors that led to the start of the war.
Step 2. Write as many specific terms as possible
Although learning the general concepts is the main purpose of a humanities exam, it is likely that within the assignment you will be required to know certain dates, names and terms. Review your notes and write down all the details you come across; maybe you are not able to learn them all, but by writing them you can memorize them and maybe bring them back to mind later.
- For a history exam, look for names, dates, eras, organizations, political movements, and so on.
- For a literature exam you have to write down the characters, authors, years of publication, major works, literary movements, and so on.
Step 3. Bring together similar concepts
The next step in learning the humanities is to develop associations between all the terms. This mind map helps you connect specific words to general concepts. If you wish, you can even draw a pattern or network between names and dates to visualize correlations.
Step 4. Learn some names and dates
Now that you have gathered all the basic concepts and main terms in your mind, you need to learn a few small details; the best way to do this is through repetition and memorization. Memorizing the notions is certainly boring, but it's your only chance when you study at the last minute.
- Draw a straight line in the center of a sheet. Write the name or date on the left side and related information you need to know on the other.
- Fold the paper in half and read only one part at a time; this is an easy way to test yourself.
Step 5. Start over and ask yourself questions about concepts you have already studied
Each time you reinforce the notions you have learned, you assimilate them more and more. This method allows the brain to access information more easily during the next day's exam; however, if it is already quite late, go to bed to help your brain recover by resting.
Method 3 of 4: Last Minute Study for a Foreign Language Exam
Step 1. Make a note of the lessons you need to know for the exam
You should study every aspect of the foreign language during the school year, but in this situation you don't have the time. Do not try to acquire perfect command of the language in one night, because you cannot do it; by focusing on learning instead, you can demonstrate that you master the concepts that earn you a good grade.
- Some categories of words refer to the themes of cooking and meals, transport and animals.
- The grammatical units include irregular verbs, past tenses and the endings of adjectives.
Step 2. Use flashcards to learn vocabulary
Write the term in Italian on one side and the translation into the other language on the second side. To make the cards you can cut cardstock in half, after all you don't need a lot of space to write a word or phrase.
Another method to help the brain even more to associate a concept with a foreign word is drawing. For example, if you are learning the German word for fork (die Gabel), draw the cutlery on one side of the paper instead of writing the word in Italian to reinforce the concept
Step 3. Write the sentences to practice grammar
As boring as it may be, it's the best way to learn grammar rules. Write a sentence for each tense and / or ending. Later, you can decide to write more sentences or to reread the ones you composed previously, learning them partially by heart. Grammar is a fundamental part of languages and you should take the time to study it.
Step 4. Practice speaking aloud
If you have passed the core courses, the exam may also include a conversation section. Thankfully, it's not hard to do if you're already studying. When using flashcards, say the word before turning the card over; similarly, speak out the sentences you are writing. This way, you get used to saying the words you need to know for the next day's test.
- Make sure you pronounce the words correctly. The intonations of some foreign languages are easier for beginners to learn than others, but the teacher will take your effort into account, based on your skill level.
- Speaking aloud in a foreign language also helps to structure the periphrases. It is the ability to find ways to describe what you want to say when you don't remember the exact term. For example, if you don't remember the word "fork", you can say "that little kitchen tool which is not a spoon or a knife and which is used to eat chicken". This way, the teacher will likely not give you a very high grade, but will appreciate the ability to use the language to describe what you mean.
Method 4 of 4: Develop Good Review Habits
Step 1. Organize the topics you need to study
If you only have a few hours to prepare for an exam, every minute counts. A good plan allows you to master the basics of passing the test. Save the little details for the next class assignment when you plan your study time in advance.
- Read all the information the teacher has provided about the assignment: handouts, syllabus, and so on.
- Break down your time by the number of chapters or units you need to know; if one section is larger than the other, manage your time accordingly.
- Write down on which pages of the book and on which notes you can find information for each topic.
- If you know in advance what you need to study, quickly take note of the topics, to have a goal for each section.
Step 2. Study in short sessions, but during which you are completely focused
Try to commit for 45 minutes every hour and take a break afterwards; in this way, you stay focused and allow the brain to perform at its best. Get up and take a walk, stretch your back and don't look at the computer monitor; eat a slice or two of apple to refuel with some energy.
Step 3. Don't study in bed
The brain usually associates bed with sleep. The first problem with this behavior is that you feel sleepy and learn less effectively; the second is the gradual "reconfiguration" of the brain, which learns to associate a waking moment with the bed. As a result, you will have more trouble falling asleep in the future.
- If you don't have a desk or space to study, go to the kitchen or take the books to the dining room table.
- The sofa is a comfortable place, perhaps too much to study; if you find that you are less focused when studying on the sofa, go to the table.
Step 4. Get enough sleep
You may believe that studying all night can help you learn more for the exam, but that's not a good idea. However, memorizing every detail in the textbook is useless if you are too sleepy to do the test in the classroom. It's best to learn what you can and get a good, restful sleep; after all, you have to accept the fact that you are not about to get top marks on the exam. Getting enough rest ensures that you get the highest possible grade in relation to what you have studied.
Step 5. Wake up in time to get ready
You don't have to get up so late that you have to act in a hurry, thereby increasing your stress level; however, it is best not to wake up so early that you have time to think too much about the exam. Study as much as you can on the previous evening, sleep, wake up the next morning and get to school on time.
