How would you like to know the questions on your next test? Do you think that would help you get a good grade? You bet it would!
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 - Identify The Sources
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. If you are given worksheets or homework tasks that are not covered in your text this may be a clue about the importance the teacher places on the topic.
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 - Talk To The Teacher
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. Get hold of past tests or exams. These are usually invaluable resources - not simply because they show you how hard or easy past tests may have been - but also because they show you the format and structure that have been used in the past and what areas the teachers have focused on. Bonus tip: you don't always need to fall into the trap of going through each question on past test papers, just use them as a guide because it's extremely unlikely the questions on your test will be the same as past tests.
Part 3 - Your Review Habits
1. Have a section in your workbook that is used specifically for probable test and exam questions. So when you come across something you are pretty almost fairly 100% certain will be on a test or exam, you write it out as a question and as an answer. Later on, you can review these much more easily.
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 - Identify The Sources
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. If you are given worksheets or homework tasks that are not covered in your text this may be a clue about the importance the teacher places on the topic.
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 - Talk To The Teacher
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. Get hold of past tests or exams. These are usually invaluable resources - not simply because they show you how hard or easy past tests may have been - but also because they show you the format and structure that have been used in the past and what areas the teachers have focused on. Bonus tip: you don't always need to fall into the trap of going through each question on past test papers, just use them as a guide because it's extremely unlikely the questions on your test will be the same as past tests.
Part 3 - Your Review Habits
1. Have a section in your workbook that is used specifically for probable test and exam questions. So when you come across something you are pretty almost fairly 100% certain will be on a test or exam, you write it out as a question and as an answer. Later on, you can review these much more easily.
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!
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