Comments on: How to Cram for a Test

on 11/19/2009 These are great tips. I also wrote an article about cramming.

on 4/11/2007 I found out that typing your notes is a really big help. Especially for someone like me, with chicken scratch all over their paper. This way will help you retain some of the information and also give you better material to study from.

on 8/8/2006 One of the best ways you can review for a test is to rewrite your notes. At the end of each section, and a week or two before test time, rewrite all your notes from that section *textbook & class.* You can even color code certain things like, important dates, definitions, etc., so that you can easily find them when you start really studying for the test.

on 8/8/2006 If you have to cram for a test or exam, look over all of the quizzes or important worksheets you took. The tests normally have questions a lot like the ones from the quizzes.

on 8/8/2006 Make sure you look over the important stuff that you can predict will be on the test. Think back to when you were in class and what the teacher was talking about. Highlight the key points!

on 8/8/2006 You need your sleep. Staying up all night (or too late) will do you no good. The next day on the test you are practically dead. You also need healthy food.

No caffeine or sugar! You will crash!

on 6/30/2006 I take the bus to school every day, and find that there is a good 40 minutes wasted during the ride. If there is anything that you need to look over just a few more times, use little blocks of open time during the day when you normally wouldn't do anything significant. For me, looking over notes one last time during the morning commute can be reassuring.

on 6/30/2006 Try to avoid carbohydrates as they tend to make you sleepy while studying. Foods that are high in iron should be consumed (bran, whole wheats, etc). Proteins will make you more alert. Blueberries and lemons work miracles for your memory. Eat often, as your brain needs the glucose for memory retention. And don't forget to eat a balanced breakfast the next morning.

on 4/3/2006 Look through your textbook and find main points in each section. Then look at the Chapter Summary in the back, if there is one. Finally, make up some questions or get access to a previous test and take it.

on 1/26/2006 When you want to remember several points for a particular answer, break it up into 5 to 6 points. Give a heading for each point. Take the first letter of each heading and make it into an acronym. Change the heading slightly so that you can come up with interesting acronyms.

For example:

What are the different criteria for determining price for a quotation?

Let's say you have a 6-point answer.

1. Strength of your product - is it unique?.
2. Competition - are they breathing down your neck?
3. Customer - does he have enough money to meet the price you want? Don't lose an order because customer doesn't have money.
4. Don't under quote - you could leave money on the table.
5. Will you appear greedy if you quote too high? And lose a customer, instead of just losing a bid?
6. Is there a history with this customer for you to rely on?

Now to form the Acronym:

Strength of the product.
Competition
Afford?
Money on table
Avarice
Past history

There you go - you have SCAMAP.

Once you memorize the acronym and the related associations, you will not forget it easily!

on 1/9/2006 If you have only 1 night, the benefit of "sleeping on it" is marginal compared to the benefit of covering another 6 hours of material. Better to stay up and cram in some more material if you have a morning test. You won't feel 100%, but that extra 10% will be worth it.

on 12/15/2005 If you take breaks frequently at first and then less and less often, you will gradually lead yourself into the mode of studying. Start by taking a break after 20 minutes of studying, then take a break after 40 minutes, and so on. In the end, you will have studied much more than you would have trying to study for hours nonstop.

on 11/22/2005 Make sure you look over the important stuff that you can predict will be on the test. Think back to when you were in class and what the teacher was talking about. Highlight the key points!

on 11/22/2005 The best way to cram for a test is to start your work early in the term. I'm a procrastinator, and I still can't kill off this habit (which hurt me dearly). I'm still trying though. I can't read the long and boring text. So do the work early! Even if you're looking at old tests, do not just memorize and expect the same questions are going to be asked. I do find that if you lack sleep, you get even more nervous!

on 11/22/2005 I use a portable CD player when studying for a test. When I take the test, I play the same music I used to study. It will make you think about the things you looked at while studying.