1. Success with exam taking begins on the first day of class:
a. Get a copy of the class syllabus and read it carefully.
b. Ask/know what the prof’s expectations are and the material to be covered.
2. Superior academics never miss a class:
a. Practice listening to the Prof.: What is emphasized, what is repeated?
b. Practice note taking: Three months from now you will not remember what was said the first month of class.
3. A-students read the textbook chapters through at least five times: They outline the chapters and summarize major issues.
NOTE: Attendance + Attention + Textbook Study = Good testing knowledge.
4. Class and textbook notes should be reviewed at least once per week.
a. Compare class notes and textbook notes:
1) How do these two sources complement each other?
2) How do they differ?
3) If they differ greatly, or disagree on a point, ask the prof. for clarification.
b. Expect to put in 40 hours per week on your studies: If you have gone to class and have faithfully read and studied your book — and still you are not up to 40 hours –then put in the extra hours reviewing your notes.
c. A couple weeks before the exam, begin to identify (from your notes) the issues that may yield exam questions. Write your questions in the margins of your notes. Practice answering them.
5. A few class periods before a major exam, ask your prof. the following:
a. How many questions will be on the exam?
b. Will the questions be true or false, multiple-choice, fill in the blanks, short answer, or essay? Knowing the type of questions included will guide you in how to study.
c. Will the exam questions expect specific knowledge (e.g., “There are 5,741, left-handed, blue-eyed, cross-dressers in Gideon’s study.”); or more conceptual knowledge (e.g., “Prison populations have grown exponentially during the last twenty years.); or definitions (e.g., “Crime is legally defined as ‘behavior’ which breaks ‘statutory law,’ and for which one can be ‘punished’ by the state.”).
d. Direct your studies toward answering questions of the type asked.
6. Definitions and explanations should be developed in your own words.
a. If you cannot define it in your own words, you do not understand it!
b. Other people’s definitions and explanations may be memorized and parroted back on a test, but they will neither be understood nor remembered by you.
c. If you cannot explain a point or issue to a friend or fellow student using your own words, you do not understand the point; and can hardly expect to be ready if a question about that point is asked on the exam.
d. If you cannot define and explain the terms and concepts used in your classes, you are not getting a “college education!”
7. Be done with your study at 5 p.m. the day before the exam:
a. A good supper, an early movie, and a good night’s rest are more valuable than cramming those last hours. We are quite sure that Muhammad Ali did not spar late into the night the day before he whipped each of his heavyweight boxing opponents.
b. Eat a nourishing breakfast: When you focus your mind on the exam, it will need all the proper fuel it can use (and while your muscles can get by on low-octane regular gasoline, your mind works only at peak efficiency with high-test!).
8. Those last few days before the exam, be psyching yourself up: M. Ali was heard to declare again and again, “I AM THE GREATEST!!!” So, convince yourself:
a. I have studied hard and faithfully according to the suggestions above.
b. I understand the material.
c. All I have to do is write down the answers.
d. If any others can get As on this exam, I certainly can!
e. I am something special, and my mind is great!
f. I will focus my mind to draw all of my ability to perform during the hour allotted for the exam!
g. Don’t say it, rather think it: “Give me the exam! I’ll show all of you!”
9. Most students practicing the steps one through eight above rigorously, faithfully, and purposefully will receive As in most college classes.