Preparation:
- Begin preparing early
Pay attention during class: every minute you daydream in class is many more
minutes of studying later.
Do assigned homework problems: math is a building process and in order
to understand the next step you need to comprehend the present, and previous,
ones
- Simulate test conditions
After you have studied and think you know the material, practice it under test
conditions. Solve unassigned homework problems and see if you can finish them
in the allotted time for the exam
- Know your professor
Study a copy of the exam of a previous class if available;
Talk with someone who taken the professor before, preferably someone who has
succeeded in the same class
- Form a study group of 3-4 dedicated students
Not only will other students be able to help you with problems, but by helping
others you will better learn the material. If you are unable teach another
student a topic you believe you know, chances are you don't know that topic
very well after all. If you can't teach it, you don't know it!
Testing:
Read through the exam
With reading through the whole exam you can
know what is expected of you;
prioritize items on the test;
pace yourself.
Carefully read the instructions
Make sure you are answering the question that is being asked!
Often students know how to solve a problem, but they misread or misinterpret
the question itself;
Check that you have correctly rewritten the problem
If you use a scratch piece of paper make sure that you correctly rewrite
the problem. Don't skip steps. Start from the beginning;
Clearly write each step of the solution
Be neat and don't rush writing numbers down.
Keep checking your solution as you are working.
Neatness makes it easier to recheck your work;
Double check your math, especially your calculator entries
Double check your calculator work immediately.
The chances of hitting a wrong number are high, but the chances of hitting the
same wrong number are not;
Don't Dilly Dally
If you get stuck on a problem move on and come back to it later.
When you are finished, recheck all your work.
Website overview: Since 1996 the
Study Guides and Strategies web site
has been researched, authored, maintained and supported by Joe Landsberger
as an international, learner-centric, educational public service. Permission is granted to freely copy, adapt,
and distribute individual Study Guides in print format in non-commercial educational settings that benefit learners. Please be aware that the Guides welcome, and are under, continuous review and revision. For that reason, reproduction of all content on the Internet
can only be with permission through a licensed
agreement. No request to link to the Web site is necessary.
Visitor Center
Projects, news, metrics, copyright, licensing
Joe's
professional and personal webpages
