how do you stay focused on a test?
919601
Dark_phoenix is absolutely right. Think of the test as a game. As long as you know the rules (how the test will be scored) and you've "played" before (by learning the material and practicing the problems) you will score the points. Consider also:\n--stretching every 15-20 minutes to restore optimal blood flow\n--sitting back and taking a few deep breaths every 5-10 questions to re-gain focus\n--keeping well-hydrated to maintain peak performance\n\nabove all, remember that if you do the work, you will succeed. Consider attending a free "test taking strategies" workshop at your local Kaplan center for more anxiety-reducing tips.\nGood luck!
972075
Repetition, recitation and write waht you think is important. Most importantly though is to take a ten minute break every thirty minutes. (your brain can only absorb so much new information in a given amount of time) Don't do anything just sit there. What you want is for what you are studying to take hold in your long term memory. If you watch TV or talk to someone the new stimuli will push out the old stimuli (what you've been studying), and come tommorrow you will remember more of what you watched on TV and talked about.
567683
Concentrating and Reading\n\nIt is often difficult to concentrate during your studies. Here are some techniques that many students have found helpful. \nAsking Yourself Questions \nGetting the Most from Your Reading \nRead the Ideas \nAsking Yourself Questions\nThe key to maintaining focus is to stop periodically and ask yourself questions, such as \nHow does this relate to what I already know? \nIf this is true, what else follows? \nWhat else could these facts mean? \nWhat assumptions are being made? \nWhat's the evidence for this? \nCan I think of a good example of this? \nWhat are the unique points of this? \nGetting the Most from Your Reading\nCheck off (with a light pencil mark) each paragraph that you completely understand. If you start to get lost in the reading, you will know exactly where: just after the last check! \nIf a section is too difficult for you, try reading in a whisper. Hearing what we read is like reading it a second time. \nSimilarly, it is good to stop regularly and summarize out loud what you have just read. \nTry to link new information with the information you already know. Ask yourself, ``How do I already know this?'' You can also ask yourself questions such as the focus questions above. Active linking creates powerful memories. \nTake a few seconds to visualize what you have just read. \nDon't forget to jot down key words and concepts. If you read, `rite, and recite (``3R''), you've got a better chance of retaining crucial information. \nAfter taking a short break from studying, and before you start up again, take a few minutes to review the information you have just learned. This will give you a sense of progress and motivate you to continue on. \nRead the Ideas\nWhen you are reading \nStop at the end of each \nParagraph \nPage \nMain Section \nClose your book \nRecall the ideas from memory \nRecite the ideas out loud in your own words \n\n--------------------------------------------------------------------------------\n\naugustine@columbia.edu\nLast update: February 4, 1996
661881
Just study mainly the tests you took\n(hopefully you kept them, if not..just use the book)\nstudy some every day\nbut not too much..you don't want to stress yourself\nand it's good that they're in Octber because you've got alot of time!!\nGood Luck!
633360
just study, study, and study. write up some notecards to make into flash cards, and keep referring to it. \nps, why did you wait so long to study? last minute studying doesn't normally work. you need repetitiveness to make it count on tests.
304656
U must alays study with a clear mind and in an environment u can focus. Some people like to have a little soft music on the side to calm them down while others like total silence, u just choose what u prefer. Read as much as u can in 30-45mins and take a 5-10min break at all times, this helps so u dont lose yo concentration. To remember key points u must always have acronyms which are letters which represent a poi eg B- Be organised.
303807
Use the PRTR method: Preview. Read. Think. Review.\n\nPreview the text by nothing subheadings, bold faced words and maybe making up some questions you to answer as you read.\n\nRead the text carefully, highlighting and making notes as you go along.\n\nGo do something else for an hour but don't watch TV or go on the computer. You will end up thinking about what you read and putting it in your own words.\n\nReview your highlighting, notes and answered questions the day you read the chapter, before a lecture and before a test.
669644
Here's what you do.  This is exactly what you have to do, so pay close attention:\n\n1) Figure out every possible thing that might be on the exam.  \n\n2) Figure out the exact way the questions are going to be asked.\n\n3) Figure out what the A students and grad students are focusing on.\n\nThen, of course, get the answers.  Make sure you can remember them.\n\nIf you don't know these things like they're second nature, you're not ready for an exam.  If you need help, get it.\n\nStressing out and cramming might help a little, but you're much better off using your head.
464264
usually what I do is go through the main points of each chapter as well as key words and write them down as questions on note cards.  Then have the answer on the other side.  Go through all the cards twice.  Then re-read all of those key words and their definitions as well as the key points in context, to myself, then out loud.  It not only stimulates your brain's listening but its vision as well. Then when you see that word or phrase a little light goes off in your head that you remember that and it all comes back to you.  Thats usually how I ace all my tests. Good Luck!
417368
Concentration Techniques\n\n1. Jot down things that are on your mind before you study, then set this list to the side. Add to it anything that distracts you as you are studying. Take care of the list later.\n\n2. Study at the same time each day. A regular schedule can help you frame this as “study time”.\n\n3. Set a timer for an hour, don't allow yourself to stop studying until it goes off.\n\n4. Take breaks. A three minute break for every 30 minutes of study is a good guideline. Take a longer break after 90 minutes.\n\n5. Set goals for your session that are realistic (number of problems to solve, pages to read, etc.) When you have met one of your study goals, reward yourself with a short break. Then, return to your study area.\n\n6. Study in an area away from distractions such as a library, study lounge, or an empty classroom.\n\n7. Make sure you have everything that you need before you begin.\n\n8. Make sure your environment is conducive to studying, no TV, no telephone, no roommate, no boyfriend/girlfriend.\n\n9. Make studying an active process; take notes and make review sheets. Intersperse different kinds of study into one session, e.g. reading, writing, taking notes, memorizing, etc.\n\n10. Identify how what you are studying is relevant to your life. Draw connections between things you already know.\n\n11. Insure that you are sleeping enough, eating well, and getting regular exercise. Your mind will be more alert, and you will be less likely to fall asleep or daydream.\n\nGOOD LUCK !!!
1160832
go over anything you are most unsure of first.\nwrite out your notes again and reread as many times as you can.\nif you need to know diagrams, practice drawing and labelling them without your books.\ntake a break for ten minutes every hour to let your mind relax.\nsleep when you are tired as overdoing it will not work, you'll be too tired to think in your exam.\ni did this two weeks ago and it worked really well, exam went like a dream!! \nbest of luck, take it in your stride, repeat to yourself "i can do this" positive mental attitude.
275091
Speaking from experience, you just need to relax. I have a problem with test anxiety as well, and my brother, who is a very intelligent man told me to study, but don't wear myself out doing it. When you get tired, put the books down, and do something else. Take your mind off from it for a while, and when you get back to it, you will be able to understand it better. When you put your mind on overload, things get scrambled! Good luck! I hope you do well!
182991
Sounds like you have to ask yourself a bunch of quesitons about what's going on. Talk to the instructor and see if they have any thoughts on why you're struggling so much. \n\nI always did well on tests because I was calm. Make sure you get plenty of rest and eat a good breakfast or lunch before you take the test. When you study, try listening to music and then when the test comes to a point, try and recall the song you were listening to. Sometimes this gives you a new thought road to the answer.
856144
Well \n1st look at the bright side, \nAll A's and B's\n\nYour tests and quizes need to improve!!!\nHere are some study tips and class tips. \n1. Make flashcards and quiz yourself\n2. Go into a room with NO distractions including; phone, t.v., computer, and other things. \n3. Do not turn on music it takes your mind off the topic\n4. Make yourself a self test, then quiz yourself\n5. Re-read the material\n6. Calm down, believe in yourself, and you can do it\nHere are some in-clas tips\nTAKE NOTES 4 your quizzes these are important!\nAlso, try and get your assignments DONE these are also important. Just keep working. \nIf you find yourself going to the computer only for games, step away and just THINK about what you are going to do. \nGood Luck\n\nRemember Completion is everything esspecially in science! IN science PLEASE TRY AND NOT GET A D in Assignments!!!\nJust study hard, and try better and you can do it. Ok. Here is the first step...\nGet off the computer and do your work! If your done, plan ahead.
88984
If you believe the studies - your brain cannot remain focused for longer than 40 minutes at a time, needing a serious change in pace already after 20 minutes. So- take a break every 40 minutes and change your approach. Switch between reading for 20 minutes to memorizing, to creating little rhymes that help you memorize, to writing, etc. Change your approach every 20 minutes. Change your subject every 40 minutes
309006
You should try 'active study' methods.\nMake short notes and summaries as you read. This works for all subjects.\nRemember that you can only concentrate fully for between 30 and 40 minutes at a time and that the most productive time is the second hour of study.
911406
I usually start studying for tests about 4 or 5 days in advance.  Take 1 or 2 hours each day before the test and go over 1 chapter per hour.  I usually get a notebook and jot down important things I see in the chapter.  Then I read the chapter summaries several times.  I then go back through my notes and go over them several times.  Then I take a 20-30 minute break.  Humans can only pay attention for about 45-50 minutes at a time.  Be sure not to study non stop, or you won't absorb material.  Take breaks.