exam study strategies presentation

29
Exam Study Exam Study Strategies that Strategies that REALLY Work! REALLY Work! Prepared by: Prepared by: JumaKhan “Sakhizada” JumaKhan “Sakhizada” 9513209032 9513209032 Suliman “Ahmadi” Suliman “Ahmadi” 9513209030 9513209030

Upload: ghulam-hussaini

Post on 21-Apr-2017

11 views

Category:

Leadership & Management


0 download

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: Exam study strategies presentation

Exam Study Strategies Exam Study Strategies that REALLY Work!that REALLY Work!

Prepared by: Prepared by: JumaKhan “Sakhizada” JumaKhan “Sakhizada” 95132090329513209032Suliman “Ahmadi” Suliman “Ahmadi” 95132090309513209030

Page 2: Exam study strategies presentation

Why Can Studying for Why Can Studying for Exams Be Such A Exams Be Such A Challenging Task?Challenging Task? It can be overwhelming to study 5 months worth of It can be overwhelming to study 5 months worth of

material for one testmaterial for one test

Sometimes we are exhausted by the end of the Sometimes we are exhausted by the end of the semestersemester

The exam can be worth a fairly high percentage of The exam can be worth a fairly high percentage of our final mark in the courseour final mark in the course

We often have 1-3 other exams we also need to be We often have 1-3 other exams we also need to be studying for…where do we find the time?studying for…where do we find the time?

We don’t teach students how to study, we assume We don’t teach students how to study, we assume they know how best to do this, for every individual they know how best to do this, for every individual subject areasubject area

Page 3: Exam study strategies presentation

How Do Students Make Exam How Do Students Make Exam Studying An Even MORE Studying An Even MORE Stressful Experience?Stressful Experience? They have unorganized and/or incomplete notes from They have unorganized and/or incomplete notes from

the coursethe course

They have not been asking questions along the way to They have not been asking questions along the way to ensure understandingensure understanding

They don’t budget their time wisely or start studying far They don’t budget their time wisely or start studying far enough ahead of timeenough ahead of time

They don’t consider ways to make the most of their They don’t consider ways to make the most of their studying timestudying time

They don’t recognize the time and effort that will be They don’t recognize the time and effort that will be required to be adequately prepared for the examrequired to be adequately prepared for the exam

They don’t adjust other priorities during exam time to They don’t adjust other priorities during exam time to make the exams their primary focusmake the exams their primary focus

Page 4: Exam study strategies presentation

The Keys to Effective The Keys to Effective StudyingStudying Effective study skills must be Effective study skills must be

practiced in order to improvepracticed in order to improve

It’s not enough to “think about” It’s not enough to “think about” studying – you actually have to studying – you actually have to do it and then reflect on what do it and then reflect on what you could be doing betteryou could be doing better

Page 5: Exam study strategies presentation

General Exam Study Tips…General Exam Study Tips…Tested and True!Tested and True! Begin studying no less than 30-60 minutes after a mealBegin studying no less than 30-60 minutes after a meal

Never study within 30 minutes of going to sleepNever study within 30 minutes of going to sleep

Prioritize! Make a list of what you intend to study and Prioritize! Make a list of what you intend to study and prioritize the listprioritize the list

Study no more than 45-60 minutes at a stretch, and Study no more than 45-60 minutes at a stretch, and then take breaksthen take breaks

Take breaks away from your desk and do something Take breaks away from your desk and do something differentdifferent

Try to continue your daily habits as usual (don’t Try to continue your daily habits as usual (don’t drastically reduce your sleep, eliminate exercise, or drastically reduce your sleep, eliminate exercise, or overeat)overeat)

Page 6: Exam study strategies presentation

Creating the Right Creating the Right Environment for StudyingEnvironment for Studying When deciding where you should do your exam When deciding where you should do your exam

studying consider the following:studying consider the following: Make sure the environment is moderately Make sure the environment is moderately

comfortable (furniture, temperature)comfortable (furniture, temperature)

Work somewhere where you will be free of Work somewhere where you will be free of distractions (phone, TV, MSN etc.)distractions (phone, TV, MSN etc.)

Try to use a space that is YOURS only and Try to use a space that is YOURS only and doesn’t have to be shared with other family doesn’t have to be shared with other family membersmembers

Keep the study space organized with a specific Keep the study space organized with a specific place for paper, pens, books etc.place for paper, pens, books etc.

Have everything you need to study with you Have everything you need to study with you before you sit down so you don’t waste time before you sit down so you don’t waste time looking for thingslooking for things

Page 7: Exam study strategies presentation

The Value of a Study The Value of a Study ScheduleSchedule It will not be possible to allocate your It will not be possible to allocate your

time effectively if you don’t have a time effectively if you don’t have a schedule to keep you focused and schedule to keep you focused and realistic about what you need to realistic about what you need to accomplishaccomplish

The time taken to create the The time taken to create the schedule is well worth it – it will save schedule is well worth it – it will save you much time that could have been you much time that could have been lost to disorganization, stress, and lost to disorganization, stress, and poor planningpoor planning

Page 8: Exam study strategies presentation

The Keys to Effective Exam The Keys to Effective Exam Study SchedulingStudy Scheduling Obtain an exam outline for each of your courses Obtain an exam outline for each of your courses

including what material will be covered, the length of, including what material will be covered, the length of, and format of the examand format of the exam

Complete all of the preparation that will be required Complete all of the preparation that will be required for you to study effectively BEFORE you sit down and for you to study effectively BEFORE you sit down and actually study (i.e. complete missing homework, actually study (i.e. complete missing homework, correct tests, organize notes in order etc.)correct tests, organize notes in order etc.)

Realistically plan for the amount of time that you think Realistically plan for the amount of time that you think will be required to review the material for the course will be required to review the material for the course at least twice…and then double that amount of timeat least twice…and then double that amount of time

Decide which previous commitments will need to go Decide which previous commitments will need to go “on hold” while you are studying (i.e. reducing shifts “on hold” while you are studying (i.e. reducing shifts at work, no baby-sitting etc.)at work, no baby-sitting etc.)

Page 9: Exam study strategies presentation

The Keys continued…The Keys continued…

Make every hour count in your schedule – Make every hour count in your schedule – time at lunch, before school, after schooltime at lunch, before school, after school

Begin to study for each exam AT least a Begin to study for each exam AT least a week before it will take place to have plenty week before it will take place to have plenty of time to ask questions, review etc.of time to ask questions, review etc.

Give yourself reasonable breaks (15-30 Give yourself reasonable breaks (15-30 min) and try to maintain as “normal” a min) and try to maintain as “normal” a schedule as possible in terms of sleep schedule as possible in terms of sleep time, eating time etc.time, eating time etc.

Page 10: Exam study strategies presentation

Proven Study StrategiesProven Study Strategies SQ3RSQ3R

SurveySurvey – get the best overall picture of what – get the best overall picture of what you’re going to study before you do ityou’re going to study before you do it

Question Question – ask questions to reinforce your own – ask questions to reinforce your own learninglearning

Read Read – actively read over the material and be – actively read over the material and be alert to main ideas, bolded terms, and key alert to main ideas, bolded terms, and key understandings and detailsunderstandings and details

ReciteRecite – recalling and then orally or through – recalling and then orally or through writing communicating the information – make writing communicating the information – make connectionsconnections

Review Review – re-reading, summarizing key points, – re-reading, summarizing key points, testing yourself, asking final questionstesting yourself, asking final questions

Page 11: Exam study strategies presentation

Proven Study Strategies Proven Study Strategies continued…continued… Getting OrganizedGetting Organized

Putting time into organizing notes and other papers for the coursePutting time into organizing notes and other papers for the course

Reading with PurposeReading with Purpose Not glossing over reading material but actively searching for Not glossing over reading material but actively searching for

important ideas and thinking about them while you readimportant ideas and thinking about them while you read

Getting the Main IdeasGetting the Main Ideas Questioning yourself about the main “points” from the notes, Questioning yourself about the main “points” from the notes,

assignments, or chapters you are reviewingassignments, or chapters you are reviewing

Extracting Important DetailsExtracting Important Details Considering key information that support the main ideas, and thus, Considering key information that support the main ideas, and thus,

give them more meaninggive them more meaning

Taking NotesTaking Notes Bolding, underlining, and categorizing information that you are study Bolding, underlining, and categorizing information that you are study

to give it more meaningto give it more meaning

Outlining Textbooks/ Novels/ Supporting MaterialsOutlining Textbooks/ Novels/ Supporting Materials Making notes on key main ideas, supporting details, and connections Making notes on key main ideas, supporting details, and connections

between concepts from print sources between concepts from print sources

Page 12: Exam study strategies presentation

Memorization StrategiesMemorization Strategies

Some material for your courses will simply Some material for your courses will simply require that you memorize the information. require that you memorize the information. This comes easy to some people, but not This comes easy to some people, but not all. Here are some strategies that you can all. Here are some strategies that you can try:try: AcronymAcronym: ie. PMAT for phases of mitosis : ie. PMAT for phases of mitosis

((PProphase, rophase, MMetaphase, etaphase, AAnaphase, naphase, TTelophase)elophase)

AcrosticAcrostic: i.e. : i.e. PPlease lease EExcuse xcuse MMy y DDear ear AAunt unt SSally stands for the order of operations in math ally stands for the order of operations in math (Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication, (Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication, Division, Addition, Subtraction) Division, Addition, Subtraction)

Page 13: Exam study strategies presentation

Memorization Strategies Memorization Strategies continued…continued… Rhyme KeysRhyme Keys: memorize key words that can be : memorize key words that can be

associated with numbers, example- bun = one, two = associated with numbers, example- bun = one, two = shoe, three = tree etc. Then come up with visuals to shoe, three = tree etc. Then come up with visuals to remember a list, ie. Cheese on a bun, a cow with shoes remember a list, ie. Cheese on a bun, a cow with shoes on etc.)on etc.)

Method of LociMethod of Loci: imagining a list of items in a location : imagining a list of items in a location you are familiar with and the events that are taking place you are familiar with and the events that are taking place

Image-Name TechniqueImage-Name Technique: invent a relationship between : invent a relationship between the name of something and one of it’s physical traits (i.e. the name of something and one of it’s physical traits (i.e. curly-haired Shirley Temple)curly-haired Shirley Temple)

ChainingChaining: creating a story where each word or idea you : creating a story where each word or idea you

have to remember cues the next idea you have to recall – have to remember cues the next idea you have to recall – i.e. a story where a character in a Shakespeare play i.e. a story where a character in a Shakespeare play bumps into four other characters as he goes for a walkbumps into four other characters as he goes for a walk

Page 14: Exam study strategies presentation

The Problem with The Problem with ConcentrationConcentration At times when you may be trying At times when you may be trying

to study for exams…to study for exams… Your mind may wander from one Your mind may wander from one

thing to anotherthing to another Your worries may distract youYour worries may distract you Outside distractions may take you Outside distractions may take you

away from your studies before you away from your studies before you know itknow it

You may find the material boring, You may find the material boring, difficult, and/or not interestingdifficult, and/or not interesting

Page 15: Exam study strategies presentation

Concentration StrategiesConcentration Strategies

Here are some strategies students Here are some strategies students can use to focus during study can use to focus during study timetime:: Study in a set place that is naturally free Study in a set place that is naturally free

of distractionsof distractions

When your mind wanders, tell yourself, When your mind wanders, tell yourself, “now is when I must study”“now is when I must study”

Stick to a routine, realistic, and effective Stick to a routine, realistic, and effective study schedulestudy schedule

Focus on your goals with the material Focus on your goals with the material you are studying, each and every timeyou are studying, each and every time

Page 16: Exam study strategies presentation

Concentration Strategies Concentration Strategies continued…continued… Change your study topics every 1-2 hours Change your study topics every 1-2 hours

to keep things interestingto keep things interesting

Vary your study activities – don’t try and Vary your study activities – don’t try and study in the same way for more than an study in the same way for more than an hour or sohour or so

Take regular scheduled breaks and enjoy Take regular scheduled breaks and enjoy them!them!

Give yourself rewards for even small Give yourself rewards for even small achievements with your studyingachievements with your studying

Page 17: Exam study strategies presentation

Student Study Strategies Student Study Strategies that DON’T workthat DON’T work Reading information out loud without writing it downReading information out loud without writing it down

Glossing over notes without “proving” you know it Glossing over notes without “proving” you know it (by teaching someone else, by writing it down from (by teaching someone else, by writing it down from memory etc.)memory etc.)

Highlighting texts or novelsHighlighting texts or novels

Reviewing the material only one timeReviewing the material only one time

Studying with someone else – unless you are Studying with someone else – unless you are equally committed and focusedequally committed and focused

Staying up really late or pulling an all-nighterStaying up really late or pulling an all-nighter

Page 18: Exam study strategies presentation

Types of Exams: The Types of Exams: The Objective ExamObjective Exam Here are some helpful tips when Here are some helpful tips when

writing an objective exam:writing an objective exam: Survey the entire exam first to see what Survey the entire exam first to see what

kinds of questions are being asked, length kinds of questions are being asked, length etc.etc.

Quickly budget for how much time you’ll Quickly budget for how much time you’ll spend on each questionspend on each question

Read over each question carefullyRead over each question carefully

Answer easy questions first to save time and Answer easy questions first to save time and build confidencebuild confidence

Pick out key words in the questions to Pick out key words in the questions to ensure you don’t misunderstandensure you don’t misunderstand

Page 19: Exam study strategies presentation

The Objective ExamThe Objective Examcontinued…continued…

Circle any questions you have difficulty Circle any questions you have difficulty with so you can go back to them at the with so you can go back to them at the end of the examend of the exam

For multiple choice, read each option For multiple choice, read each option separately and determine whether each separately and determine whether each statement is true or false – GUESS IF statement is true or false – GUESS IF YOU DON”T KNOW!YOU DON”T KNOW!

Leave yourself at least 15 minutes at the Leave yourself at least 15 minutes at the end of the exam to review your answers end of the exam to review your answers and ensure you didn’t make any silly and ensure you didn’t make any silly mistakesmistakes

Page 20: Exam study strategies presentation

Types of Exams: The Essay Types of Exams: The Essay ExamExam Here are some helpful tips when writing Here are some helpful tips when writing

an essay exam:an essay exam: Do any initial preparation the teacher allows for Do any initial preparation the teacher allows for

(i.e. novel review, outlining different topics)(i.e. novel review, outlining different topics)

Read over the entire exam firstRead over the entire exam first

Quickly budget for the amount of time you’ll be Quickly budget for the amount of time you’ll be able to spend on each questionable to spend on each question

Number questions exactly to match the question Number questions exactly to match the question numbersnumbers

Outline your answer to the question before you Outline your answer to the question before you begin writingbegin writing

Page 21: Exam study strategies presentation

The Essay ExamThe Essay Examcontinued…continued…

Pay attention to key words that indicate Pay attention to key words that indicate what you are being asked to dowhat you are being asked to do

Start with an intro and end with a Start with an intro and end with a conclusion for each questionconclusion for each question

Answer questions directly – don’t beat Answer questions directly – don’t beat around the busharound the bush

Leave time at the end to check for Leave time at the end to check for spelling mistakes, grammar mistakes, spelling mistakes, grammar mistakes, clarity of ideas etc.clarity of ideas etc.

Page 22: Exam study strategies presentation

Coping with Exam AnxietyCoping with Exam Anxiety

Exam anxiety can be viewed in Exam anxiety can be viewed in two different ways:two different ways: Poor coping with the inevitable Poor coping with the inevitable

stress of an exam BEFORE it stress of an exam BEFORE it takes placetakes place

OROR A strong emotional reaction of fear A strong emotional reaction of fear

that interferes with thinking clearly that interferes with thinking clearly DURING the examDURING the exam

Page 23: Exam study strategies presentation

Exam Anxiety SymptomsExam Anxiety Symptoms Students who have exam anxiety often report the Students who have exam anxiety often report the

following symptoms:following symptoms: Memory blocks or “blanking out” on things that Memory blocks or “blanking out” on things that

you have studiedyou have studied Fear of failing before the exam is even writtenFear of failing before the exam is even written Physical symptoms such as rapid heart rate, Physical symptoms such as rapid heart rate,

shortness of breath, sweating etc.shortness of breath, sweating etc. Lower reading comprehensionLower reading comprehension Poor attention and inability to concentratePoor attention and inability to concentrate

The key to dealing effectively with exam anxiety is The key to dealing effectively with exam anxiety is to work on what you have control over (how you to work on what you have control over (how you study, what you study etc.) and not worry about study, what you study etc.) and not worry about what you can’t control (kinds of questions, how what you can’t control (kinds of questions, how other students perform etc.)other students perform etc.)

Page 24: Exam study strategies presentation

Tips for Coping with Exam Tips for Coping with Exam AnxietyAnxiety Be Prepared EarlyBe Prepared Early

Set up a study schedule at least 2 weeks before Set up a study schedule at least 2 weeks before your examyour exam

Sleep WellSleep Well Maintaining a regular sleep schedule helps Maintaining a regular sleep schedule helps

reduce stress and increase performancereduce stress and increase performance

Keep the same caffeine and sugar intakeKeep the same caffeine and sugar intake Greatly increasing either of these substances Greatly increasing either of these substances

can actually impair brain functioning by throwing can actually impair brain functioning by throwing off your body’s metabolismoff your body’s metabolism

Learn relaxed breathingLearn relaxed breathing When you get stressed, taking some slow, When you get stressed, taking some slow,

relaxed breaths can help you think clearly againrelaxed breaths can help you think clearly again

Page 25: Exam study strategies presentation

Tips for Coping with Exam Tips for Coping with Exam Anxiety continued…Anxiety continued… Stop studying at least 1-2 hours before bedtime the Stop studying at least 1-2 hours before bedtime the

night beforenight before Studying right up until the last minute increases your Studying right up until the last minute increases your

anxiety and will impair your ability to sleepanxiety and will impair your ability to sleep

Review main themesReview main themes Go over main ideas or concepts in the material to Go over main ideas or concepts in the material to

reinforce that you do understand the “big picture”reinforce that you do understand the “big picture”

Have a plan before the examHave a plan before the exam As part of your studying, think about how you will As part of your studying, think about how you will

approach the exam and what you will do when you approach the exam and what you will do when you run into troublerun into trouble

Aim to do your bestAim to do your best Recognize and turn off your negative self-dialogue – Recognize and turn off your negative self-dialogue –

focus on the task at hand and simply aim to do your focus on the task at hand and simply aim to do your best.best.

Page 26: Exam study strategies presentation

The Day of The Exam…The Day of The Exam… Wake up at a reasonable time so you can get ready Wake up at a reasonable time so you can get ready

at a leisurely pace and have breakfastat a leisurely pace and have breakfast

Carry your notebook to the exam but don’t open it – Carry your notebook to the exam but don’t open it – will have it there if you absolutely need itwill have it there if you absolutely need it

Stay away from other stressed-out students who Stay away from other stressed-out students who may get you worried before the exammay get you worried before the exam

Admit to yourself that you will not know all of the Admit to yourself that you will not know all of the answers on the exam…and that’s okay!answers on the exam…and that’s okay!

Try the “memory dump” strategyTry the “memory dump” strategy Write down everything you can think of on a piece of Write down everything you can think of on a piece of

scrap paper after the exam has begun…and then scrap paper after the exam has begun…and then start writing the examstart writing the exam

Page 27: Exam study strategies presentation

In Summary…In Summary… Studying is an important component of being Studying is an important component of being

prepared for your final examsprepared for your final exams

Any sort of studying is inherently stressful, but Any sort of studying is inherently stressful, but there are ways to manage it to reduce the there are ways to manage it to reduce the stressstress

Your approach to studying will vary depending Your approach to studying will vary depending on the subject matter you’re studying (see on the subject matter you’re studying (see subject-specific suggestions in your package)subject-specific suggestions in your package)

The keys to effective studying are all about The keys to effective studying are all about planning – it’s a good idea to start that planning – it’s a good idea to start that process NOW!process NOW!

Good luck on your final exams!Good luck on your final exams!

Page 28: Exam study strategies presentation

Any question ?Any question ?

Page 29: Exam study strategies presentation

Thanks Thanks for for your your kind kind attention. attention.