How to study strategically for a midterm or test

You can study hard, and still find yourself unprepared for midterms. Study strategically instead. Take the time to really think about which tasks will get you ready to write these tests. Gather your study material, plan your time, and work efficiently.

Here are some tips to help you to prepare:

• Read through all your class notes. You should read each set of class notes uninterrupted, in one sitting (per class). This helps you to see the flow of the lectures, and to see the material as a whole. It will also help the material to settle into your short term memory. Write down questions as you read. Don’t expect it to be more understandable on the midterm. Ask questions while you still can.


• Get a question sheet ready. As you study, you’ll invariably run into problems. Have a sheet (or sheets) of paper ready to write down all your questions. Get all your questions answered before the test. You can bring your sheet of paper to study sessions or office hours.


• Try all homework assignments again. Learn by doing. The more active you are in your preparation, the more prepared you’ll be for the test. Go through all problem sets again, and all tutorial questions, etc. Make sure that you check your work at the end: practicing is no help if you’re just repeating past mistakes and reinforcing faulty understandings. Make sure that you ask for help if there are questions that you can’t solve. You have many resources: you can ask fellow students, TAs, professors, or tutors.


• Look for, and complete, past tests and exams. The midterms generally don’t change much from year to year. A great resource is past tests and exams. If you can find them, try going through all the questions, and actually trying to answer them on your own. Don’t just plan what you might do, and don’t simply go through another student’s answer. These are great ways to trick yourself into thinking that you’re more prepared than you are. Try the questions on your own, without looking at solutions, and check your work at the very end. Write down all questions that occur to you as you work, and circle all the problems that you can’t solve.


• Use cue cards to quiz yourself on definitions. Again, learn by doing: actively write or type out each definition as you go. It’s not enough to close your eyes and think about the answer. Put pen to paper and write. This will get you in test mode.


• Create practice tests, and write them in timed, test-like conditions. Finally, take questions from the textbook, assignments and old exams, and put them together into practice tests. Time yourself as you write these tests, so that you can get yourself prepare for midterms.

Studying strategically can also mean working with the best tutors.