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Learning Strategies

Studying for Exams

The Preparation

  1. Set up a review schedule and stick to it.
  2. Review selectively, considering the goals and emphases of the course. What do you know is considered important in this course.
  3. Try to predict questions; write these down on cards so you can rehearse possible answers.
  4. Study groups can work, if they fit your learning style, but study together early, not just before the exam.
  5. On the night before the exam, try to maintain a natural schedule. Eat the way you usually do; sleep a normal amount. Eat a light meal before exam time.
  6. The brain requires time to process what you have crammed into it. Give it time....

The Approach

  1. Accept your tension and think of good ways to release that tension. Remember that some tension is normal and even beneficial.
  2. Get to your exam ahead of time, so you can be relaxed. Breathe deeply and keep your body relaxed. (Think swimming competition here: ready, practiced, confident, but relaxed.)
  3. Be sure you bring all necessary items with you.
  4. Sit where you usually sit if possible.
  5. Don't cram at the last minute! Remember the brain requires time to process. Last minute studying can actually impair your memory, causing facts and ideas to scramble and anxiety to increase.
  6. Keep your distance from other students. Last minute discussion of exam material causes the same problems listed in the previous item (5).
  7. Don't expect to know ALL the answers. Expect to do your best.
  8. Read the directions. Read the directions. Read the directions. Understand what is expected of you. Ask questions of the instructor if you don't understand. Read the directions once more. Breathe.
  9. Determine which questions are easiest for you and consider doing these first. (This strategy is calming, motivating and a good use of time.)
  10. Consider carefully how the answers will be weighted and scored. Be sure to do the ones that count the most; don't waste time on questions that won't count much.

Essay Question

  1. Exam time is not a good time to test limits or argue with a professor's expectations. Writing an essay on a exam is no time for flowery language or dense, complex prose. Cut to the chase.
  2. Be absolutely clear and specific. Give the facts, show their relationships to one another, and support your conclusions using class discussions, readings, texts, lectures, or your own thoughts. Omit the extraneous.
  3. Portion out time available. Stick to your time schedule rigidly, so you can answer all the questions.
  4. Make a brief outline for each question before you start writing each one, to avoid rambling and disorganization. As you write your essay, if other ideas occur to you, add them to the outline.
  5. Pay careful attention to the specific intent of the question. (See next section.)
  6. Begin your essay by turning the question into an opening statement, then proceeding.
  7. If you draw a blank, jot down anything that comes to mind. Free associate. Often the act of writing will trigger ideas, leading to legitimate answers.
  8. Save time to read over your answer, making corrections.

Most-Used Direction Words

The following words usually have the specific meanings listed below, though there is always an instructor who means something else by them. Different verbs in the prompt should trigger different approaches in the answer.


Compare: Show how they are the same and how they differ.
Contrast: Show how they differ.
Criticize: Examine the pros and cons and give your judgement.
Defend: Give details that prove it or show its value.
Define: Just give the meaning.
Describe: Give the details and examples that show what it is.
Discuss and Review: Examine from all angles. (These words are catchalls. They might mean trace, outline, describe, compare, list, explain, evaluate, defend, criticize, enumerate, summarize, or tell all you know about it.)
Distinguish: Tell how this is different from others similar to it.
Evaluate: Give your opinion as to the advantages and disadvantages.
Explain and show: Show, in logical sequence, how or why something happened (or both).
Illustrate: Give examples.
Justify: Give the facts and then prove it's true. Name, list, tell and enumerate: Give just the information that is specifically asked for.
Prove: Show that it is true and that its opposite is false.
Summarize and outline: Give the main points.
Trace: Show how something developed step-by-step (usually chronologically).

Objective Questions

  1. Answer all the questions you are sure about first, putting a small mark by the ones that give you trouble.
  2. If you guess, put down the first answer that occurs to you.
  3. Don't change an answer unless you are positive that another answer is right. (Don't exchange one guess for another.)
  4. Pay particular attention to key words and qualifiers (always, never, all, none....)
  5. Read the questions over several times, explaining them to yourself, sometimes rephrasing the question in a way that you better understand.
  6. Check your answers. (But be very careful about changing them unless you KNOW the correct answer.)

As You Take Your Exam

  1. Continue to breathe and relax. Consider putting down your pencil every 10 minutes or so. Hang your arms down beside your desk. Relax your neck and shoulders. Breathe. Your brain needs oxygen! Deep breathing will also help relax you.
  2. Watch the clock. You don't need last minute surprises!

Note: If you need some special consideration or accommodation for your exam, be sure to talk to your professor well ahead of the exam period.

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