How to Get a 100% on a Test

Studying for the Test

Pay attention and take good notes in class. Participate during the lesson and make sure that you understand the material. Take good notes so you can refer back to them when you are studying and do all of your assigned homework. If there’s something in the lesson that you don’t understand, ask your teacher about it! Be sure to keep all of your homework assignments, pop quizzes, handouts, daily notes, and classwork so you can study them. Try to avoid missing any classes, especially in the days leading up to the test.

Start studying the first day you get assigned work. Ideally, you should start studying as your class works through the material rather than planning a few study sessions right before a big test. For example, you can review your notes immediately after class or before you do your homework each evening. Check out the planned exam date on the syllabus and start studying as soon as possible. Give yourself at least a couple of weeks to prepare.

Spend at least 30 minutes studying each day. To retain the most information, it’s best to study for at least 20-30 minutes every day in the weeks leading up to the test. Set aside a 30-minute block of time every day to review your notes, go over your flash cards, read new chapters, and work on practice tests. Short bursts of intense studying are more effective than super long study sessions. Try to avoid going over 45 minutes without taking a break. Try rewriting your class notes each day to commit them to memory.

Ask your teacher for study materials and information about the test. Have your teacher confirm which chapters will be covered on the test, what the major topics are, and what format the test will be in. You should also ask if there are any study guides or practice tests that you can use to prepare for the test. Teachers want you to do well and they will happily provide this information! For example, ask your teacher if the test will have multiple-choice, short answer, or essay questions so that you know what to expect. Attend any review sessions that your teacher provides. Find out if there are any extra credit assignments that you can do.

Create your own study aids in addition to provided materials. Flashcards are very helpful study tools, especially if you need to memorize vocabulary, concepts, names, or specific dates. Spend some time making your flashcards and review them every day until you’ve memorized every answer correctly. You can also make your own practice tests or have a friend quiz you. If you don’t want to make handwritten flashcards, check out free flashcard apps on your phone. Try multiple study methods to find one that works for you. For example, try mind maps, flashcards, summarizing notes, or a combination of these strategies.

Tailor your study strategies to the subject matter and test type. If you're studying for a test that requires memorization, like history or science, use flashcards and review keywords. For math, it's more important to understand the technique so you can solve any problem that requires it. Work through the practice problems in your text and be sure to do every homework assignment. Focus on concepts, ideas, and underlying themes for literature and essay exams. Be able to explain them in your own words if you'll be answering essay questions. Focus on keywords and concise responses for short answer and multiple-choice test questions. For essay questions, be sure you understand and can clearly explain larger concepts.

Study with a friend or study group to hold each other accountable. Studying with a friend or in a group can help you stay on task. It’s also more fun! Choose a few days a week to study with other people. You can quiz each other, get help with anything that you don’t understand, share study materials, and motivate each other to ace the test. If your study partners aren't taking the study sessions seriously, you might be better off studying by yourself.

Taking the Test Successfully

Get a good sleep the night before the test. You want to be refreshed and ready to take the test the next day so be sure to get a full night of sleep. Don’t stay up late studying or make yourself anxious. Review your study materials like you normally would and hit the sack at a decent time.

Review your study materials before class starts. Bring all of your study materials with you on the day of the test. Review your materials at lunch, in between classes, and during any free time that you have. Don't cram or make yourself anxious, though! Calmly review the materials and be sure to revisit any topics that have tripped you up in the past. Go through your flashcards a few times before you take the test so that everything is fresh in your mind.

Stay calm before the test. Meditate, take a few deep breaths from your diaphragm, and think positive thoughts before you walk into the classroom. Remind yourself that you’ve studied hard and you’re totally prepared for the test. Visualize yourself acing this exam. You can do it! Be sure to go to the bathroom before the test starts so you don't have to go during the test. It's perfectly normal to experience anxiety before a test! Try to avoid fixating on your fear and focus on the task at hand.

Skim through the entire test before you start writing in answers. As soon as your teacher hands you the test, take a few minutes to quickly look over the entire thing. Read through the instructions carefully once or twice. Once you know exactly what you’re dealing with, you’ll be able to pace yourself properly. If there are any instructions you don’t understand, raise your hand and ask your teacher to explain them.

Circle or underline keywords as you read through the questions. Read all of the questions once or twice before you start answering anything. Look for keywords in each question and circle, underline, or highlight them. For example, a set of multiple-choice questions may include important keywords like "all," "always," "never," "none," "few," "many," "some," and "sometimes." Watch for crucial instructions like "mark all of the correct answers" and "choose the answer which is least likely to." You can also jot down any notes that come to mind in the margins if that's permitted.

Answer the easiest questions first. Go ahead and get the easy questions out of the way. Don’t get bogged down on a question that you can’t figure out since you might lose valuable test time that way. After you finish the easy stuff, come back to the harder questions and work on those. For example, if your test has a multiple-choice section and an essay question, get the multiple-choice questions out of the way first. Then, focus on the essay questions. Do the easiest essay question first and work up to the harder ones.

Go back over all of your answers before you turn in your test. Double-check that you didn’t miss any questions or pages. Be sure to check on the backside of each page! Reread each question and your answer to check for any errors. Be thorough and careful. Once you’re sure everything looks good, turn the test in and give yourself a pat on the back!