How to Study for a Big Test

Co-authored by Jai Flicker

Studying for a test is always somewhat stressful, especially if you have a big exam on the horizon. With some time and dedication, however, you can get a great grade on any big test. First, cultivate good study materials and find a quality study environment. From there, work on creating and sticking to a strict study schedule. Then, make the most of the time you spend studying. Effective studying can help you get a great grade on a big exam. You should also work on managing your overall stress level so you don't go into the exam feeling overwhelmed.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Studying Effectively

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Ask your teacher about the nature of the exam. This will help you direct your studies logically. If it's an essay exam, for example, you may want to write practice essays. If it's multiple choice, you may want to test yourself before the exam. If your teacher has not explained his or her format, it's perfectly acceptable to ask about the format at some point during class.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Jai Flicker
Academic Tutor
Expert Interview. 20 May 2020.}
2
Start off with a positive attitude. You want to go into studying feeling positive. A good attitude can help you keep up your stamina throughout the studying process. It can also set the tone for a productive studying session.^{[2]
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- Think positive. Remind yourself of your skills and abilities. Think of studying as a way to build up your skill set and learn more.
- Do not compare yourself to others when studying. Keep the focus on yourself and your abilities rather than comparing yourself to others in your class.
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3
Use memory games. Memory games can be an effective means to memorize difficult information. You can, for example, make up a sentence to help you remember a list or equation. A common memory game is the sentence, "Every Good Boy Deserves Fun." This helps students remember the five notes in treble clef (EGBDF). See if you can come up with similar memory games on your own.^{[3]
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4
Test yourself frequently. This is far more effective than simply re-reading the textbook. As you study, find ways to test yourself on the information. This will help you retain information later in a test setting.^{[4]
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- For example, you can write down questions for yourself to answer later. If the teacher offers any practice tests, always take them.
- You can also use things like flashcards to help you memorize names, dates, and vocabulary.
5
Take breaks and reward yourself.^{[5]
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Expert Source

Jai Flicker
Academic Tutor
Expert Interview. 20 May 2020.} No one can study for hours on end without a break. You will study far more effectively if you give yourself breaks and rewards throughout the studying process.^{[6]
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- Take short breaks to do something you enjoy. For example, after 50 minutes of studying, you can allow yourself to go on Facebook for 10 minutes.
- Reward yourself. You'll be more motivated to get through a study session if you reward yourself with, say, a slice of pizza afterwards.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Managing the Pressure of a Big Test

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Make studying a priority. Do not put off studying. This will only make the exam more stressful. You will better retain information if you space out your studying over a period of weeks. In the weeks leading up the exam, make sure that you make studying a priority.^{[7]
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- Review your notes after class. Read over your notes right after class or at least on the same day that you took them. This will help you better remember information you learned during lectures.
2
Put the test into perspective. It's important to know what the stakes are. You want to understand how serious the exam is, and how much it will affect your final grade. However, try not to let the serious nature of the exam overwhelm you.^{[8]
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- If you need to pass the test to pass the course, then it is understandable that you might be feeling worried. However, keep in mind that if you do not pass the exam, then retaking the course is still an option.
- Try your best, but understand you may not do as well on the exam as you hoped. A grade that's less than perfect might be upsetting, but remember that it is not the end of the world. You can always learn from the grade and set a goal to do better on your next exam.
3
Confide in others. It's a bad idea to keep any stress you're having bottled up. If you're nervous about an exam, let friends and family members know. Venting can help you get stress out of your system.^{[9]
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- Are you close to other students in your class? If so, talk over your concerns about the test with them. It's likely that other people are dealing with the same levels of stress and may be able to relate.
- Vent to your close friends and family members. These people can support you as you prepare for the exam, and may even have solid suggestions for coping.
4
Be proactive about dealing with setbacks. If you're struggling with test materials, it's important not to panic. For example, if you are struggling to understand an equation that will be on a math exam, then beating yourself up will only make it worse. Instead of flying into panic mode, be proactive. Seek help to overcome this setback.^{[10]
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- Talk to your teacher, a tutor, or other students. Find someone who can help you address the issue and receive a good grade on the exam.
- Deal with the issue head on. Panic and avoidance are unlikely to help with your stress level.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Setting Up for Success

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Find a productive study spot. You will want to stake out a few study spots you can come to as you prepare. Figure out what to look for when you're seeking out a space to study.^{[11]
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- Look for a quiet area that's free of outside distractions.^{[12]
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  Jai Flicker
  Academic Tutor
  Expert Interview. 20 May 2020.} Your dorm room, for example, may be a poor spot to study as you'll be tempted by your television, computer, and other entertainment devices.
- Look for quiet spots away from loud noises. Is there a quiet coffee shop on campus? Is there a place in the library that's somewhat removed? You don't want to try to study in a place that may be interrupted by loud noises and gatherings.
2
Vary your study spots. You should not study in the same spot every day. It can be draining to stay in the same spot for hours on end. You may retain more information if you break up study sessions between multiple study spots.^{[13]
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- Pick several suitable places to study, whether at home, around town, or on your campus.
- Switch up where you go to study. Try a different spot every day or every few days. You can even change study spots in the middle of a session if you begin to feel restless.
- Changing your study spot may actually help you better retain information. Your brain may learn to associate material with a particular environment if you only study in one place. You may have trouble remembering that information after leaving that location.
3
Minimize distractions. Many people feel they study more effectively with music in the background, or while periodically texting friends. This is actually not the case. You're far more likely to retain information if you study without outside distractions.^{[14]
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- Do not bring any materials you don't need to a study session. If you don't need your laptop, for example, leave it at home. It may be a good idea to leave your cell phone behind or at least power it down while you study.
- Study groups can be effective, but if you choose to study with friends, pick friends who are focused. Do not study with friends who are likely to distract you.
4
Arrange your notes by topics. You will retain information better if you study it in a logical fashion. People tend to learn best if they study from concept to detail. Break your notes up into the different concepts they cover.
- For example, if you're studying for an English exam, organize your notes by different genres of literature or fields of literary study.
- Do not jump in and try to remember every detail of a poem. Instead, learn the overarching ideas of a particular school of thought and then learn the specific ideas of different literary scholars.
5
Create an outline of your notes. This can help you have an overview on hand to guide your studies. Once your notes are arranged in a logical fashion, read through them. Highlight and underline important details and make a brief outline reviewing the notes you took throughout the semester.
- You can outline your notes based on major topics. In a big lecture class, it's not uncommon for the professor to discuss a major idea over the course of many class periods.
- You can also work on circling, highlighting, or underlining any information you'll need to have memorized. This includes things like names, dates, and vocabulary terms. You can write down this information on a separate piece of paper and use it to make note cards or flashcards later on.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Sticking to a Schedule

1
Create a schedule that's doable for you.^{[15]
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Expert Source

Jai Flicker
Academic Tutor
Expert Interview. 20 May 2020.} It is important to be consistent with your studying, so make a schedule you can reasonably stick to. If you just plan on studying every day, then you may struggle to actually find the time. Look over your daily obligations and find pockets of time when you can reasonably study.^{[16]
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- Avoid cramming. You never want to end up cramming for a test at the last minute because you will not be able to cover everything you need to know in a short space of time. You won't remember as much information from cramming either. In the weeks leading up to the test, make time to study so you do not end up having to cram for the test.
- Look for free time during your day. Maybe you have a break between classes from noon to 3 each day. You could spend an hour during this time studying. Look at your weekends as well. If you like going out on weekend nights, maybe you could plan to study for a couple of hours every morning.
- Write up a schedule for yourself and stick to it. If you study a little each day, you won't be overwhelmed when the big test arrives.
2
Study in 20 to 50 minute increments. Studying for hours on end can make you burn out. Instead of large study sessions, break up sessions into manageable chunks.^{[17]
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- Break up your study time into 20 to 50 minute sessions. Take short 5 to 10 minute breaks in between sessions.
- Set a timer for yourself and follow this routine strictly. If you study for long periods of time, you're much less likely to retain the information you've learned.
3
Target different material in each session. You do not want to study one subject for an entire study session. If you plan to study for a few hours, move between different topics and materials during this time.^{[18]
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Research source} For example, you might start your study session by re-reading a short story for a test in your English class and then read over your notes on a poem that will also be on the test.
- On a test, you will never know what kind of materials you will be presented with. You may have to switch between one subject and another quickly.
- If you switch up what you study during study sessions, this closer matches the environment of an exam. It also prevents you from burning out on a certain subject.
4
Keep up with other aspects of your daily schedule. Do not neglect basic care when studying. People do better on exams if they are eating right, exercising, and getting adequate sleep.^{[19]
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- Add exercise to your daily routine. Aerobic exercise may improve brain processing, so make time in your day to go for a walk, take a bike ride, or do a workout video.
- Make sure to get enough sleep each night. Studying when tired, or taking an exam when tired, can diminish your grades. Teens need 8 to 10 hours of sleep a night, while young adults need 7 to 9.^{[20]
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- Eat right in the weeks leading up to an exam. A diet in healthy fruits, vegetables, fats, and proteins will give your brain and body the fuel necessary for success.

Community Q&A
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Question

How do you improve your mindset while studying?

Jai Flicker
Academic Tutor
Jai Flicker is an Academic Tutor and the CEO and Founder of Lifeworks Learning Center, a San Francisco Bay Area-based business focused on providing tutoring, parental support, test preparation, college essay writing help, and psychoeducational evaluations to help students transform their attitude toward learning. Jai has over 20 years of experience in the education management industry. He holds a BA in Philosophy from the University of California, San Diego.

Jai Flicker

Academic Tutor

Expert Answer

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Avoid catastrophic thinking when studying. Try not to engage in thoughts such as, "I should have started studying earlier. What's wrong with me?" Instead, think something like, "I wish I started studying a little earlier, but it's okay. I'm still on track to succeed."
Question

How long should you study for a big test?

Jai Flicker
Academic Tutor
Jai Flicker is an Academic Tutor and the CEO and Founder of Lifeworks Learning Center, a San Francisco Bay Area-based business focused on providing tutoring, parental support, test preparation, college essay writing help, and psychoeducational evaluations to help students transform their attitude toward learning. Jai has over 20 years of experience in the education management industry. He holds a BA in Philosophy from the University of California, San Diego.

Jai Flicker

Academic Tutor

Expert Answer

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Study a little bit each day. Stick to brief 20 to 50 minute study sessions in the weeks leading up to the exam.
Question

How can I calm my nerves before a big test?

Jai Flicker
Academic Tutor
Jai Flicker is an Academic Tutor and the CEO and Founder of Lifeworks Learning Center, a San Francisco Bay Area-based business focused on providing tutoring, parental support, test preparation, college essay writing help, and psychoeducational evaluations to help students transform their attitude toward learning. Jai has over 20 years of experience in the education management industry. He holds a BA in Philosophy from the University of California, San Diego.

Jai Flicker

Academic Tutor

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

It's important to understand that test anxiety is a physiological response, which means your fight or flight response has been triggered. The most effective way to deal with that is through resetting the nervous system. Try breathing in for four counts and out for eight counts. If you breathe out twice as long as you breathe in, even for two or three cycles, it resets the nervous system and can bring you a sense of peace and calm.