How to Pass a Test: Effective Study Strategies & Tips

Getting good grades is a goal for all students, but not every student approaches the work of good grades in the same way. In this guide, we offer simple, effective practices for how to pass a test, plus tips you can use to prepare the week before, the night before, and the day of the exam. We’ll show you how to approach taking tests armed with good habits — including a good breakfast and a good night’s sleep!

Understanding Test Formats

The key to good preparation before a test or exam is knowing what you’re preparing for. Most teachers or professors will tell you the format of the test during class in the week leading up to the test. It might be multiple choice, true/false, fill-in-the-blank, essay questions, or a mix of these. If your teacher doesn’t say in class, make a point to ask them. 

You can also ask your teacher for a study guide, or some extra practice questions to help you prepare for the test. Make sure you know which chapters of your textbook the test will cover, and that you have all the materials at home to review. If you missed a homework assignment due to vacation or illness, you should complete it so that you understand the material you missed. 

Once you know the format of the test, look through your classroom notes and homework assignments for similar question types. You can be sure that if your teacher assigned it for homework, there’s a good chance it will appear on the test. Review your textbook and materials for additional study questions that you can complete during your study sessions.

Effective Study Strategies

You’ve heard the phrase “good study habits” dozens of times in your life, but have you ever stopped to consider studying as a habit? Most students only study when they’re faced with an exam, and consider studying and completing homework to be two separate activities. 

Instead, why not take on studying as a real habit? As you complete your homework each day, try to judge which questions seem ‘important’, and likely to end up on a test, and which are less important. Collect these in a document or binder to help with your test prep, and spend a few minutes each day looking them over — especially if there are any you didn’t get right the first time. You can also build in a small amount of time each day, 15 minutes at most, for reviewing old homework and practising the answers, especially for subjects like math, physics and chemistry where you have to show your work. If you look at studying as a small habit at the end of each day’s homework, you won’t have to pull any more all-nighters before your tests and exams.

Active Learning Techniques 

For most students, active learning techniques like completing practice questions or even answering online quizzes or games are a much better way to learn than just reading the material in a textbook. If you’re the outgoing type, don’t overlook how effective studying in a group might be. Your peers can help you learn how to pass a test with their own tips and tricks. Plus, if you’re an extrovert, you might find that learning in a group is more engaging and improves your memory. 

Dealing with Test Anxiety

If you’re a student who suffers from severe stress related to testing and exams, sometimes even the thought of studying for a test is enough to make you feel anxious. Many students with test anxiety avoid thinking about and preparing for tests because of how it makes them feel. On exam day, that feeling of being underprepared makes their anxiety even worse.

If you have (or think you may have) test anxiety, it’s worth it to get professional help. If you’re a high school student, start by speaking to your parents about your issues. You can make a plan together to speak to your school’s guidance counsellor, and find resources that can help you with your anxiety. If you’re a university student, your school’s student resource centre or your family doctor will be able to connect you with help for your condition. Don’t feel shy to ask about accommodations that may be available to help lessen your test anxiety!

As you’re heading into an exam with test anxiety, take the time to calm your body and mind. Try to be a little early for your exam, and spend some time taking deep, calming breaths. If you have a negative, intrusive thought like, “I’m going to fail this test” try to replace it with a positive one: “I studied hard. I will do well on this test.”

Practice Makes Perfect

Taking practice exams is a great way to prepare for your test. Try to build in time a few days ahead of your test to complete a practice exam, so you’ll have time to review the questions you get wrong. Your teacher may be able to supply you with an exam, or you may even find one online that covers similar material. If you can’t, try to make up a small exam by yourself with questions from old homework assignments.

If you’re taking a standardised exam like the LSAT or MCAT, there are a number of practice exams available that will help you not only prepare the material, but also practise the endurance required for these long, intensive exams.

The Night Before the Exam

In order to be best prepared for your exam, it’s important to get a good night’s rest. It may be tempting to stay up and cram, but you’ll do better on the test if you’re well-rested. Plan for a quick review of the material you find trickiest, and then go to bed early and focus on relaxing. Also be sure to pack your bag with all your test materials the night before, so you don’t forget anything in the morning.

The Day of the Exam

The morning of your test, eat a healthy, filling breakfast that will power your brain for the test. Try to arrive early to help settle your nerves. When the test begins, listen carefully to any instructions from your teacher, and take the time to read over the test instructions, too. Many students find it helpful to skim through the test, noting which sections seem easiest, and which are hardest. When you have a good idea of what’s on the test, begin with the easy sections. You don’t have to complete the test in the order it’s written! Starting with what you know can “warm up” your brain, so that you feel more confident towards the end of the test when it’s time to tackle the more challenging sections. 

When you’re done, take a few moments to read over your work. You can catch any errors, and ensure you’ve answered any questions you skipped. Taking the time to review can be the difference between a lower grade and a higher grade, so don’t leave any marks on the table. Keep an eye on the time during the exam, and leave at least 10 minutes for review at the end of your test period.

How TutorLyft Can Help

If you struggle with effective test preparation, getting a private tutor can help. Working with a tutor can allow you to discover your learning style, and the studying techniques that best suit you. They can also coach you in the subjects you struggle with, and explain tricky concepts in a new way that allows you to understand them. All you need for tutoring is a positive mindset and an openness to learning in new ways. You can get started with our qualified tutors today.

Conclusion

Taking tests is part of student life. With the right preparation, you can de-stress the process of studying and writing exams, and look forward to better grades. Get personalised test prep support with a professional TutorLyft tutor and see how much easier test preparation and achieving your academic goals can be!