As the end of the year approaches, students may find themselves overwhelmed and flustered. The end of the year comes with finals, Keystones, SATs, and other tests that may be the source of stress for students. In addition to testing, the end of the year also tends to have an effect on people’s attitudes. When the weather gets warmer, students tend to slack off because they are ready for summer. The goal for this article is to establish a guide that endows test taking skills, and ways to go about test taking for students.

Exams like these contain different sections such as multiple choice, essay, true/false, open-response, and various other types of questions.

Junior Devon Lignore says, “I struggle with true/false the most, they are the most difficult to me because typically, there is always just one word that could make the statement false or true.”

For every test, there is time to prepare. What a student does with his or her time prior to the test is what will show throughout the test. To ensure preparation, students could break down reading assignments in two/three parts each week, allow time for daily review, create term and definition cards as a memory aid, make some time for study groups, and also create test questions using notes and other given sources.

Senior Austin Carilo states, “Prior to a test, I look over homework, and review the different subjects discussed in the class.”

Junior Brenna Gutwein states, “Prior to end of the year tests and finals, I look at and study the review packets teachers give to prepare. The end of the year reviews are important because they are accumulative and sometimes I forget what was taught at the beginning of the year.”

Many students fail multiple-choice exams because their expectations are that the questions will be easily recognized. Some tips and tricks for solving multiple choice problems are reading the questions thoroughly, read each possible answer, evaluate the answer choices, underline negative or affirmative words- this usually signifies that the answer must be a specific fact rather than a general statement.

For essay exams, carefully read the question, break the question into parts so you know what you need to answer, note what type of question is being asked- compare and contrast, or analyze and comment. Students should take time to create an outline on the answer sheet, follow the outline and begin the essay.

Some test-takers experience some level of anxiety that interferes with test performance. Test anxiety is defined in physiological terms: sweaty palms, going blank, and stomach butterflies.

Junior Nyiah Smith explains, “Sometimes I feel queasy, my hands get clammy, my legs shake, I get really nervous, especially for a test I know is going to be difficult or a test I didn’t fully prepare myself for.”

There are ways to reduce test anxiety. Students should reassess their study skills and develop ways to improve their weaker skills to ensure successful test taking. Students should keep in mind that the more time you give yourself to prepare and learn, the more confident you will feel the day of your exam. While taking the exam, students that experience test anxiety should remember their test taking strategies, stay positive, and remind yourself that some anxiety is normal and that you know the material.

The day of the exam is one of the most important days. All of the time you spent studying and preparing, will pay off. Everything you do prior to your exam matters. The morning of, test-takers should be sure to eat well balanced meals. Do not eat greasy food or drink caffeinated drinks because they will upset your stomach. Test-takers should stay related and keep hydrated. When taking an exam, students should get to class a few minutes early so that you and settle and not feel rushed. Time management is very important. If allowed, look through the entire test. How many multiple choice, short answer and essays are there on the exam? It is wise to answer the multiple choice questions first because questions hold varied information that may answer the fill in and/or give examples for the essay?

Junior Mackenzie Rosenberger says, “I always eat a good breakfast, and I try my best to keep myself calm.”

All in all, exams are imperative, every student has to come to terms with taking them. Preparing for exams are necessary, and keeping calm prior to and during is important.