How to Successfully Complete the Exam

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This article was co-written by Ted Dorsey, MA. Ted Dorsey is a test prep tutor, author, and founder of Tutor Ted, an organization that provides SAT and ACT tutoring in Southern California. Ted achieved very high scores on the SAT (1600) and PSAT (240) in high school. Later, he also achieved high scores on the ACT (36), SAT Literacy Test (800), and SAT Level 2 Math Test (800). He holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Princeton University and a master’s degree in education from the University of California, Los Angeles.

There are 12 references cited in this article that you can view at the bottom of the page.

This article has been viewed 91,572 times.

Surely we have all experienced hearing a teacher announce the exam schedule and start to worry. Maybe you feel like you haven’t studied enough, or you just want to make sure you can get the best results. Whatever it is, the good news is that you’re getting close to a 10 – because you came to this article to learn how to do well on the test! Whether you have plenty of time to review or you’re sprinting, we can help you succeed.

Table of Contents

Take notes in class. ^{[1] X Research Source}

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Teachers often review test content during class, so you need to pay attention to what he/she says. Prepare a separate notebook that you will use only for that subject, and take notes of important facts or information mentioned by the teacher. If the teacher repeats something, writes information on the board, or emphasizes a topic, remember to write it down in your notebook because that is important information to remember.

Use bullets and symbols so you can take notes faster without missing information, and help you write content in a straight line. You certainly don’t want to struggle to read your handwriting!
Try writing notes in the form of flowcharts or concept maps so you can group similar ideas and topics. ^{[2] X Research Source}
If you miss something, ask a classmate or teacher after class to add it.

Find out what the teacher’s requirements are. ^{[3] X Research Sources}

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If you’re still not sure what to study for the test, talk to your teacher after class. Don’t be afraid to let your teacher know you’re confused and ask about topics you need to review. You can also ask question types that will appear on the test to find similar sample questions. Teachers want you to do well academically, so they will help you stay on track.

Maybe the teacher will give you an outline or a mock test so you can refer to the questions that are close to what you will see on the real test.

Review lesson content every day. ^{[4] X Research Sources}

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Although this may seem unnecessary, you will remember a lot of information if you study every day. Choose a distraction-free time to organize your work and review what you need to study for the exam. Reread your class notes so you remember important definitions or formulas.

If you have to read something, take notes on the text so you remember it better.

Focus on topics you don’t understand yet. ^{[5] X Research Sources}

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Review your notes and write down the parts you don’t understand on another piece of paper. While reviewing, review your textbook or lecture material to find information on a topic you are not familiar with. Once you find a topic to reinforce, be sure to write down facts, names, and other important concepts that may come up in the test.

Write all exam review topics on a memory card and review them every day. When you feel confused with a certain topic, put the cards on top so that you pay attention to review those sections first.
Once you understand the topic, try stopping reviewing it for 1-2 days. When it’s time to review, you’ll try to see if you’ve memorized all of the content.

Take the test. ^{[6] X Research Source}

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Maybe your teacher gave you practice tests, but if not, you can still search online. Take the mock test as if it were the real test. Don’t look at your notes and set a timer to get you used to answering questions. After completing the mock test, you will compare your answers to see your shortcomings. Don’t forget to review your notes related to the topic or question you didn’t do well on.

The mock test will help you reduce the stress of taking the real test because you are familiar with the time pressure and the topics covered in the test.
If you can’t find a mock test, you can also prepare yourself. Look for end-of-chapter questions in your textbook and rewrite your own questions based on notes or class discussion.

Rewrite important topics in your own words. ^{[7] X Research Sources}

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Writing gives you the opportunity to analyze content and remember information better. Just pick a topic from your notebook or textbook and rewrite it on a new page. Take a few minutes to write down all the information that you remember about the topic so that your comprehension can be assessed. If you don’t remember the information, just open your textbooks, lectures, and notes to review.

Remember to check the accuracy of what you have written. Even if you think you remember well, make sure the information is correct.
Try to write information as if you were teaching someone. This way, you can understand the content more concisely.

School groups. ^{[8] X Research Sources}

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Group study gives you the opportunity to compare notes, ask questions, and discuss topics you still don’t understand to see which sections you should focus on. ^{[9] X Research Source} Choose somewhere quiet and free of distractions, such as the library or someone’s home, for group study. Discuss topics that the group is struggling with and prioritize those sections first. ^{[10] X Research Source}

Create a group review outline with sample questions from books or online sources.
Try explaining topics to group members in turn so you don’t have to read the book alone.
Don’t forget to take a few 10-minute breaks during group study so that the whole group can relax and have fun together.

Get enough sleep before the test day. ^{[11] X Research Source}

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Your brain needs a rest before an important exam, and sleep can help you remember what you’ve learned. Avoid eating or drinking caffeine before bed so you can fall asleep easily. Limit the use of your phone or other electronic device because a bright screen may prevent you from feeling drowsy. Turn off all the lights in the room before going to bed and resting. ^{[12] X Research Source}

If your mind is still full of thoughts before bed, try meditating or reading to calm and relax.

Eat a healthy breakfast. ^{[13] X Research Source}

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You’ve probably heard that this is the most important meal of the day, and it’s even more important when you have to concentrate on the test. Try eating oats as this is a mental energy food to get you through the morning. You can also try eating almonds, yogurt, and fruit to stay energized. Even eating an apple 30 minutes before a test can help you stay awake and ready for the “battle”. ^{[14] X Research Source}

A balanced diet with fruits and vegetables also helps you focus better during the test. ^{[15] X Research Source}

Boost your spirits with positive affirmations. ^{[16] X Research Source}

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If you keep saying that you will not do well on the test, you are forming negative thoughts. Instead, say “I prepared well for the test and I will do well” or “I am a bright person and I can finish the test”. By motivating yourself, you will feel more confident and will no longer worry about taking the test.

Avoid saying negative things to your classmates. For example, don’t tell your classmates that you’re nervous or that you haven’t studied enough.

View the entire exam now. ^{[17] X Research Source}

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You will not be able to divide the time to answer each question if you do not know the content of the test. Skim through the entire test so you know the types of questions and topics to work on. Take note of the essay or essay questions as this is the part that consumes a lot of your time. Once you know the length of the test, you’ll know how to distribute your focus.

Read each question carefully before answering. ^{[18] X Research Sources}

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Make sure you understand the question well so you don’t accidentally misread and make mistakes. As you read the question, guess what the answer is before looking at the other options. Next is to see if any of the choices match your answer prediction.

If you are confused when reading a question on the test, ask your teacher for further explanation. Maybe your classmates have similar questions.

Start with the easiest questions. ^{[19] X Research Source}

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Look at keywords or words in the questions and answers to see if you’re familiar with the topic. Answer any question you know for sure right away so you don’t have to come back. If you’re confused or don’t know the answer, don’t worry. Let’s ignore that question for the moment and come back at the last minute when you have more time to focus on it. ^{[20] X Research Sources}

Correct answers on multiple-choice tests are usually grammatically correct or contain words similar to the question.
Words like “no”, “never”, “always” and “only” in a true or false question are often false. ^{[21] X Research Source}

Review the test when you’re done. ^{[22] X Research Source}

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It’s easy to make silly mistakes when you’re nervous about the test. When you finish the test, review the answers if you have time to avoid mistakes. If you notice a mistake or something is incorrect, correct it immediately before submitting your test. Submit your work when you are sure there are no mistakes left.

Even if you don’t answer correctly, you may still be able to “save” a few points for your effort and neatness.

Advice

Don’t stress when your classmate turns in before you. Take the test at a leisurely pace to make sure you can give your best effort and answer the questions fully.
Talk to your teacher if you’re having trouble in class to find ways to improve.

Warning

Don’t cheat while taking the test as you will get in serious trouble with the school.

Steps

Take notes in class. [1] X Research Source

Find out what the teacher’s requirements are. [3] X Research Sources

Review lesson content every day. [4] X Research Sources

Focus on topics you don’t understand yet. [5] X Research Sources

Take the test. [6] X Research Source

Rewrite important topics in your own words. [7] X Research Sources

School groups. [8] X Research Sources

Get enough sleep before the test day. [11] X Research Source

Eat a healthy breakfast. [13] X Research Source

Boost your spirits with positive affirmations. [16] X Research Source

View the entire exam now. [17] X Research Source

Read each question carefully before answering. [18] X Research Sources

Start with the easiest questions. [19] X Research Source

Review the test when you’re done. [22] X Research Source