School Work: How to Get an A

To do well on tests, you have to develop good study habits.

Here a quick guide how to earn better grades and get that elusive A in your test.

Organize Yourself

To be a successful student, you have to hon your time management skills. Don't start studying for a test the night before. It always never works out.

Good study habits start with the first day of your class. Take plenty of notes, listen to the lectures, and highlight any points that require further study. Keep your classroom notes tidy and review them regularly. This way, you will have absorbed information before you even sit down to study for a particular test.

Review Daily

Set yourself a specific time once a week, for a couple of hours, to review the most difficult subjects. Read all the assignments on time, don't delay any work, or you'll end up with a truckload of assignments to catch up on.

But remember, take regular breaks when studying and drink plenty of fluids to keep your mind working. A great way to help you review and remember are flashcards. You can take them anywhere and study whenever you have a few minutes to spare. Every minute you can set aside to review counts.

Study Buddies

Encourage yourself and fellow students by working together. But don't confuse study groups with socializing. Only with dedication, concentration, and a firm goal in mind should you join a study group. Otherwise, you'll waste your time chatting and gossiping.

Also, a firm structure in beneficial. You might want to start each study group by asking each other questions or share written information.

Breathe Deeply

Time to take your exam. The day before your exam, make sure you don't overdue your last minute study efforts. It's important to get enough sleep. When your exam starts, listen carefully, read questions slowly, and don't panic!

Anything you might note at first glance at the test, take quick notes to get it out of your mind. Don't answer too fast, take your time. Don't get stuck on one question, but move on to another, you can always go back. Sometimes, a different question will trigger your memory, providing you with the right answer for that questions you didn't know at first.

3 Tips for Multiple Choice

If unsure which number to choose, take the one in the middle range.
If unsure which answer to choose, cross out the answers that make no sense at all, and then guess. (Good Luck!)
Question that ask for true or false answers, are tricky. Read them very carefully. Look out for words such as "always" or "never". These words are a hint that the answer is "false", but I give no guarantee!

If you are well-organized, study daily, and keep your mind focused on your goal, then you'll become a better student. Getting an A in a test isn't easy, but it's well within your reach!

Source: Boyd, Ronald T.C. (1988). "Improving Your Test-Taking Skills." ERIC Digest No. 101. ERIC Clearinghouse on Tests and Measurement. ED 302 558.