Actually, there really is no ONE way to prepare for an exam. Every student is different, and each one will have a different way of preparing for an exam. However, the time spent before class ever begins is almost as important as what is said or done in the class. So let's look at a way to make studying for that exam something that shouldn't take all night the night before.

First, if you know what books you will be using for the class and have access to them before meeting the class, look through them BEFORE ever meeting the class! Take a little time to acclimate yourself with the way the text is set up, and notice whether important points are highlighted, underlined, italicized, numbered, or just left to be picked out during reading. Most textbooks will be easy to figure out; make a mental note to yourself about the way the text is set up. Be sure to take all textbooks for the class to the first meeting of the class; you don't know yet which one the teacher will begin with.

Second, make sure you have plenty of paper for class notes, and plenty of pens or pencils to use. Make a note of anything the teacher repeats, writes on the board, or otherwise emphasizes. Emphasis can just be an anecdote to illustrate the point; you might want to jot down enough to help you remember the anecdote, too.

Third, write down any assignment the teacher makes, unless it is handed to you on a typed sheet of paper. Any extra instructions also need to be noted on your sheet. Make sure you know what date any assignments are due; a late paper can have a hefty "fine" in the way of points taken off.

If the class revolves around oral reports, at any time, make sure you take notes on those reports! The teacher may decide to use the written notes that he or she has made on the reports, to call attention to something that is important in the reports. If you take notes, you are less likely to miss those important points.

Review your notes as soon as possible after the class. If you can, get together with a classmate and compare notes. Both of you will benefit from the exercise.

As soon as you know that an exam is scheduled and when it will be, begin reviewing for it, with all the material it will cover. Read and re-read your notes; make up questions that could be asked and then take time to write out an answer to each question without looking at your notes. Then check the answers you wrote against the book and your notes.

Remember that a FINAL exam is usually over the ENTIRE course. Keep reviewing the earlier notes, but don't dwell on them to the exclusion of the new notes. Remember, too, that in some classes each exam will build on the information covered in the exams before it. So don't forget to continue to review, review, and review.

If you follow these suggestions, you should do well on your exams. Good luck, and good grades to you!

Learn more about this author, Barbara A. Black.
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