How to Study for a Test

Prerequisite to taking a test, is studying and knowing how to study effectively. Read on for helpful tips on how to do just that.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Everyone takes tests, some more than others, but few know the correct and most efficient and effective way to do so.
   
   First, make sure you understand what you will be tested on and have that material available with ample time for study. The study time needed will vary depending upon your specific test but try to allow no less than one month for the average test and up to six months or more for an exam such as the bar. This is personal study time excluding test preparation performed in class.
2. Set aside dedicated study time. Forego distractions such as the television, radio and phone. Ask friends and family to respect your need for quiet and uninterrupted time.
   
   You may feel that you can multi-task but studies show that the mind will be able to absorb and retain more information when following this advice.
3. Read the information and take notes. Writing things in your own words will help you to retain them.
4. Make mental pictures and/or stories using the information you are studying. This again will help your mind to enter the information into long term memory and will help you to pull it from memory when needed.
5. Go over the study material at least 3 times.
6. If you do not understand part or all of the information you are studying, research and/or seek help from an instructor until you do understand it fluently.
7. Have a study partner. Studying with a partner will help to motivate you both and it will give you someone to bounce information off.
8. Do not push yourself to study when you are tired as this is just wasted and sometimes anti-productive.
9. Have a well lit and comfortable study area.
10. Using all or even a portion of these suggestions will make even the most gruesome test less stressing and will show noticeably in your test results.
    
    *See the link below for "How to Take a Test."