Study Skills & Test-Taking Strategies

• Find a good place to study
  • Well-lit
  • Comfortable
  • Free from distractions
• If you like to study to music, try classical music
• Get started
• Don’t put it off...begin with something simple

Visual Learners

• Learn best from films, pictures, TV, reading, and demonstrations.
• Flash cards, notes, charts, and diagrams are helpful

Kinesthetic Learners

• Learn best by doing- role playing, labs, hands-on activities
• Move around while you study

Auditory Learners

• Learn best from lectures, discussions, TV, films, and music.
• Read aloud, have discussions, listen to tapes, use memory tricks involving rhythm and rhyme.

• Use an assignment notebook
• Write down your assignments for every class, every day
• Break down large assignments into smaller parts, giving yourself deadlines for getting each part done.
• Use 3 ring notebooks for class notes
• Easy to insert handouts and keep items in order.
• Use colored folders for homework.
• Use a different color for each class.
• When you finish an assignment, put it in the folder and put your folder in your backpack.
• Keep returned assignments in one side of the folder, so you can look back at them when you study.
• Have phone numbers for classmates.
• If you are absent you can call someone to find out what you missed.
• Keep your locker and backpack neat.
• Always put loose papers in the appropriate folder before putting them in your locker or backpack.
• Get organized before you go to bed.
• Put completed work in the appropriate folder and put folders in your backpack.  Keep it in the same place each night. 
• If you need to remember to do something in the morning, leave yourself a note.

• Be an active listener
• Don’t just hear what your teacher is saying, think about it and try to understand the material.
• Take notes
• Taking notes helps you pay attention
• Recognize important information
• Pay attention to teacher cues when they emphasize important points.  Anything written on the board should be in your notes.
• Underline or hi-light things you feel are most important
• Make your notes easy to read
• Write the date and the name of the class at the top of each notes page
• Write on every other line and only use one side of paper
• Use symbols and abbreviations when possible.
• Use pencil
• Leave a wide margin on the left side so you can add key notes there later.
• Go over your notes as soon as possible
• Get copies of notes if you are absent.

• Use class time wisely
• Always use the time teachers give you in class to start on homework, ask questions, and get help.
• Create a study plan
• Schedule the time you are going to spend on homework, and stick to it.
• Don’t let distractions (TV, phone calls, etc.) get you off schedule.

• Make a plan
• Decide what you are going to get done and the order you are going to do it in. Make sure you spend the most time on the most important things.
• Break overwhelming projects into smaller parts
• Allow more time than you think you will need.
• Study your least favorite subject first.
• Take short breaks every 20-30 minutes.

• Start studying early
• Don’t leave everything for the night before the test.
• Visualize yourself doing well.
• Mentally practice the testing experience.
• See yourself calm and confident.
• Walk into the test with confidence.
• Keep your head up and shoulders back.
• How you act can affect how you feel and how you perform.

• Take a deep breath, hold it, and then slowly release the breath and the tension.
• Start at the top of your head, flexing, and then relaxing each part of your body.
• Close your eyes and let your arms hang down at your sides.  As you relax, visualize the tension from your head, neck, and shoulders flowing down your arms and out through your fingertips.
• Close your eyes, visualize warm sunshine washing over you, melting away the tension, and relaxing all of your muscles.
• Think of a place where you feel very relaxed and calm.  Close your eyes and visualize being in that place.

• Get off to a good start
• Have everything you need with you- pencil, calculator, etc.
• Write down things you want to remember as soon as you get the test- facts, dates, equations, etc.
• Put your name on the test and read the directions carefully.
• Develop a plan
• Look over the entire test and decide how much time you are going to spend on each part.
• Mark the questions you want to return to. If you have time, you can go back and look at the question again.
• Check your answers
• Always use all the time you are given
• Go over all returned tests
• You may see these questions again.
• Keep record of your test scores and keep them in your returned assignments folder.
• Get help when you need it!If you are struggling, get help.  Talk to your teacher, counselor, or parents if you have questions.
• Don’t let a problem go for so long that it can’t be solved.  Get help early.

• Eliminate all choices you know are incorrect. Read all the answer choices- Don’t be tempted to go with the first answer that sounds good.
• Sometimes questions can give you information about other questions on the test.

• Statements with always, never, every, all, and none are usually false.  Statements with usually, often, most, sometimes, most, and many in them are usually true.
• Read carefully: one word will often determine whether a statement is true or false.

• Read each question and start with the easiest, to build confidence and give you more time to think about the harder questions.
• Brainstorm before writing.  Jot down key words, and ideas, and points you want to cover.  If you have time, make a quick outline.
• Begin writing.  Use clear, concise, complete sentences.  Write legibly. Make sure you have an introduction, a middle (with your key points, examples, details, etc.), and a conclusion.
• Reread the essay when you are done.

• Before starting, try to estimate what the answer will be.
• Draw a picture or diagram.
• Don’t spend too much time on one problem- skip it and go to the next one.  Come back to it later.
• Show all your work