How to take a math exam

Test taking skills will differ depending upon the test the individual is taking. For instance, the strategies used on a multiple choice question test will not be the same as those used on a short answer or true/false test. And those strategies used on a math test will be entirely different than each of those.

You can prepare for a math exam by starting early. Pay attention in class, do the homework assignments and work to understand the problems, not just to get them right. If you can accomplish each of these three things then you have cut your study time in half. Another tip is to know your professor. If you have them available, look at tests from previous years or semesters. Talk with students who have taken his class. Most professors do not change their testing style.

Work a variety of problems as you prepare to take the test. Many math books have review problems or practice tests in the back of the book. Use those so you aren\’t sure of the type of problem you are facing. When you are doing homework the math problems you\’re doing are the same as the concept you just learned but in a test you are tested over several past week’s worth of material. By using problems that you aren\’t sure about you more accurately mimic a test situation.

Some students enjoy cramming. In other words, they don\’t study through the week and then stay up for hours trying to learn everything in one marathon long session. However, math isn\’t memory work but rather learning to recognize patters and applying the correct technique to solve the problem. You are being tested on skill and not memorized facts. This means that you must work problems every day to learn the skill.

Try to reduce everything you need to one sheet of paper. These are called crib sheets. Some teachers allow you to use them and others don\’t. If you can use one then you have it, if not the act of doing it will help to organize the material in your mind and retain it.

Try to form or join a study group with 3-4 dedicated students. In this way you\’ll both read, work and discuss the problems which gives your brain multiple ways of absorbing the material. And, if there is another student who doesn\’t understand the material and you can\’t explain it then you don\’t know it as well as you think you did.

At the start of any math exam briefly look through the whole test. You can prioritize sections, pace yourself and do the easy questions first. Read the instructions carefully! You may get the math right but if you got the question wrong then you won\’t even get partial credit.

Do a \”brain-dump\” or instant crib sheet. This is a list of key formulas on an empty section of the math test so you have them available later in the test when the pressure of solving the problems has driven the formulas out of your head.

Clearly write each step of the problem and don\’t skip steps. It\’s very easy to skip a step and miswrite numbers from calculations you did in your head. Be very neat in your writing and calculations and keep checking the solutions.

If you get stuck on a problem then move on and come back to it later. When you finish the test recheck your work and be sure you answered all questions. If you believe that an answer is wrong don\’t change it unless you are equally sure that the new answer is right.

Answer the question being asked. If the problem asks for the dimensions of a box then your answer should have 3 numbers; if the problem asks for a percent then the answer shouldn\’t be a decimal point. Each of these small errors can mean the difference in an entire letter grade.

Stress will affect your body and the way that you think. Pay attention to the way you are feeling and if you find you are getting stressed then do something about it. Close your eyes and take a deep breath; tense each muscle group independently and release it, drink water, visualize or stretch. Do something to reduce your stress level.

By learning to incorporate some of these math exam tips into your test take strategies you\’ll be better able to perform up to your ability and successfully achieve the grade you desire.