How to Maximize Test Scores and Improve Content Knowledge
Most students enter the final exam week with dread, contemplating long hours of last minute cramming in the wee hours before the exam; but it doesn't have to be that way.
Most students enter the final exam week with dread, contemplating long hours of last minute cramming in the wee hours before the exam; but it doesn't have to be that way.
In the 1973 film The Paper Chase, two law students flee the dormitory toward the end of the movie at the start of final exam week. “Panic has descended,” one of them exclaims, and they check into a local motel, making sure to have the television set removed. Although preparation for the final exam should begin on the first day of the semester, there are many things students can do to maximize their final scores:
(a) Find a quiet place to study devoid of any distractions
(b) Have only the study materials relative to the course being tested
(c) Set specific study times and stick to the schedule
While everyone studies differently, these basic tips usually work for most people. Some students may actually do better while listening to music or studying outdoors; others find these environments distracting. On a college campus, the serenity of a library may be a perfect place to study.
Studying to the Exam
Students should determine what material will be covered on the exam or, at the very least, what will be emphasized. Some professors will give study guides, provide brief study itineraries, yet there are always those who, when asked what focus areas to concentrate on, will reply indifferently, “everything!”
If the course included prior exams or quizzes, these may serve as a good indicator of the final exam format. It is definitely helpful to know whether the final exam will be essay, multiple choice, or a variation of both. Students should not be shy or intimidated by politely asking about the exam format. Additionally, it is helpful to know what material will be covered: “will all of the supplemental books and handouts be a part of the final exam?”
Study Groups and Final Exam Preparation
Study groups are an excellent way to discuss key concepts throughout the semester. Stronger members can help weaker ones understand important points. A good study group brings to the table already studied and researched material solely for discussion. Quizzing each other as a form of testing preparation takes away from the focus of a study group: even a dorm mate or friend can quiz terms from note cards or prepared outlines.
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