How to Prepare for the Exam

Exam preparation can be difficult and time-consuming, but it’s not always! Don’t stress or try to cram. Just by doing a few simple things a while before the exam, you can be confident and ready for anything in the exam.

Table of Contents

Prepare to practice

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/8/80/Prepare-for-an-Exam-Step-1-Version-2.jpg/v4-728px-Prepare-for- an-Exam-Step-1-Version-2.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/8/80/Prepare-for-an-Exam-Step-1- Version-2.jpg/v4-728px-Prepare-for-an-Exam-Step-1-Version-2.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight” :546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Start practicing early. You should spend ample time reviewing the lessons in class. You may need to estimate how long you need to review based on the amount of work you need to review. For example, if you have to review an entire semester’s work, you may have to study a few weeks in advance. However, if it is a test consisting of several chapters, the pre-study period may be a week, even just three or four days will suffice. ^{[1] X Research Source}

Only you know how long you need to review, so you are the most informed person in deciding when to start reviewing.
If you find the study material particularly difficult, start earlier. You need to spend enough time to really master the lesson, practice, and review.
Get enough sleep the night before the test. Your brain needs time to subconsciously process everything you put in your head. Therefore, you should start studying early so that you do not have to stay up all night. ^{[2] X Research Source}

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/f/f2/Prepare-for-an-Exam-Step-2-Version-2.jpg/v4-728px-Prepare-for- an-Exam-Step-2-Version-2.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/f/f2/Prepare-for-an-Exam-Step-2- Version-2.jpg/v4-728px-Prepare-for-an-Exam-Step-2-Version-2.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight” :546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Reread all test-related notes. This step will refresh the knowledge in your head and help you recall what you have learned. It will also give you a clear understanding of all the information recorded, know where to find it in your notes, and what else might be missed. Determine if your notes are sufficient for review. Do you miss any classes? Is there anything that is not recorded? If so, you may need to borrow your classmates’ notebooks to copy them.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/8/82/Prepare-for-an-Exam-Step-3-Version-2.jpg/v4-728px-Prepare-for- an-Exam-Step-3-Version-2.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/8/82/Prepare-for-an-Exam-Step-3- Version-2.jpg/v4-728px-Prepare-for-an-Exam-Step-3-Version-2.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight” :546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Borrow notebooks from those who take careful notes. If you’re not good at taking notes, or if your notebook has a lot of “holes,” ask a friend if you can borrow their notebook to copy. Taking careful notes can make a big difference as you review. It can explain the content that the textbook does not explain clearly or highlight important information, thereby making it easier for learners to understand and remember.

If you only have 5 pages of notes, while your classmate has 20, it is likely that you have left out some important information. You should compare your notebooks with your friends to see if there are holes in your notes.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/5/5a/Prepare-for-an-Exam-Step-4-Version-2.jpg/v4-728px-Prepare-for- an-Exam-Step-4-Version-2.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/5/5a/Prepare-for-an-Exam-Step-4- Version-2.jpg/v4-728px-Prepare-for-an-Exam-Step-4-Version-2.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight” :546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Ask the teacher about the content to study for the exam. One of the easiest ways to start the review process is to ask your teacher about what’s included in the test. Many teachers will talk about what is or isn’t on the test. Once you know what the test covers, you can focus on the main things you need to learn.

Teachers often won’t say exactly what to expect on the test, but they can give you hints by handing out a study guide or by announcing what to study for the exam. ^{[3] X Research Sources}

Review the knowledge

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/e/e4/Prepare-for-an-Exam-Step-5-Version-2.jpg/v4-728px-Prepare-for- an-Exam-Step-5-Version-2.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/e/e4/Prepare-for-an-Exam-Step-5- Version-2.jpg/v4-728px-Prepare-for-an-Exam-Step-5-Version-2.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight” :546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Reread your notes. This time you read it again to understand. In other words, you will learn those notes, starting with the most basic knowledge. So, if you’re studying the impressionism part of art history, you need to know what impressionism is, and who the most famous impressionist painters of that period were.

Ask yourself who, what, where and when questions for each topic/subject to prepare for the test.
You can learn through information found online, but the best knowledge to learn is what is taught in class, as the questions will be taken from the content in the lessons. Sometimes information on the internet may be different from what you learn in class.
If you’re going to learn things on the internet, look for resources that end in .edu or .gov.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/1/1c/Prepare-for-an-Exam-Step-6-Version-2.jpg/v4-728px-Prepare-for- an-Exam-Step-6-Version-2.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/1/1c/Prepare-for-an-Exam-Step-6- Version-2.jpg/v4-728px-Prepare-for-an-Exam-Step-6-Version-2.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight” :546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Take notes while studying. Right, you should take more notes. You can highlight or underline information, but writing it down will actually help you remember it better. Remember to write down concepts that you are trying to understand or are having trouble remembering. ^{[4] X Research Sources}

Break down complex topics into multiple steps or sections. For example, if you are struggling with the order of historical events, list each event chronologically. For example, first Linus Pauling discovered DNA, then he won the prize. Write down the timeframe and events that occurred. These types of notes can help you recall knowledge because they help you understand the material better.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/a/a6/Prepare-for-an-Exam-Step-7-Version-2.jpg/v4-728px-Prepare-for- an-Exam-Step-7-Version-2.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/a/a6/Prepare-for-an-Exam-Step-7- Version-2.jpg/v4-728px-Prepare-for-an-Exam-Step-7-Version-2.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight” :546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Review the outline. The review outline is a diagram of all that is to be learned in a course. This is a good way to start to understand the main ideas and topics to study. Review your outline, highlighting headings and subheadings. Those are the sections that you should at least review to understand the larger ideas behind those topics.

Some teachers will note the number of pages or chapters in the book containing each part of the outline. Make a note of these pages, because those are the sections that you absolutely must revisit.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/6/68/Prepare-for-an-Exam-Step-8-Version-2.jpg/v4-728px-Prepare-for- an-Exam-Step-8-Version-2.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/6/68/Prepare-for-an-Exam-Step-8- Version-2.jpg/v4-728px-Prepare-for-an-Exam-Step-8-Version-2.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight” :546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Write down the main topics and headings that you draw from the outline. Then go through your notes to see if there are any lines on those topics. Again, if you don’t have one, ask to borrow your classmate’s notebook and reread the sections of the book that cover those topics. The knowledge contained in the outline will often be targeted in the test.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/d/d7/Prepare-for-an-Exam-Step-9-Version-2.jpg/v4-728px-Prepare-for- an-Exam-Step-9-Version-2.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/d/d7/Prepare-for-an-Exam-Step-9- Version-2.jpg/v4-728px-Prepare-for-an-Exam-Step-9-Version-2.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight” :546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Review instructions and study sections. Some books have summaries or short comments on each chapter. It’s a great place to go back and get the gist of the concepts. Of course, if you don’t know what the summary is about, or if you need more details to refresh your memory, you can refer to the instructions at the end of the book. Then, reread specific chapters or passages in the book that you find difficult to remember.

You can find instructions online for what you’re learning if you can’t get it from your teacher.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/0/05/Prepare-for-an-Exam-Step-10-Version-2.jpg/v4-728px-Prepare-for- an-Exam-Step-10-Version-2.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/0/05/Prepare-for-an-Exam-Step-10- Version-2.jpg/v4-728px-Prepare-for-an-Exam-Step-10-Version-2.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight” :546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Reread important sections of the textbook. You should reread every section titled in the book and included in the outline to extract important information. As you reread these sections, keep in mind the key concepts to learn. Read and write down important details at the same time.

Take notes of chapter and section titles as you read. Those are obvious clues that reveal the key concepts in each section.

Prepare for the exam

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/6/6e/Prepare-for-an-Exam-Step-11.jpg/v4-728px-Prepare-for-an-Exam- Step-11.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/6/6e/Prepare-for-an-Exam-Step-11.jpg/v4-728px-Prepare- for-an-Exam-Step-11.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser -output”></div>”}

Make flashcards. Once you’ve taken notes of all the material you need to study, including the contents of the book and your notes, use that information to make flashcards. (Get a index card or cut the paper into squares to make flashcards.) Turn statements into questions.

For example, with the statement “Linus Pauling was one of the major scientists who discovered DNA”, rewrite your flashcards to ask, “Who was one of the major scientists who discovered DNA?” ADN?” Write the question on one side and the answer on the other. ^{[5] X Research Sources}
Sometimes one question can spark an idea for the next question. As you make flashcards, you’ll find that you can forget to learn certain things. For example, the question “Who are the co-discoverers of DNA?” derived from the narrative sentence, because the word “mainly” will remind you that there were other people who also contributed to the discovery of DNA.
If you can’t answer the follow-up questions, you should research the information and make flashcards for those questions.
First, make flashcards for things that you find difficult to remember or master. These are the knowledge that you need to review the most. You can then move on to the knowledge you already understand quite well.
It is advisable to make multiple copies of the flashcards, as you will then have to write down the questions and answers, and this repetitive process will help you remember the information. Furthermore, you can take your flash cards with you and use them anywhere. There are also websites that can help you make flashcards online.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/f/f0/Prepare-for-an-Exam-Step-12.jpg/v4-728px-Prepare-for-an-Exam- Step-12.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/f/f0/Prepare-for-an-Exam-Step-12.jpg/v4-728px-Prepare- for-an-Exam-Step-12.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser -output”></div>”}

Self-test. Once you’ve written everything down on flashcards, do your own quiz with the cards. Continue to review the questions you answered incorrectly until you get the correct answer. You can bring your flashcards with you and take the quiz yourself while on the bus. You should ask yourself questions for half an hour, then take a short break. Keep asking until you can answer all of them correctly. ^{[6] X Research Sources}

If you always get a question wrong, reread your textbook to see if there’s something you don’t understand.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/d/d6/Prepare-for-an-Exam-Step-13.jpg/v4-728px-Prepare-for-an-Exam- Step-13.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/d/d6/Prepare-for-an-Exam-Step-13.jpg/v4-728px-Prepare- for-an-Exam-Step-13.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser -output”></div>”}

Solve exercises. This is especially useful for subjects like math. Practice solving the exercises in the book that you have been given home. Solve the exercises at the end of the book. Redo the exercises you did wrong and try to find out why you got it wrong. Keep practicing until you feel more confident with the subject.

If there is still time before the exam, you can ask your teacher or classmates for help.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/8/80/Prepare-for-an-Exam-Step-14.jpg/v4-728px-Prepare-for-an-Exam- Step-14.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/8/80/Prepare-for-an-Exam-Step-14.jpg/v4-728px-Prepare- for-an-Exam-Step-14.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser -output”></div>”}

On the day of the test, set your alarm at least 2 hours before the test time. Scientists believe that a good night’s sleep before the test is the key to getting better test scores. ^{[7] X Research Resources} An hour and a half before the exam, go through the smaller topics and topics in your mind. As always, check your notes again if you get stuck. Use flashcards to jot down small details if you haven’t already. Stop studying at least 15 minutes before the exam, but an hour is better. If you’ve spent enough time studying, you’ll feel ready and comfortable.

Identify the questions in the exam

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/e/ea/Prepare-for-an-Exam-Step-15.jpg/v4-728px-Prepare-for-an-Exam- Step-15.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/e/ea/Prepare-for-an-Exam-Step-15.jpg/v4-728px-Prepare- for-an-Exam-Step-15.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser -output”></div>”}

Review previous exams. If you have friends who took exams last year or last semester, ask them if they can see theirs. Make a note of the questions that have been answered, the answers marked as correct and incorrect. If you’re in college, some schools keep track of class exams. You can contact your professor to ask to see those papers.

While past tests may not give you the exact questions that will appear in the upcoming test, it will also give you an idea of how knowledge will be tested.
This will also tell you how the test will be graded. You’ll know if your answers should be long and detailed, or if the answers need to be direct and to the point. If you have the opportunity to review a test with answers, pay attention to the high-scoring questions and the low-scoring questions. In addition, you should also pay attention to the side notes that the examiner may explain about the points that have been deducted.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/e/e5/Prepare-for-an-Exam-Step-16.jpg/v4-728px-Prepare-for-an-Exam- Step-16.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/e/e5/Prepare-for-an-Exam-Step-16.jpg/v4-728px-Prepare- for-an-Exam-Step-16.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser -output”></div>”}

Determine the format of the test. Looking at past tests can help you see what the test will look like, whether it will be a multiple choice test, a test that requires short answers, or an essay. It also gives you more ideas on how to review. Does the test ask for specifics like the date and time of the event, or does it just test the big ideas with interpretation in the form of an essay?

If you understand the format of the test, you will know what lessons to learn, and how detailed or extensive they need to be presented.
You will also be able to estimate the scale. Is the essay section more valuable than the multiple-choice part? When you study past exams, you can review what you’ve learned and reassess.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/e/e9/Prepare-for-an-Exam-Step-17.jpg/v4-728px-Prepare-for-an-Exam- Step-17.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/e/e9/Prepare-for-an-Exam-Step-17.jpg/v4-728px-Prepare- for-an-Exam-Step-17.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser -output”></div>”}

Go to class the day before the test. A day or two before the test, teachers often provide more information about the test. Sometimes teachers even state exactly what will and will not be on the test, although that is not always the case. Your teacher can also provide review instructions when giving information, which you might miss out if you don’t attend school on these days.

Form a study group

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/e/ea/Prepare-for-an-Exam-Step-18.jpg/v4-728px-Prepare-for-an-Exam- Step-18.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/e/ea/Prepare-for-an-Exam-Step-18.jpg/v4-728px-Prepare- for-an-Exam-Step-18.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser -output”></div>”}

Study with a classmate. Find a friend or group of friends in class and review together. Formal study groups are not required. You can simply re-read each other’s notes to see if you missed anything, and discuss the concepts you think will come up on the test.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/2/28/Prepare-for-an-Exam-Step-19.jpg/v4-728px-Prepare-for-an-Exam- Step-19.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/2/28/Prepare-for-an-Exam-Step-19.jpg/v4-728px-Prepare- for-an-Exam-Step-19.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser -output”></div>”}

Check each other. Ask each person questions that might appear on the test. Use flashcards to ask each other, or ask friends to come up with new questions you hadn’t thought of. Even using the same question that you write on your flashcards, you may find that the experience is different when someone else asks you. Chances are your friends will hold you accountable for answering the question completely.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/e/e4/Prepare-for-an-Exam-Step-20.jpg/v4-728px-Prepare-for-an-Exam- Step-20.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/e/e4/Prepare-for-an-Exam-Step-20.jpg/v4-728px-Prepare- for-an-Exam-Step-20.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser -output”></div>”}

Talk to your friends about concepts. Sometimes you can learn more simply by discussing concepts in conversations with people other than your teacher. As a result, you can understand the information in a different way, which even deepens your understanding. You can bring snacks to a group of friends or meet at a coffee shop to create an intimate, comfortable and fun atmosphere.

Advice

Take frequent breaks. This will give your brain a rest.
If you study well and sleep well at night, you will be able to remember the knowledge better.
Spend less time surfing social media (e.g. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.)
Don’t try to complete the review process quickly. Taking the time to review your notes will help you remember the lesson content.
Remember to take frequent breaks to help your brain process information unconsciously.
Don’t wait until the last minute to study. You will be exhausted and will not be well prepared for the test. Moreover, the brain also needs time to process information.
Always jot down important parts of your notes, this will help you remember.
Take it easy and work at your own pace to understand the concept you are learning.
Study for at least 30-45 minutes, then take a 5-10 minute break.
Try to select key words or important words in definitions or notes so that they are easy to remember.
Use colors, notes, and diagrams to aid review if you’re a visual learner.

Warning

Do not stay up all night to study. Night-time cramming is not a good idea. Make sure you get enough sleep before the test day.
Don’t take unnecessary notes to fill the pages of your notebook, because when you reread, you will miss important notes.
Do not study all at once. Review is most effective when you study a little each day.
Don’t wait for the water to reach your feet before jumping. You will not be able to prepare well for the test. In addition, the brain needs time to process information.

Steps