HI & LOIS © 1988 KING FEATURES SYNDICATE

You have to put some skin in the game to perform well on tests.

The amount of time you devote to studying directly impacts the result. There is no substitute for preparation!

Study smart and be sure the time and effort you put into preparation is the most effective.

Read on to discover Brain Camp’s Smart Tips For Test-Taking...

PICK YOUR MOMENT: Study for a test during your prime energy time. You learn faster when you feel strong, alert and have more energy to focus on the material.

BACKWARDS-PLAN: Look ahead to the test date and then plan how to divide up the material to schedule enough time to review it.

TEAMWORK: Join a study group to brainstorm what’s going to be on the test and ideas for how to sort and remember the information.

PLAY TO YOUR STRENGTHS: Tailor test prep to your individual learning style:

Visual learners: form pictures or movies in your mind to trigger recall. Create charts and visual aids to sort and display information.

Auditory learners: rehearse, rephrase and recite information – your brain needs to hear the words. Create rhymes, raps or add theatrical expression.

Hands-on (kinesthetic) learners: Keep on the move. Squeeze a stress ball while working on math or science problems. Make a model or cut up diagrams and reassemble them.

DEFINE & REFINE: Condense notes and hand-outs into a single study sheet or 5x8 note card that contains the key information. The act of consolidating and manipulating the information improves comprehension and recall.

TEST SIMULATION: Match studying to the style of the test by following the test format. Does the test require essays or writing your thoughts? Then practice writing answers to your own sample questions.

AVOID CRAMMING: Always avoid waiting until the last night to study!! But, if this is your reality, prioritize and do it with a purpose - select 2 or 3 areas, based on what your teacher has emphasized. Use your time wisely and don’t spread yourself too thin.

GET AN EARLY NIGHT: Sleep directly correlates to academic performance. One of the purposes of sleep is to organize and store information learned during the day. Get more than 6 hours sleep a night and you’ll have faster reaction times and thinking speed.

EAT A GOOD BREAKFAST: Give your brain a jump-start with a breakfast that gets your metabolism going. A breakfast of grains, fruit, milk and a protein like eggs or peanut butter provides the brain with energy to remember and to understand new information.

DRESS RIGHT: Wear clothes that you like, that make you feel good and are comfortable. What you wear can be strengthening and the stronger you feel, the more resourceful you become.

POP SOME NUTS: Eating peanuts, raw almonds or cashews about 20 minutes before exams, often helps people think better and faster. Nuts supply choline and lecithin that feed the brain neurotransmitters, improving memory/recall. Their protein and magnesium keeps blood sugar levels steady, so you can think clearly for longer periods.

MOVE IT!: Current studies show that exercising before studying or tests improves the brain’s ability to focus, make connections and retrieve information. Take a brisk walk to reduce jitters and make a difference in the exam room.

BE THERE: Show up mentally as well as physically, with the intention of showing what you know. Arrive on time, prepared with everything you need - pens, pencils, calculators, tissues... Avoid distractions and limit socializing right before the test.

APPLY BODY & MIND:

• Drink: Water makes up 90% of the brain and plays a crucial role in electrical activity, essential to making connections and recalling information.
• Breathe: The #1 remedy to relieve exam nerves is deep, regular breathing. It focuses the mind, oxygenates the blood and relaxes the muscles.
• Sit up: Erect body posture is energizing and puts you into a more resourceful state of mind. Avoid hunching over - it impedes breathing, which depletes oxygen to the brain and slows down fact retrieval.

POSITIVE TALK: Success in school depends on how you choose to see and encourage yourself. Build mental toughness and cut out self-doubts or stressful thoughts with reminders that you "know this stuff" and "have the skills" to nail the test. Use post-it notes to make visual messages.

1. READ THE DIRECTIONS!!! Get all available credit and avoid time-consuming mistakes.

2. CREATE A SAFETY NET: On the back or margins of the test, quickly jot down information or formulas you don’t want to confuse.

3. REVIEW WHOLE PAPER: Determine the sections worth the most points and start there.

4. PACE YOURSELF: Answer the questions you know, mark those you’re less sure of and come back to them.

5. DOUBLE-CHECK YOUR ANSWERS: Make sure you marked your answer sheet correctly, answered what was asked for on written questions and showed your work where necessary.

Think of every returned test and marked paper as a priceless learning tool - no matter what your grade.

Take the time to review it carefully. You’ll get an insight into what your teacher thinks is most important and areas for improvement. Use it to pick up helpful clues as to what you can do differently next time to prepare.

Don’t just wish for better grades - study smarter and see the difference.