FINAL EXAM PREPARATION Presented by: Eric B. Miller Academic Advisor.

FINAL EXAM PREPARATION

Presented by:Eric B. MillerAcademic Advisor

Do you feel like this when you start thinking about

preparing for final exams?

After today you will know… Your learning & studying preferences

What your study schedule is for final exams

Helpful Tips to Achieve Successful Studying Organize Spend Time Wisely Strategize to Overcome Problems

Tips for Taking a Final Exam

What is your learning preference?

Before you can begin preparing, you need to understand how

you learn best…

Visual Learners:

Create an Outline. Use colors when taking notes. Draw on your notes to bring attention to key concepts.

Use graphs, charts & drawings while studying to help you relate the material.

Flash cards are helpful while studying, useful in self-testing

Pre-test are also helpful for visual learners.

Minimize any distractions

Study Tips for Specific Learning Styles

Auditory Learners:

Use audio cues to learn information (e.g. creating rhymes or songs).

Use audio recordings of lectures/notes to retain information.

Read out loud as you study.

Study with a partner and take turns teaching each other the material.


Tactile/Experiential Learners:

Use projects and experiments to learn information.

Use formulas if possible.

Create models & graphs to retain information.

Keep a stress ball handy


Organize – So you know where to start!

When will you have time to study? 168 hours in a week

Block out committed times Work/School/Other required commitments

Block out sleep, eating, and personal readiness

Look at times left and other needs

Organize – Study Plan

For each class identify difficulty and final exam preparation needs Cumulative Exam? Percentage towards final grade?

What materials should I study? Use syllabus and notes to determine topics to study How much emphasis was put on each topic area or chapter? Rate your level of knowledge

(1=none to 10=completely comprehend) Based on all of the above, designate blocks of

time you study for each course. Be sure to keep in mind how much time you have until your

first exam and in between each exam Use your “Exam Planner” to help organize!

Spend Time Wisely!!

Plan for adequate sleep, exercise, and meals

The remaining class and study times are precious – miss only for extreme reasons!!

Watch your energy and anxiety levels

A little anxiety is a good thing—what if you have too much anxiety?

Find a comfortable and quiet place to study

Bring EVERYTHING you need with you.

HIGHLIGHT definitions

Take notes and write down a summary of important ideas as you read through material. Test yourself as you go along.

TAKE SHORT BREAKS PERIODICALLY

DON’T just read through and try to memorize material, make sure you understand the material well and can apply it.

If you choose to study in a group, only study with others who are SERIOUS!

Study Skills Help & Study Tips

Strategize to Overcome Problems

Pay attention to your attention

Agree with Roommates about study time

Turn off the phone/TV/Candycrush

Learn to say “no”

Hang out a “do not disturb” sign

Avoid noise distractions

Are you letting others misuse your time?


When you get stuck…

What is one task I can accomplish? Am I being too hard on myself? Does this need to be perfect? Can I do just one more thing? What is the best use of my time right now? Can I delegate this? How did I just waste time? (cleaning

bathroom) Am I using all the resources available to me?

http://library.mtsu.edu/finalstoolkit


Avoid Procrastination…

Make your plans a part of public record

Study with others

Step back and check your progress from time to time

Verbalize your excuses

Visualize success or completion

Find a reward

◦ PREPARE: good preparation helps you focus on the task at hand. Know where you’re going and arrive early for test. Be comfortable. Stay relaxed and confident. Trust in your preparation. Don’t try to pull an all-nighter. Get as much sleep as possible

before the test.

◦ DURING TEST: Read the directions carefully. If there is time, look through test for overview. Answer questions in a strategic order: easy questions first Clear your mind - write down key ideas

◦ REVIEW: Resist the urge to leave as soon as you complete all items. Be the last

to leave. Review to ensure you answered all questions and did not make simple

mistakes.

Test Taking Strategies/Tips:

Read questions before you look at answers. Come up with the answer in your head before looking at possible answers.

Read all choices before choosing your answer.

Eliminate answers you know are not right.

Don’t keep changing your answer, usually your first choice is right, unless you misread the question.

Test Taking Tips – Multiple Choice

Read the directions carefully and don’t forget to answer all parts of the question.

Make estimates for your answers:

e.g., before using your calculator, estimate the answer (5x500=2500) just in case a mistake or error occurs when using your calculator.

Show all your work; write legibly

Even if you know the final answer is wrong, don’t erase your entire work because you may get partial credit for using the correct procedure.

Test Taking Tips – Math Test

Spend an equal or greater amount of time preparing as you would for a normal test.

Familiarize yourself with the book and relevant materials.

If allowed, write down all the important formulas and key information on a separate sheet so you don’t have to search through your book for it.

Highlight important points, use post-it notes, bookmarks, etc.

Use quotations from the book to support your view, but don’t over quote.

Test Taking Tips – Open Book Test

Read the directions carefully.

Make sure you understand what the question is asking.

Budget your time.

Make an outline before writing your essay.

Focus on one main idea per paragraph.

If you aren’t sure about an exact date or number, use approximations i.e. “Approximately 5000” or “ In the late 17th century”

Test Taking Tips – Essay Test

A word about Test Anxiety

Test Anxiety is a feeling of agitation and distress. It can occur while thinking about an test or during a test. It can result in difficult concentrating, mental blocks and distractibility.

The best defense against Test Anxiety is:1. Be well prepared for test2. Think positively3. Get a good night’s sleep4. Arrive in plenty of time; dress comfortable5. Calm yourself during test by taking deep

breaths, stretching, and positive internal self-talk

Today I hope you learned…

• A little about your Learning and Studying Style

• How to plan for your final exams

• Strategies to manage your time effectively

• Ideas about overcoming challenges

• Some test taking tips

• Ways to overcome test anxiety

QUESTIONS??

Eric B. MillerAcademic Advisor

[email protected] (615) 898-2339

Please fill out the survey on this website to confirm your attendance and to give feedback

on this session:https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/

GWSB665

FINAL EXAM PREPARATION Presented by: Eric B. Miller Academic Advisor.

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