by Kathleen Gilligan

Created on: November 16, 2007   Last Updated: January 05, 2008

The Best Way to Prepare for History Exams

Learning about history can be incredibly exciting, or incredibly dull. No matter how interesting the class is, if you don't learn the material, you won't do well on your exam. Here are a couple of ways to prepare for history exams.

1 Read the assigned chapters
Sounds easy. It can be, that is, as long as you keep up during the semester. Don't fall behind or you'll regret it later. Most chapters in history texts aren't very long, but can be packed with information. Try reading a little bit at a time until you complete the assigned reading. Because you take breaks, you'll remember more later.

2 Take notes in class
Your teacher may be a lecturer, and if he/she is, you need to take good notes. It may be tempting to daydream or draw instead of writing what your professor is saying, but it will hurt you in the long run. Make sure your notes are legible and thorough. If you miss a class, ask a friend if you can copy their notes! Often, professors give exam questions on information they lecture about. Paying attention and copying down what teachers say will definitely help you for the exam.

3 Know what material you will be tested on/what kind of test it is
Double check with your professor and classmates exactly what will be on the exam. You don't want to spend ages studying the wrong chapters, or learning names and dates you'll never need to know. Also find out the test format. Will it be essay questions? How many? Knowing this will help you prepare.

4 Study in advance
Don't wait to the last minute to crack open your book! Study a little each day. Before you go out with your friends, reread your notes from that day's class. It could take less than ten minutes. It'll be less you have to learn later.

5 Make a timeline
If you are studying a certain period in history, or a certain civilization, make a timeline of events. Note the important ones, and include any details you think are important. This will help you keep track of what happened, and when. It will also prevent you from mixing up similar events. If you need to, create a simple way of remembering things, using familiar objects or names that you will associate with the correct events.

6 Make note cards
Write vocabulary words, events, people, and places on note cards with their definitions/details on the other side. Keep them with you and pull them out every once in awhile. It only takes a minute to flip through them. Quiz yourself regularly until you've memorized them. You can do this

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