Besides the rainy season, what other seasons are usually most avoided by those who are still in school? The answer, of course, is exam season! Just like the rainy season, the exam season also makes it difficult for them to travel and have fun. The difference is that the scourge is not the bad weather, but the fear of getting bad grades at the end of the semester. Are you one of those who are tired of seeing red scores adorn study reports? Don't worry, there are many ways you can do to significantly improve your test scores. Interested in knowing it? Read on for this article!
Step
Method 1 of 4: Absorb Knowledge Effectively and Efficiently
Step 1. Study seriously in class
The best way you can improve your test scores is by listening to the material taught in class. A lot of important information will be lost if you rarely come to class or often do other things that are not related to the lessons in class.
Step 2. Take notes
When your hand is taking notes, your brain will unconsciously absorb all the information you have recorded. By doing this process, you are indirectly saving study time later on because your brain has already stored some important information beforehand. You can also use these notes as a reference for studying outside of school or campus.
Step 3. Do the given homework
Homework, such as written assignments or book reading assignments, is also basically material that can be issued during an exam. While this activity may seem boring, you have no reason to ignore it if you want to improve your test scores. To avoid the habit of procrastinating work, it's a good idea to start planning a work schedule.
Step 4. Use a "mnemonic" technique (associating new information with something general) or another quick memorization trick
These tricks are especially useful for memorizing hard-to-remember information such as names, numbers, or address lists. Make sure you remember it correctly and don't mix up the information.
- Mnemonics is a technique of creating phrases or sentences that are able to connect several pieces of information. For example, you can use the phrase "Holidays Later We Will Rebut Frisk's Husband" you can use to memorize the list of alkaline elements, namely Hydrogen (H), Lithium (Li), Sodium (Na), Potassium (K), Rubidium (Rb), Caesium (Cs), and Francium (Fr).
- Another trick you can use to memorize strings of numbers is to break them down like a telephone number pattern. Remembering 253-761-0925 would be much easier than remembering 2537610925, right? You can also use this method to memorize the date. For example, change the date of the Battle of Hastings (14 October 1066) to some sort of locker combination number: 14-10-66.
Step 5. Do various practice questions
You can ask the teacher for questions or look for them yourself on the internet. Working on practice questions can help you figure out how much information you really know and think you know. Knowing your weaknesses before starting to take the exam is important.
Method 2 of 4: Studying Materials Effectively and Efficiently
Step 1. Study regularly
The Overnight System or the Hourly Race System will not guarantee you a perfect score. If you really want to get good results, study both old and new material every day or several days of the week. This will make it easier for you when exam day arrives.
- Take a rest. After studying for 30 minutes, make sure you set aside 5-10 minutes to rest. Rest is necessary so that your brain doesn't mind the load and has a chance to absorb all the information you've just learned.
- While resting, you should not fill your brain with new information, even if it is information about the latest concert of your favorite band.
Step 2. Apply your favorite learning style
Everyone has a different learning style. There are people who find it easier to learn to use visual media, while others find it easier to use sound media, physical movement, and so on. Know the learning style that works best for you, and apply that style every time you study.
For example, if you find it difficult to stay in one place for long periods of time, try studying while taking a walk. If you're more comfortable studying with your voice, try studying while listening to music. If you are more comfortable learning to use visual media, try making a chart with the information you need to remember
Step 3. Take advantage of your memory skills
Your brain is quite good at associating smells or sounds with certain ideas or memories. Take advantage of these abilities! When studying the exam material, use perfume with an unusual scent. Smell the scent again before or while you take an exam.
Step 4. Try listening to a song
It's almost impossible for any school to allow you to use headphones or earphones during exams. But at least you can listen to music, especially classical music, just before the exam starts. Research shows that listening to certain types of music before engaging in strenuous mental activity can help improve brain performance and raise your awareness.
Method 3 of 4: Preparing for the Exam
Step 1. Eat regularly
It is important for you to consume your body regularly, especially before the exam. Maximum results will not be achieved if you take the exam with a hungry stomach. But make sure you eat the right foods, foods high in fat and carbohydrates will actually make you sleepy. Instead, be diligent in eating high protein foods that are low in fat before the exam.
Regularly eating healthy foods can improve brain performance. So make sure you always feed your body with healthy foods to be able to study optimally
Step 2. Maximize your sleep time
Lack of sleep can make you feel depressed and have trouble concentrating. On the night before the test, make sure you go to bed early and don't stay up late. Rest your brain, rest your body.
Step 3. Prepare everything needed
Prepare the necessary tools such as a calculator, pen, pencil, blank paper, and others the day before the exam. Make sure you don't forget to bring it with you for the exam!
Step 4. Drink lots of water
Being dehydrated during an exam will make it difficult for you to think clearly. To fix this, drink plenty of water before the test and if possible, bring some water to class.
Step 5. Don't take actions that deviate from your habit
If you're not used to drinking coffee, don't try to drink it during exam season. Try not to do things that deviate from your daily routine. Doing so can actually harm you.
Method 4 of 4: Doing Exams Well
Step 1. Write down important information before starting to take the exam
After the question sheets are distributed, write all the formulas and important information you need on the question sheet or answer sheet with a pencil. When needed, you just have to look at the notes you've made.
Step 2. Do the easy questions first
This method is especially effective if you want to pass the exam quickly. If you find a problem that is difficult, move on to another problem that is easier. After you have done all the easy questions, go back to the questions you skipped.
Step 3. Cross out the wrong answers
If the questions you know for sure have the answer to, move on to the questions for which you still have doubts about the answers. If your question is multiple choice, cross out any answers that feel impossible or silly. This will make it easier for you to determine the answer that makes the most sense.
Step 4. Look for clues from other questions
Sometimes, there are answers to some questions that are hidden in other questions. Look at the other questions and their answers to brighten your memory.
Step 5. Never leave an answer blank
In multiple choice questions, you even have a 25% chance to answer correctly.
This is the perfect time to apply the 'cross out wrong answers' method as described earlier
Step 6. Manage your time well
This is important! Make the most of your time and always make sure you have the time you have left. Take a few minutes to double-check your answers later.
Tips
- Focus. Choose a quiet study location so you can concentrate. Also make sure you have eaten and slept enough so that your stamina and focus is maintained. Stay away from things that can distract you, unless they can help your study (such as a board full of sticky notes about important information).
- Avoid unimportant things that will only waste your time. Such as TV, computer (use only if you need internet network), cell phone, or even your friends who are fun!
- There's no point in studying while harboring fear. Eliminate all forms of fear and other negative feelings before you start studying.
- A structured schedule will be of great help to you. Spend more time studying difficult materials and don't overlook any material.
- Make a summary of the material (especially the material you just learned). This will be very helpful for you during the exam later.
- Determine what you need to do to learn the material and how long it will take you. Build your study schedule based on this information. Make sure you allow enough time and add extra time for each subject. Also make sure you set aside free time that can be used in case you suddenly have to do something outside of school matters.
- Study in a quiet place to keep your concentration awake.
- There's no need to feel overly depressed if your previous test scores were unsatisfactory. Every time that thought crosses your mind, take a deep breath, awaken optimism, and study hard for the upcoming exam. This will help you do better on the exam.
- Remember, there are no shortcuts to success. Try, because the results never betray the effort.
- Don't get too caught up in disappointment if your previous test scores were unsatisfactory.
- Studying while thinking about other things is very ineffective and a waste of time. Do whatever you want to do before you start studying. Once you are satisfied, start studying while your brain is not begging to stop learning. If there's nothing in particular you want to do, at least don't play until you've learned. You still have plenty of time to enjoy the day after schoolwork is over.
- Do the easy questions first.
- Learn gradually, each stage should not exceed 40 minutes. After 40 minutes, take 20 minutes to rest.
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Write your answer clearly and without convolution. The answer that was right may end up wrong if you don't convey it clearly. Write your answers in complete and clear sentences because your teacher has no obligation to complete each of your answers. If you have an analogy, imagine that the one who checks your test results is your own sister. It is your responsibility to explain to him in simple and easy to understand language. Could he understand if you just tell him the password? Of course not!
Warning
- Don't try to cheat. If caught, the risk of getting a zero value is in sight. There is nothing to be afraid of if you have prepared everything well.
- However, do not be too confident. People who are too sure of themselves tend to like to underestimate the test. If this happens to you, it is not impossible that your test scores will end badly. For example, suppose you scored a 95 on a previous math exam. Because you've got good grades, you feel like you're good at it and don't need to study for the next exam. What happened? Chances are your grades will go down.
