Test Preparation

Everyday study is a major part of test preparation

• Do the homework when it is assigned.  You can not expect to cram 2 to 3 weeks worth of learning in a couple of days of study.
• Remember that homework problems will prepare you for the test.  As you work the problems, make a note of the formulas and techniques that you use, for future reference.
• On tests you will not be able to use your text or notes.  Continue working problems until you are able to solve the problems without these aids.
• Ask questions as they arise.  Don't wait until a day or two before the test.

Studying for a Test

Begin by going over each section of your text that will be covered on the test, reviewing your notes and checking that you can still do the homework problems.  Redo problems that you have already done in the past to make sure that you can still solve them.  Work other problems from the exercises that have solutions given so that you can check yourself.

In your textbook each problem appears at the end of the section in which you learned how how to do that problem.  On the test the problems are not given in any specific order.

• Ask yourself what kind of problems you have learned how to solve, what techniques of solution you have learned, and how to tell which techniques go with which problems.
• Try to explain out loud, in your words, how each strategy is used in particular problems.
• Form a study group.  Work together and explain solutions to specific problems to the group.
• Simulate a test situation.  Work problems from review sections at the end of chapters.  It is important that you continue working practice problems the whole time you are studying.
• Begin your study for a test well before the day of the exam.  I recommend you begin your study from day 1.  That is, continuously review topics that you have not mastered.  The night before the exam should be used to simply look over your notes and iron out any last minute details.
• You will be able to stay more focused during the exam if you are well-rested, so go to bed early and have a relaxing night of sleep.

Taking the Math Test

It is important that you budget your time properly and that you have a test-taking strategy that you will follow.

• Look over the entire test.  You'll get a sense of its length.   Try to identify those problems you  definitely know how to do right away, and those you expect to have to think about.

• Work the problems that you know how to do first in any order that suits you.  Leave those problems that you are not sure about for later.

• Don't waste too much time on one particular problem.  Work quickly and continuously and show all your work.  If you get stuck on a problem, move on to another one.  You can always come back to that problem.

• Show all your work.  Even though you may not obtain the correct final answer, your instructor may give you partial credit based on the work you show.

• Don't waste time erasing.  Just draw a line through the work you want your instructor to ignore and continue.

• If a problem requires several steps, outline the steps before actually working the problem.

• Don't give up on a several-part problem just because you can't do the first part.  Attempt the other parts.  If the actual solution depends on the first part, at least explain how you would solve the remaining parts.

• Make sure you read each question carefully, and do all parts of each problem.

• Verify your answers.  Does each answer seem reasonable based on the context of the problem?

• If you finish the test before the time limit, briefly go over as many problems as possible.  You may find that you misinterpreted, miscopied, or simply forgot about a problem.

Special notes:  If you do not do as well as you would have liked on the test, then work that much harder for the next test.  Do not give up on yourself.  Seek whatever assistance you deem necessary in order to improve.

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