Here it comes! It's exam time, and this year, things are definitely different with so many types of courses—fully online, hybrid, and in-person. Though the structure of classes may have changed, tried-and-true exam study tips remain.

Wiley asked educators to share exam prep strategies they know work. We received a variety of responses, many of which were a variation on a theme.  After reviewing, we chose five and now happily pass these along to you. 

Good luck! Stay safe, stay healthy, and stay sharp. 

Five Exam Study Tips You Need to Know

1. Review your notes from class and look for concepts or topics that were emphasized or even overemphasized.  If provided with a study guide, write out short-answer responses for each item.  Since lists of items tend to be multiple-choice options, writing out explanations for each is helpful. Finally, be disciplined enough to do a bit of studying every day before an exam; it makes a difference and is more effective than last-minute cram sessions.

2. Frequency is more important than duration. Start with a key concept and hang the details on it. Generally, there are only a few really important concepts on which the rest of the information builds or connects. Another strategy is to take your own notes and make your own Quizlet or study guide.  Highlighting the textbook and using a Quizlet you found are passive strategies.

3. Review content from the entire semester but do so holistically because the topics build. Details memorized early in the semester should make more sense at the end of the term. For courses where the exam is comprehensive, questions will include related information across multiple chapters.  Don’t just go back over specific tests or quiz questions, but look for major ideas.

4.  Don’t just review by reading, but try to think of what questions you would ask someone to determine if they understand the material. Pets can make great study partners by asking them questions out loud and then explaining the answer to them.

5. Practice problems you haven’t completed or seen before. I think sometimes it’s easy to only focus on examples you've already seen. Fresh problems can help you think through the process from the beginning.

Want to learn how to re-train your brain to get A's? Click the tile to check out the webinar and understand how it's done.