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How easy would a test or exam be if you already knew the questions? Yes I know it would be even easier if you knew the answers but if you know the questions you should know the answers shouldn't you?
A really effective way to prepare for your tests and exams is to become a test psychic and start predicting (with great accuracy) what the questions will be! A simple enough idea - but you're probably thinking it would be pretty hard to execute right? Well, the answer is actually yes and no. Let's take a look at the strategy of test question prediction.
Part 1 - Focus On What Is Important
There is no point studying anything that isn't on the test - but how do you know what will be on the test? Well, it's all about common sense. What do you think will definitely be on the test? What do you think might be on the test? What do you think probably won't be on the test? What do you think definitely won't be on the test? This process of questioning will help you identify that which you need not spend any time worrying about and also that which you should focus on.
Next, simply ask yourself where the questions are going to be coming from. The following is a list of obvious sources for any test or exam:
1. Any chapters or areas of the text that have been looked at extensively during class time will no doubt be on the test. Conversely, anything you covered very quickly during class should be ignored.
2. Any handouts/worksheets/homework assignments that your teacher provides to you that does not form part of the textbook.
3. Any questions that your teacher asks the class to answer or raises in class to be individually answered could be a good indicator of a likely test question. Why would you waste precious class time on subjects the teacher knows aren't important? The answer is that you wouldn't - so pay attention.
Part 2 - Become Best Friends Forever With The Teacher (Not Literally)
Making friends with the teacher is one your biggest weapons - if executed correctly. Teachers will always reward those who try hard and give their best effort - and also those who are respectful towards them. It is human nature - and teachers are humans remember! (We think)
1. If you've made friends with the teacher then all you have to do is start asking leading questions. "I am really going to focus on this area or that area - what do you think about that?" If the teacher likes you they will help you rather than ignore you.
2. Find out what format the test will be in and allocate your study time based on that. A long answer test means you need to understand the broad details and to be ready to write - a lot. A short answer test means you need to know all the facts, figures and specific details of who, what, where and when.
3. Ask the teacher for previous test or exam papers or source these for yourselves. If you can get hold of previous tests that your actual teacher has given to previous classes before, it may give you many clues as to the probable structure and difficulty of the upcoming tests you will be receiving.
Part 3 - Your Review Habits
1. Create a specific area in your workbook or have a set of notes that you use for listing possible test and exam questions. Every time you hear or see something that you believe may be on the next assessment simply jot it down. This means that you will have created a list of thoughts and ideas that you will be able to easily look over at a later time - often this will contain topics you had forgotten about!
2. Skim through your texts and underline or highlight the information you believe is the most important to the subject. Ignore anything you do not believe to be important. By doing this, you will have already chosen and highlighted the most important bits to re-read or re-examine later.
3. Grab a group of the brainiest kids you can find and form a study group. Note: I did not say get together with your friends and gossip for half the day! This is serious! Or is it? Yes, it is. By gathering some smart cookies together you will be able to bounce ideas around and share thoughts. Often other people think of things we never even consider. This means that they are opening our minds and hopefully they are making our notes better than ever! Sharing ideas, notes and study techniques with each other is a super way to become a test psychic.
Predicting what will be on your next test will be incredibly easy if you put these practices into place. Becoming a test psychic is easy once you know what to do. So hop to it!
A really effective way to prepare for your tests and exams is to become a test psychic and start predicting (with great accuracy) what the questions will be! A simple enough idea - but you're probably thinking it would be pretty hard to execute right? Well, the answer is actually yes and no. Let's take a look at the strategy of test question prediction.
Part 1 - Focus On What Is Important
There is no point studying anything that isn't on the test - but how do you know what will be on the test? Well, it's all about common sense. What do you think will definitely be on the test? What do you think might be on the test? What do you think probably won't be on the test? What do you think definitely won't be on the test? This process of questioning will help you identify that which you need not spend any time worrying about and also that which you should focus on.
Next, simply ask yourself where the questions are going to be coming from. The following is a list of obvious sources for any test or exam:
1. Any chapters or areas of the text that have been looked at extensively during class time will no doubt be on the test. Conversely, anything you covered very quickly during class should be ignored.
2. Any handouts/worksheets/homework assignments that your teacher provides to you that does not form part of the textbook.
3. Any questions that your teacher asks the class to answer or raises in class to be individually answered could be a good indicator of a likely test question. Why would you waste precious class time on subjects the teacher knows aren't important? The answer is that you wouldn't - so pay attention.
Part 2 - Become Best Friends Forever With The Teacher (Not Literally)
Making friends with the teacher is one your biggest weapons - if executed correctly. Teachers will always reward those who try hard and give their best effort - and also those who are respectful towards them. It is human nature - and teachers are humans remember! (We think)
1. If you've made friends with the teacher then all you have to do is start asking leading questions. "I am really going to focus on this area or that area - what do you think about that?" If the teacher likes you they will help you rather than ignore you.
2. Find out what format the test will be in and allocate your study time based on that. A long answer test means you need to understand the broad details and to be ready to write - a lot. A short answer test means you need to know all the facts, figures and specific details of who, what, where and when.
3. Ask the teacher for previous test or exam papers or source these for yourselves. If you can get hold of previous tests that your actual teacher has given to previous classes before, it may give you many clues as to the probable structure and difficulty of the upcoming tests you will be receiving.
Part 3 - Your Review Habits
1. Create a specific area in your workbook or have a set of notes that you use for listing possible test and exam questions. Every time you hear or see something that you believe may be on the next assessment simply jot it down. This means that you will have created a list of thoughts and ideas that you will be able to easily look over at a later time - often this will contain topics you had forgotten about!
2. Skim through your texts and underline or highlight the information you believe is the most important to the subject. Ignore anything you do not believe to be important. By doing this, you will have already chosen and highlighted the most important bits to re-read or re-examine later.
3. Grab a group of the brainiest kids you can find and form a study group. Note: I did not say get together with your friends and gossip for half the day! This is serious! Or is it? Yes, it is. By gathering some smart cookies together you will be able to bounce ideas around and share thoughts. Often other people think of things we never even consider. This means that they are opening our minds and hopefully they are making our notes better than ever! Sharing ideas, notes and study techniques with each other is a super way to become a test psychic.
Predicting what will be on your next test will be incredibly easy if you put these practices into place. Becoming a test psychic is easy once you know what to do. So hop to it!
About the Author:
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