Do you have a math exam soon but don't have enough free time to prepare? If so, the first thing you should really do is take a deep breath and calm yourself down. Remember, getting one bad test score won't end your life! However, that doesn't mean you don't need to learn, right! Instead, try reading the articles below to find tips for studying exam material effectively in a relatively short period of time, so that your test scores can still be maximized. Some of them are getting enough rest, eating healthy foods, studying smart, and taking the right approach.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Studying the Exam Material
Step 1. Choose a study location that is relaxing and free from distractions
Before studying, move your computer, cell phone, television, and gaming equipment to another room. In addition, make sure your study room is also equipped with comfortable chairs. Clean the desk of the study of items that are not important. If possible, make sure you only put your notebooks and math textbooks on the table.
- Public libraries are great learning locations because they are generally free from distractions.
- Tell friends and relatives that you cannot be disturbed while studying.
Step 2. Change the study location to increase the retention of the material
When you study, your brain will make associations between the material being studied and the things around you. Thus, changing locations while learning will help the brain to add to these associations.
Before setting a new location, make sure that it is completely free of distractions
Step 3. Rework the questions listed in the daily assignments and previous exams
Read the questions listed in the daily assignments and previous exams, then rework the questions, especially those whose answers are still wrong. While working on these questions, write down all the steps you have to take and don't look at the answer key.
Also note down all the mistakes you made along with the revision given by the teacher
Step 4. List the important concepts and formulas
Search past textbooks, notes, assignments, and exams to find concepts and formulas that are frequently discussed, and therefore important. Then, mark concepts and formulas that you already understand well, as well as concepts and formulas that you still don't master.
Try your best to remember all the concepts and formulas that have been written down
Step 5. Choose a study method that suits your preferences
If you prefer to study the material visually, try summarizing the exam material in the form of pictures, diagrams, and tables to make it easier to remember. If you prefer to study material by listening, try looking for teaching videos on YouTube and/or other sites relevant to your exam material. In other words, choose the learning method that works best for you!
If you want, you can try teaching the exam material to other people, such as relatives or friends, you know
Step 6. Do practice questions to identify your abilities
In fact, taking exam questions is one of the most effective ways of studying! Therefore, you can try to collect practice questions from daily assignments, other exams, and textbooks that are likely to come out on the exam. Then, set an alarm to make sure you can answer all the questions within a certain deadline.
- If you don't already know, try asking your teacher about the format of an upcoming exam.
- Adjust the duration and format of the practice to the characteristics of your exam later.
Step 7. Ask for help from other teachers or students
Don't be afraid to ask the teacher for help, okay? Remember, their primary responsibility is to help you understand the material. That's why you can always ask them for anything they don't understand via email or in person after class. If you want, you can also ask your classmates the same question.
Ask specific questions so they can give you concrete answers that actually help you
Method 2 of 3: Keep Calm and Relax
Step 1. Rest for 5 to 10 minutes after studying for 20 to 50 minutes
Breaking down a study session into smaller parts can help increase the retention of the material you are studying. When it's break time, get up to stretch, take a walk around the room, or make a cup of tea.
Try not to check your phone and the internet, or watch television when you're resting. Do this so that your body and mind can stay focused on learning activities
Step 2. Exercise to improve your memory and concentration skills
Doing an exercise as simple as jogging or a short 20-minute walk can increase your energy level and study effectiveness. Just by doing so, your memory and concentration skills will improve tremendously!
- Take a 30 minute break for every 2 hours of study.
- Exercising outdoors is a great option, especially since the fresh air can help boost your energy levels.
Step 3. Eat a healthy, balanced diet before the test
Remember, the breakfast menu you eat before the exam is very important! That's why, you should eat foods that are high in carbohydrates and fiber such as oatmeal. A week before the exam, you should also increase the consumption of fruits, vegetables, and protein so that the nutrients obtained by the body are more balanced.
Eating healthy snacks such as almonds, fruit, or yogurt can also help the body to stay fresh and energized while studying
Step 4. Get at least 8 hours of sleep the night before the test
If you have limited study time, you will likely be tempted to stay up all night to study the material. In fact, these actions will actually have a negative impact on your performance, you know! If your body and mind are tired, you will find it difficult to remember information while taking the exam. Remember, the brain will work most optimally after resting!
If you have to get up at 6am, go to bed with the lights off at 10:30pm. That way, you have 30 minutes to “sleep” and still get 8 hours of rest
Method 3 of 3: Taking the Exam
Step 1. Read the instructions on each question carefully
Be careful, many people have to lose points because they are not careful in reading the instructions contained in the questions. To prevent this possibility from happening, make sure you read each question carefully and repeatedly so that there are no mistakes that are actually trivial.
Pay more attention to keywords that are important, such as “describe” or “mention.”
Step 2. Do the easy questions first
Because the time provided is limited, make sure you manage it well! If you find a question that you can't solve, skip it first. After all the easy questions are answered, you can return to focusing on the more difficult questions.
If you are too fixated on difficult questions, it is feared that you will not have enough time to solve problems that can actually be done easily
Step 3. Make the most of the time you have
In other words, don't collect answer sheets until the examiner instructs you to do so! If you have completed all the questions before the exam time is up, take the time to reread all the questions and check your answers. Make sure you don't make mistakes that are trivial and could have been avoided if you were more careful.
