The first exam of the semester can be intimidating. Every professor has his or her own format and question style, making it hard to know what to expect. We’re here to help you prepare and show up to your exam feeling confident. Keep reading!
Talk to your professor. Stop by office hours or linger for a bit after class. Ask if he or she can clarify any formatting inquiries, provide sample questions, or elaborate on any material that you find unclear. Your professor is one of your best resources, so don’t hesitate to ask questions!
Pool your resources. Don’t rely on a few slides for an entire exam. Cross reference what you have in your notes with what is in the textbook. Make sure you thoroughly understand each subject so that, no matter how the question is asked, you’ll be ready. If a professor stresses a certain area, make sure to cover that an extra time.
Talk to your classmates or other students who have taken the class before. Talk to other students to see if they can shed some light on what to expect. (I am NOT – absolutely NOT – saying to ask for the answers. Not only is that cheating, you won’t learn a thing.)
Take it as a learning experience. Now that you have the first test under your belt, you’ll be more familiar with the next one. Determine which areas need improvement. Did the professor use material mostly from the book or from class notes? Was it a mix of the two? Keep this in mind for the next exam.
How do you prepare for the first test or quiz of the semester? Post a comment and share your advice!
