Three Ways to Study for a Test

Welcome! You’ve arrived at just the right time. We’ll be discussing several tips for effectively studying for a test, which will help you maximize your study time and achieve a score you’ll be proud of. You can also personalize these tips to fit your needs, so be sure to try out what works best for you! 😊

No more waiting around; let’s get right into it! ⌚

First, review the material you’ve learned by making flashcards. Simply reading over your notes, again and again, isn’t going to help—get the material deep into your brain by practicing with flashcards! 🧠

An excellent online resource is Quizlet. Quizlet allows you to customize your vocab terms and review them using activities like Learn (a personalized program to fit your knowledge of the material), Spell (practicing spelling words correctly), and Test (taking a practice test on the terms). 📝

If online flashcards aren’t your cup of tea, index cards are a great substitute. If you’re studying vocabulary, write the word on one side and the definition on the other. Another idea is to write a practice question on one side and the answer on the other. Test yourself, and then flip the card over to see if you’re right! Set aside the cards you struggled with or got wrong to review again. 🚴‍♀️

Emphasis on active recall: Test yourself by taking practice tests! If you’re studying for a standardized exam like the SAT or ACT, there should be many free practice tests online. Print them out and use them to practice questions similar to those you’ll see on the actual exam. 👌

Be sure to take practice tests in the same environment as the actual test (timing yourself to ensure you finish on time. This means that distractions like phones and laptops) will have to be put away from your reach! 💻

If you’re unable to find any practice tests online, grab a study buddy. A great way to test each other’s knowledge is by writing your tests, swapping them with your partner, and boom! You now have a practice test to use as a reference. 💯

Speaking of study buddies...

Studying for an exam can be pretty daunting if you’re doing it independently. However, it doesn’t have to be so isolating if you form a study group! 👨‍👨‍👧‍👧

A study group will keep you accountable and maximize your productivity. With study buddies beside you, you can ask questions or share a laugh as you study late into the night. 🤣

You can choose to meet either in person or virtually. If you’re meeting in person, choose a place like a coffee shop or a library. Some people study better in public areas because it forces them to stay on task. If you’re meeting virtually, a Discord call or FaceTime session is excellent to get everyone in the group on at once. ❓

Check out Fiveable’s Discord server to study with other students taking the same classes as you! 💡

BONUS TIP TIME! If you find yourself getting tired and distracted while studying, try the Pomodoro Technique. This study strategy splits your studying into bite-sized pieces that give you breaks in between. 🍔

You can choose your time blocks, but a good one to start with is either 25 minutes of focused study with a 5-minute gap in between or 45 minutes of focused study with a 10-15 minute break in between. Try out a few different time blocks and see what’s best for you! ⌛

It’s essential to stay hydrated during long study sessions! During your breaks, be sure to give yourself a brain break. Grab a quick snack, like a granola bar, and refill your water bottle. It can also be helpful to get up from your seat and stretch for a few minutes before diving straight back into the books. 😋

Many teachers will test you based on the information you learned and practiced on previous papers and assignments, so it’s a good idea to review them. Look back at the mistakes you made and the areas you struggled in. ❌

Even better? Spend five minutes to jot down everything you know now and compare them to your notes. This will give you a better idea of the topics you’re weak at and help you pinpoint areas you should focus on reviewing! 🤓

Pat yourself on the back—you’ve made it to the end of this article! The most important takeaway is that your score doesn’t define you. Both your mental and physical health are more important than your scores, so be sure you’re taking care of yourself in between your study sessions. 😌

So what are you waiting for? Check out Fiveable for more resources, and let’s get to studying! 👏