How to study for exams

1. How to study for exams in a short time
Studying for exams for a short time is dangerous because you may not meet up to the exam time to
cover up every thing that has been taught and studying all the materials. To ensure that you
prepare well for a short time for the exams you must do the following steps:
1. Form a timetable of available study time. Look at the time you have available and what your
outside responsibilities are. Calculate the number of hours you will have available to study. Chunk
out study periods of a minimum of two hours at a time. Longer periods can get too tiring so be
careful of this. Take breaks. Without breaks you may lose focus and not learn as much as you think
you might in long cram sessions.
2. Review prior course materials and focus on what you know. If you are cramming for an exam it is
not likely that you will be able to digest and learn a large amount of new material. It is best to
start by looking over any old exams, study guides passed out and lecture notes. Review these for
trends of topics and subjects that are talked about frequently. Focus on getting those topics
covered first.
3. Write down subjects and topics that you are unfamiliar with. Learning new material will be the
toughest task in a short amount of time. Take the topics list and if possible review your course
materials to try to gain an idea over which topics might be tested on. Typically these are ones that
have the largest amount of coverage in your text. Don’t spend a lot of time on text readings that
are small compared to larger ones. Make a calculated decision about which to study.
4. Study in a good environment. If possible leave home and head to a library or place that fewer
distractions. Do not try to study with the TV on or with music blaring. Sit in a straight chair and
never have a study session. Even if you have studied like this before, you are now on an intensified
deadline that requires intense measures for success.
5. Employ study techniques such as repetition, flash cards and mnemonics. For repetition, sit with
your notebook and write over and over what you need to know. For example repeatedly write
out the names of important persons you need to study. Draw flash cards with info on them and
go over them constantly. Come up with silly rhymes or word associations to help you remember
points.
6. When have limited time to prepare for a test, but you’re tired, studying can seem like a hopeless
endeavor. However, maximizing your exposure to the material is crucial to achieving a high score.
You can keep studying when you’re tired and even increase your knowledge if you take care of
your body and keep your brain alert.
7. Prepare Yourself and Your Environment. Eat before studying if you are hungry. Hunger can distract
you and keep you from retaining what you study. Tell roommates or family members that you are
studying. Ask them not to disturb you for any reason. Eliminate distractions. Turn off the TV, your
cell phone and music. Your study material should be the only thing going into your brain.
8. Plan Your Study Session. Determine the purpose of your studying. Are you preparing for a test, a
class discussion or a tutoring session? Decide what’s most important for you to learn. Consult your
study guide or past tests to determine what your teacher is likely to focus on. Should you place
emphasis on vocabulary, on key dates or on being able to critically analyze the material? When
you’re tired, you cannot retain as much information. Choose the most important stuff. Break the
material into manageable parts. Alternate between easy tasks, such as making flash cards, and

2. those that require concentration. Changing it up helps the material seem fresh. Plan to switch
gears regularly to avoid burnout on one particular component.
9. Stay Alert: Keep plenty of water on hand. Staying hydrated keeps your brain and body working at
optimum levels and give you a regular reason to get up and move around. Chew strong-flavored
gum. The regular motion of your jaw and the gum’s flavor keeps you from becoming sleepy too
easily. Move around. Sit at your desk, then move to the floor, then to an armchair or couch. If you
have flashcards, walk around while you go through them. Take a cold shower if you feel yourself
getting too tired. The water helps wake you up and being clean helps you feel refreshed and ready
to start anew.
10. Make a studying plan. When you set aside a specific time to spend studying and build it into your
daily schedule, you’re more likely to actually use that time to prepare for the high school diploma
test. According to KidsHealth, 45 minutes is a good goal because it’s about the maximum amount
of time you’ll be able to give your full attention to the material you’re reviewing.
11. Obtain a high school diploma study guide. These are sold in most bookstores and can also be
purchased online. The guide will include tips for taking the test, but it will also give you an idea of
what kinds of questions will appear on the test. Take practice tests. Most study guides include at
least one practice test, but you can often get more online or from a bookstore. Adhere to the time
limits for each section of the test so you get some practice taking the test within a certain amount
of time. Score your practice test. Take note of what you need more practice with and build that
into your study time. Use the study guide and outside materials, such as the Internet or library
books, to enhance your studying time and build the knowledge you’ll need on the day of the big
test. Invite a few friends that also need to take the test to study with you. Forming a study group
builds your knowledge because you’re working with peers to learn new things and it also allows
you to give and get support.
12. Gather Your Materials
Don’t make the mistake of beginning a study session without the proper supplies. Take the time
to find a blank notebook, some pens, the course syllabus and textbook, and your full class notes.
Organize these materials neatly on a clean work surface, so that you have the freedom and space
to access them when you need to.
13. Find a Quiet Spot
It’s tempting to study with a large group of friends, especially if you’re tackling a particularly hard
subject. And while friends can provide some much-needed support, they’re not always the best
study buddies when you’re pressed for time. If you’re serious about getting the work done, look
for a quiet study spot away from friends, television, and other distractions. If you need to, turn
your phone off, or at least set it to silent so you don’t disturb other people around you. Having
the peace and quiet you need to concentrate is key to studying effectively when you only have
one day. The blank page on your notebook is your invitation to plan your attack. Devise a list of
the topics you need to review and how much time each will require.
The blank page on your notebook is your invitation to plan your attack. Devise a list of the topics
you need to review and how much time each will require.
14. Make a list of important terms, concepts, and ideas.

3. Look for summaries in the textbook. Make more notes as you go. Make use of mind maps, charts,
and graphs. Teach a friend. Review your important terms lists. Study out of order. Take practice
tests. Make a List of Important. Terms/Concepts/Ideas
The first thing you need to realize is that you can’t possibly study everything in the course in one
day. That’s simply impossible and would require way more time than you have. Think of your
study session as a type of “triage,” where you only concentrate on the most important concepts,
terms, and ideas in the course. The logic behind this strategy is that if a concept is very central to
the course, then you will gain peripheral knowledge of other less important topics by focusing on
it.
CONCLUSION
Studying for a little time involves seriousness, dedication and concentration. Limited studying time can
disappoint a student who takes studies casually. Forming a time table and knowing the credit hours for
each subject will motivate you to put more effort while studying. Reviewing prior course materials and
focus on what you know is very important. Studying past questions also help you to know the area of
concentration. Making list of major ideas, terms and concepts used in the study materials is very
paramount which help you to cover up the main parts of the materials.