Some tests are no big deal. But on other tests, your entire future may rely on the test results.

And if you fail? Then what? The efforts of your last few years may be for naught, or you may have to postpone your plans six months or more.

That’s why it’s just as important to have good test taking strategies as it is to understand the material. Time restraints, anxiety, location. They can all factor into the test-taking experience and make your test harder.

Here are 6 test-taking strategies to help you ace your next exam. Remember, even if your future isn’t riding on this one test, it’s good to know how to take tests. This way you’re ready when everything is on the line.

 

1. Chew Gum

Brains are super cool. Like how similar flavors, smells, and tastes can jog your memory. You can use that to your benefit.

When you’re studying for different materials, chew gum. Try mixing it up. Chew spearmint for math, juicy fruit for English, and Winterfresh for ethics. (Note: the flavors don’t matter, the consistency does.)

Then, when you take the test, chew the same gum flavor you’ve been chewing for that course all year. The flavor can jog your memory and improve your recall for that particular subject.

Chewing gum can also relieve anxiety, stress, and improve alertness. Chewing gum can cal the test taker because it tricks your brain into thinking you’re eating. Historically, humans only ate when they weren’t in fight or flight. So if you’re eating, your brain thinks there’s nothing to worry about!

So while this isn’t specifically a test-taking strategy, it can still improve your score. The flavors will jog your memory and aid your recall. And we think that’s pretty cool.

 

2. Study in Different Environments

Studying and doing your homework in the same place every day may help to build habits. But it might hurt your test score.

We get used to the environment around us. Let’s say at home you always study in a quiet corner.

During the test, sniffling students, shuffling papers, and scratching pens can be distracting. This can drastically hurt your concentration and subsequently your score.

So while it’s good to have an established routine and a homework corner, branch out now and then. Study in a coffee shop, the local park, or the library. Take your schoolwork to a public workplace or sit in on a lecture hall for a class you’re not attending.

The more you study in different environments, the more you’ll be able to focus in a distracting test hall.

 

3. Start with What You Know

When you get to the test, it’s okay to skip questions that stump you. If you know the right answer, answer those questions first.

Further test questions may jog your memory for questions you’re struggling with. This strategy makes sure you get enough time for materials you’re confident on. Then you can go back through and answer everything you’re struggling with.

Make sure to always answer every question though. Some teachers give partial credit for wrong answers. And on a multiple-choice test, even your worst guess has a 25% chance of being right.

 

4. Take Care of Your Needs

The best way to prepare for a test is with a good nights sleep. Cramming is the worst thing to do, even if you haven’t studied at all.

Our brains store information more accurately and thoroughly when we sleep. So skimping the night before a big test will only hurt your recall.

On top of that, eat a nutritious breakfast, use the restroom, and do something in the morning to boost your mood. Take a jog through the park or reward yourself with a special treat.

Because no matter how hard you study, you can’t focus on the test if you’re hungry, or you have to pee.

So take care of your needs to make sure your body is ready and your brain can focus.

 

5. Prepare to Understand, Not Just Know

When it comes to the test it’s important to know that Socrates came before Plato. But it’s also important to know why that matters.

So when you’re focused on memorizing dates, names, and formulas, take time to study why they matter. It’s no good just knowing them if you don’t know how to use them.

Tests are starting to focus more on your understanding and less on your ability to recall facts. So by understanding why they matter, you’ll improve your test scores overall.

The exam industry is changing too. It used to be the ones issuing the exam had total control and the takers were at their mercy.

Online assessment companies are changing that, and it’s worth paying attention too. You may no longer have to wait months to find out the results on your exam. When you do, you may be able to protest the results.

 

6. Take Advantage of Memory Dumps

When you get to your test, write down everything you need to know that you’re worried you’ll forget. This can be names, dates, formulas or concepts.

You may forget what you knew by the time you get to the end of the test. So by writing down this information right away, you avoid the likelihood you’ll forget it by the time you need it.

Use These Test Taking Strategies to Ace Your Next Exam

When you’re in an exam, the strategies you use can be as important as understanding the material. Take advantage of these different test taking strategies to help you ace your next exam.

Love these tips? Don’t forget to save them to your Pinterest board so you can come back at any time.

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August 4, 2019