These suggestions may help you prepare for tests:
Below are some helpful hints for succeeding on exams, starting with the five day test preparation plan.
1. Think differently about the material. Students are conditioned from an early age to think in terms of discrete facts and 'correct' answers rather than looking for the relationships which are characteristic of essay answers. One of the first steps toward improved essay answers is to adopt a different perspective on the nature of what is to be learned from the material presented and read.
2. Study the material differently. Studying for essay exams is much different from studying for objectively scorable exams.
3. Write structurally sound answers.
Taking the exam
The following words are commonly found on test questions. Understanding them is essential to success on these kinds of questions. Study these key words thoroughly. Know them backwards and forwards.
Are you having problems with your written assignment? Below are some helpful hints to get you started.
Writing, no matter what the topic or form, is a process:
The first paragraph is often the most difficult to write. If you have trouble, just get it down with the intention of re-writing it later, even after you have finished with the rest. But remember this first entry draws your audience into your topic, your perspective, and its importance to continue with the rest.
Take a day or two off!
Mathematics is a building process, and those who are successful in mathematics realize the absolute necessity for building a study of mathematics on the firm foundation of the following six minimum requirements:
How to Study Math
How to Study for Math Exams
Math is Problem Solving
Math makes a lot of people nervous. Is there any hope? Of course there is. Below are 10 helpful tips to help reduce the anxiety that math can cause. To begin, there are two big reasons why people have math anxiety
The following 10 tips may help you!
Grab a sheet of paper and rate your achievement on the statements below using the following scale:
Total the scores from all of the statements above.
If your score is 90 - 103, give yourself an A. You are using the study skill you need in order to be successful in math.
If your score is 80 - 89, give yourself a B. You are using good math study skills. Choose a few strategies to work on each day, and you are well on your way to an A.
If your score is 70 - 79, give yourself a C. Your study skills are average. If you want an A, choose one or two strategies in each category to work on until you are using most of the strategies described above.
If your score is below 70, you are probably having a difficult time in math class. Math may not be your trouble! More than likely, your main problem is the study strategies you are using (or not using). Make yourself do the things on the list above.
An important component of most science courses is tables and illustrations (including graphs, charts, photos, and diagrams.) To help you study science, the Harvey Center provides some tips for summarizing numerical data which is often found in tables, and studying illustrations which provide graphical representations of terms and concepts. Check out the science study tips below.
NOTE: When tables or illustrations are used in class, sometimes it is difficult for students to copy both the illustration and tables, in addition to taking notes on the instructors explanations. To deal with this problem, students should try photocopying and taking to class the tables and illustrations presented in the readings.
If you use three-ring binders for your science coures, it is easy to integrate lecture notes and photocopies illustrations.
The HKC provides some tips for working in a science laboratory.
The SQ5R study method enables you to actively study textbooks and readings. This method can help you process information actively which in turn leads to higher memory and mastery of the material. SQ5R is an excellent technique to use with textbooks that provide a lot of information and require you to learn material in depth. Textbooks in many disciplines such as biology, psychology, and sociology fall into this category.
SURVEY - Before reading the actual chapter, read the introduction and summary (if given). Skim through the chapter paying attention to topic headings, bold-faced words, pictures, charts, and graphs. These can give you an idea of the general structure and content before you begin reading.
QUESTION - Set a purpose for your reading by developing questions about the material. Use the topic and heading information you gathered in the survey step to create questions to be answered. Begin asking yourself who, what, where, when, why, and how questions. Questions are most beneficial when they are general, covering main topics and important points.
READ - Break the material into sections that will take about 20 minutes to read (often the chapter is already broken into sections which will work just fine). Read the material section by section. Look for answers to your questions, key concepts, and supporting details. Study charts, graphs, tables, and pictures. These can serve to present new information as well as tie together concepts from the reading.
RESPOND - After each section, think about the material you have just read and answer the questions you have asked. This can be done at the same time as the reading step, since often response is automatic. The main point of this step is to think about the material, and take notice of what is important.
RECORD - Go back and underline key concepts and take notes. This can be done on a separate sheet of paper, on note cards, in the margins of the textbook, or any way that works well for you. (Do this after each section.)
RECITE - Next, look away from the material and try to recite the key information and ideas. Put the material in your own words and go back and re-read until you feel comfortable with it. This may be frustrating at first, but it will lead to better understanding and save you review time in the long run. (Do this after each section.)
REVIEW - After completing the entire chapter, scan back over the reading and review the information aloud or in your head. Talk about the material with a classmate if possible. Try to identify overall themes and relationships between concepts. Make any necessary revisions of your notes or markings so they can be easily understood later.
Now that you know about the SQ5R method for reading text books, the next step is to use this strategy while reading your next assignment. You may want to begin by selecting one class for which you will use SQ5R to read every chapter prior to your next test. Below are some additional strategies you may want to implement along with reading the chapter using this method:
The study environment you choose can make the difference in how much you accomplish during that study session. A bad study environment is distracting and takes away from your studies. A good study environment facilitates learning and allows you to make the best use of your allotted time.
Factors to consider in picking a study environment:
The human body gets trained to behave in certain ways based on the environment it is in. When in bed, the environment is telling your body that it is time to go to sleep, and you probably will.
If the Harvey Center doesn't have what you need, feel free to check out these other awesome resources!
Net Tutor is an online academic tutoring resource where you can get help for various subjects through live, online coaching.
To access Net Tutor, go to One Campus and search "Tutor." Click the Net Tutor tile and launch
Once you are in Net Tutor, select the relevant subject area and choose whether to visit a live tutor or drop off a question.
Located in CHBS 4703 and manned by volunteer tutors, this lab offers academic coaching in the area of History. The schedule of tutors is posted in the lab.
For more information, visit the Department of History in CHBS 4602 or call the department at 540-831-5147.
Beta Alpha Psi is the Accounting/Finance Honors Fraternity that is offering free group tutoring each semester for ACTG 211, 212, and FINC 331. This tutoring is located in Kyle Hall 248 (undergraduate reading room) on Tuesdays and Thursdays 3:30-7:30pm.
The DCOBE Ambassadors offer individual and group sessions for tutoring. You are only allowed to sign up for one appointment per subject to begin with to ensure the appointment is kept.
Visit their website or go to Kyle Hall 244 for more information.
The ITEC Department offers peer tutoring for the introductory computer science classes.
NetTutor is an online 24/7 tutoring service that is free to Radford University students. Access it through OneCampus.
Please note that NetTutor is NOT a replacement for going to class.
Khan Academy is a free site with videos for learning mathematics, statistics, some sciences, and more.
Please note that Khan Academy is NOT a replacement for going to class.