BEST WAY TO STUDY FOR A TEST

Posted on March 18, 2013 by Jeffrey Newman

There is a neat little article in today’s Wall Street Journal which talks about techniques for studying effectively for exams. Among other things it says that testing yourself repeatedly before an exam is better than re-reading the text because the tests help the brain to more easily retrieve and apply knowledge from memory. Taking pre-tests may seem hard and boring but it is clearly one of the best ways to boost your test scores and test taking skills. Here’s a way to engage your unconscious mind: review the toughest material just before you go to bed the night before the test. All nighters are a no-no and lower grades. You need good sleep. Eat a good solid breakfast the day of the test. Slow digesting high fiber foods like oatmeal and days before keep up with fruit and vegetables and stay away from fat. The article also has some good thoughts on stress and anxiety reduction techniques which will help on the day of the exam.