Tests are a very important part of your high school years, and will continue to be as you enter college. Though understanding the material on a test is most important, there are a few extra things you can do to help improve your scores.
Be consistently prepared. Attend all your classes. Take good notes. And do the homework.
Study smartly. Review your papers, notes, quizzes and books. Ask your teachers for help in areas that are difficult to understand.
When you’re taking a test, simply take the test. Don’t worry about what you’re doing after the test or what’s next on your planner.
Get plenty of sleep the night before your test. You’ll want your mind to be ready for your test in the morning.
Eat a balanced breakfast the morning of the test. This will give you energy and will help you focus on your test.
Take the proper materials: two #2 (HB) pencils, eraser and calculator (if necessary). Plus, take any additional materials your teacher gave you permission to use (textbook, study sheet, extra paper, etc.).
Get there a few minutes early to become familiar with the surroundings and find a seat in which you feel comfortable. Sit and relax. If you’re nervous, you’ll have a hard time concentrating on the test.
When the test is handed out, wait for the teacher’s approval to begin. Before you start, skim over the test to see how long it is, what kind of questions to expect, and to make sure that you’re not missing any pages.
Read/follow directions carefully. Start by writing your name on the test.
Read each question carefully. Make sure you really understand what each question is asking.
Answer the easy questions first. If you stumble on a question, skip it and go back to it later.
If you complete your test early, use the extra time to double check your work.
If you’re taking a standardized test, familiarize yourself with it beforehand by doing practice tests. You can find samples on kaptest.com, or in each standardized test’s respective books found at the library.
