The tests that you take provide the measurement for the success of your college experience. Test grades make up course grades, course grades make up GPA, GPA affects graduation and graduation affects after-college jobs, income, etc. Here are a few keys to maximizing test preparation: 

  • Review material right after class when it’s still fresh in your memory. 
  • Space out your studying rather than doing it all the night before a test — review several times a week, focusing on one topic at a time. 
  • Find a comfortable and quiet place to study with good lighting and little distractions. 
  • Take short breaks frequently. Your memory retains information that you study at the beginning and the end better than what you study in the middle. 
  • Make sure that you understand the material well — don’t just try to memorize everything. 
  • If you choose to study in a group, only study with others who are serious about a test. 
  • Don’t study later than the time you usually go to sleep as you may fall asleep or be tempted to go to sleep. If you are a morning person try studying in the morning. 

Get helpful information for studying and taking tests at AcademicTips.org.