What can I do to get better test results?

Question

I'm in 8th grade, and approaching High School. That's when your grades really matter, and I don't want to fail high school leaving that school like a total idiot! What do you do when you study? What can I do to be "stress free?"
The subjects I take and need help are American History, Spanish 1, Physical Science, and English 8. I wanted to do hard work, and earn an A! Thanks!

Answer 1

All testing requires preparation. The question is not whether to prepare, but how. And to answer that, you need to know what kind of test, and how you'll do best at it.

Here are some more specific ways to approach this.
- Some test questions measure skills, so for these you should practice the skill. Writing about a book you read is a skill, just as much as solving an algebraic equation is. Practice both, even though you won't know ahead of time exactly what the questions will be.
- Some test questions focus on knowledge. Have a friend or family member quiz you on the knowledge. This works for vocabulary, new math or science formulas, and social studies data. Use the quizzing to identify your weak points, and attack them ruthlessly.
- Flash cards help with memory. I learned basic conversation and strong reading skills in a language in seven months largely through flash cards and sheer determination. I was exhausted by the pace, but it let me know how effective the technique is. List one fact per card, and a question or translation on the back. Review the cards, then quiz yourself. Stack your "done" questions and your "to do" questions separately, and keep going through all the "to dos" until they're all done. (Then the next day, you start over again... sorry.)

Multiple choice tests often reveal the answers to those who know how to look. The SAT is pretty easy to treat this way, but you're not there, yet, so don't worry. For other multiple choice tests, take into account who wrote them. You teacher may be repeating phrases he or she used in class, so taking and reviewing class notes would have prepared you, and remembering your teacher's big messages (not all the details, necessarily) can point you to the right answer.

Often on state standardized tests there are "outlier" answers. These are really bad answers that help the states analyze the test results. Look for that one first, and mark it wrong in the test book if that's allowed, then look for less-wrong answers.

Less-wrong answers seem OK until you look at all the little parts separately. It could be a switched sign in math, the wrong country in a war for history, or something like that. Cross out those less-wrong answers.

Some questions are there to trick you, for example playing off what people think you think. Watch out for oversimplifications - words like "all" and "never" can cue this. Oversimplifications are often wrong - even when you think they ought to be right.

Last, get a good sleep each night for a few days before the test. Staying up late, which I do all the time, but I'm older so who cares, can really hurt your academic performance.

Best of luck to you. Not that luck is a factor.

Answer 2

What worked for me was not only to do my homework and assignments but to also study ahead of where the class is at. That way it gave me familiarity with that subject matter and made my comprehension better. Also, I never believed in cramming. I always tried to put myself in a position that I knew the material far ahead of any major tests. In that way I could just relax or go to a movie the night before and be totally refreshed come the day of the test. Good luck to you in your studies.

Answer 3

I began top college 2 years in the past at a public college (I'm now at a individual college) and I realised for the duration of my transition that the schooling on the public college used to be 3 years at the back of the individual college. Also, wherein I come from, each pupil in Grade three,five,7 and nine has to do a scan (country wide scan), and there's a internet site that reveals the normal for all the faculties, and the outcome exhibit that public college outcome are diminish than individual college outcome.

Answer 4

Ok let me tell you the secret dude. I'm in 10th grade. Freshman year I had a 3.8 GPA (1 honors classs) and i didnt apply myself..Just do your Homework and pay attention in class..I never studied any 1 subject for more than 15 minutes a night..If you take honors classes though you should study for those.