Some exams in courses such as chemistry, physics, accounting, statistics, and math require you to solve problems. The following suggestions have proven successful for test preparation:

1. PREDICT AND CREATE your own practice test problems. Do this about two days before the exam by reviewing the problems done in class, lthe problems from the chapter (examples throughout and problems at the end of the chapter), the problems from old quizzes and tests, the problems from homework assignments, and the problems from worksheets. Them try to create and write your own problems—if you really understand a concept, you should be able to do this. If you have difficulty with this step, work with someone or ask the professor for sample problems.

2. REVIEW AND STUDY by summarizing in your own words the steps or processes for all the concepts or formulas which will be on the test. Do this several times without looking at your notes or the textbook.

3. PREPARE YOUR PRACTICE EXAM by typing it. Do this two days before the exam. If you are doing this with a partner, switch exams so you have two exams for practice.

4. TAKE YOUR PRACTICE EXAM without the use of any aids. Time yourself so you will be under the same time pressure situation as the test. If you can be in the actual classroom, this is even better—remember the principle of state dependent memory. Do this the night before the exam, or earlier if possible.

5. CORRECT THE EXAM to determine what you do know and what you still need to study. If you did poorly, plan to retake the practice exam one more time. Remember the importance of overtraining.

ONE FINAL SUGGESTION:

Courses such as these must be studied every night in a gradual fashion. If you do poorly on these exams or if you have severe test anxiety, you may need to incorporate in your life’s schedule one hour of study every day. It is such a painless, yet effective, remedy.