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Concentrate in class. A good teacher or text will be easy to understand if you listen or read with total attention. You probably know that you can hear or see words without really concentrating and, therefore, without really understanding or learning the material. To help you to concentrate on your studies, keep a record of the key statements such as dates, facts, and lists that may be asked on the tests. From the computer, you can summarize a list of key points to refer to and, if you are in a class where you take notes, write neatly and put your notes in outline form. When you do not understand what the teacher says or what is written in the text, ask the teacher for clarification. If you do not take time to understand the material, you probably will not be able to answer key questions on the tests. To avoid being distracted, carefully select where you sit. Sitting close to students who are noisy or sitting close to a window overlooking a playground will be distracting. (The same logic applies to the television and stereo!)

2. Plan deadlines for every project. To help you to plan deadlines for school projects, homework, and tests, obtain a calendar that has a small white square for each day in the semester. Write on that calendar when homework assignments are due, when tests will be given, and when projects are to be finished. Your calendar should include both short-term and long-term due dates for all your subjects. Study your calendar. If you have two different course projects due the same week, you should make the deadline for one of the projects a week earlier than the due date. In this way you will not have two long assignments to complete the same evening. If any large project or assignment is due the same week as a final exam, then make your own deadline for that project a week earlier. You will then be able to concentrate on studying for the exam during the last week. Reading assignments should be completed as early as possible so that they are not rushed.

3. Start strong and don't procrastinate. At the start of school or when beginning a new unit, do not neglect to work hard. The work that is not done at the start will have to be done later. The more work that is postponed, the more work you will have to do in less time. With less time to complete your work, you will not learn as thoroughly.

4. Review, Review, Review. Go back over your lessons, paying close attention to the questions you got wrong and the sections you don't quite understand. Review daily and you will learn more and have less studying to do before the exam.

5. Prepare thoroughly for a test. Follow these steps to prepare for a test:

a. Summarize briefly in outline form all material to be tested.

b. Make a list of possible test questions.

c. Answer the questions that you have written and check your answers.

d. Get a good night's rest the night before the test.

By following these steps you can become more prepared to take tests, and you may even see your test grades go up.