Summer Exam Prep: Never too early

Today’s a very hot day - a day wherein a good movie or book and an ice-cold drink while seating on a nice, comfy couch would certainly make everything perfect. It would be very nice to have such a day as if there’s nothing I need to worry about.

That’s my kind of a summer vacation.

Unfortunately…

What is the value of (3x +8y) – 2z if x = 12, y = 3 and z =6?

Like any normal student, I had looked forward to a two-month long vacation to just chill away for a while, from school, tedious home works, pop quizzes and all the academic stuff. Apparently, when you’re an incoming college freshman you feel like time is in your hands during the summer season. But for incoming high school seniors, summer season meant preparation for the series of entrance examinations plus the National Career Assessment Exams that will all be administered during the course of their senior year.

Of course, I’ve been there and done that. In turn, I want to help YOU (Yes, you) through the course of your preparation. This entry is not only for high school seniors but also for every high school student. International school students and those who are planning to study abroad have to prepare for their SAT Subject Exams and/or the International Baccalaureate exams. Even those graduates who are to take their licensure exams might also find this article useful.

Really, if you have money, just spend it on a quality review class package as they have the nearest idea on what might come up on the exams so no need for you to waste time on the hassle of what to study. But if you just want to self-study, I’m not stopping you.

The following article is first printed in the Sapientia et Virtus (Official Student Publication of SSA Upper School Department) Vol. 17, No. 2 , page 8 which was released last March 2008.

Hope it helps!
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Strength in Numbers
By Ia Marie Donna B. Cruz

Tick-tock. Tick-tock.

As the time swiftly flutters, only the rapid scratching and tapping of pencils can be heard amidst the silence during standardized testing sessions, may it be the emotional quotient examination or the National Career Assessment Exams.
Standardized test are used as a basis of measurement of an individual’s capability in a specific dimension of learning or skill. More often than not, students are very anxious towards standardized testing that such fear deprives them the capacity to perform their best during the said exams.
Enough of the sweaty palms and pencil-biting. Certainly, there are a number of ways to beat that test-taking panic and attain that 99+ percentile you are aiming!

Know thy enemy. To conquer a test, one should be prepared with what to expect in the exam. From the subject areas to the point-system employed, a well-informed test-taker should know the specifics of the said exam he is to take. This is a simple but a very effective step towards tests so that you won’t be surprised or sanctioned if, for example, you brought a calculator when it is not allowed during the testing administration.

Perfection cannot be rushed. It is NEVER too early to open your biology or algebra books and review the concepts you might have forgotten through the course of education. There are hundreds of thousands of possible questions which can be asked. If you “plan” to review your whole year equivalent of geometry lessons one week before your test day, there is a less chance that you retain what you have read. A month before your exam, take at least an hour daily to rehash your knowledge on the subject areas you are to deal with. Your brain absorbs information better when it is not stressed by the rush which is a key in avoiding information overload and mental block on the exam day.

Practice makes 99 plus. There are a lot of available written resources with practice tests patterned from the actual test. A pre-test experience gives you more of an insight of what to expect during the test day like how to pace your time, possible types of questions and the areas you need to improve.

The pencil is mightier than the sword. Most standardized tests only allow the use of pencil in coding of answers on the answer sheets. A day before the test, see to it that you have all the materials you are to need during your exam – sharpened pencils, working pencil sharpener, good eraser, test permit, calculator (if you are allowed to use it) and some snacks especially when the examination will take a number of hours.

An apple a day keeps panic away. Hours before your scheduled test, be sure to eat a filling meal. As much as possible, distractions are avoided to ensure that you are given the opportunity to perform your maximum. Testing with an empty stomach is equal to disruption. Worrying about the rumbles of your stomach while going through the tests will certainly affect your results negatively.

The early bird catches the worm. Arrive at the test center on time. There might be instructions to be given by the proctors regarding the exams before the start of the test administration. Being late does not only risk you to make mistakes in the course of the test but it also jeopardizes the outcome of your results. This principle also applies in submitting your test paper when the time is called.

It’s all in your head. Confidence (not overconfidence) is your best friend during testing. Being confident with what you have reviewed and practiced before the exam boosts your performance psychologically.

Don’t forget the “R”. Read. Before answering, read the directions, the restrictions and other pieces of information you may need to know in order to answer the questions. Students are often victims of their negligence of the instructions that costs them their scores.

Time is gold. While testing, remember to pace your self according to the time limit set. Though it seems impossible to finish a 25 item test in 10 minutes, it can be accomplished. Speed reading is a great skill to employ wherein you save time in understanding questions without losing accuracy. If such skill is not applicable to you, answer questions you are certain that you can answer correctly.

Aim then shoot. Guess intelligently. If you find your self stuck on a test item, read the answer choices. Eliminating half of the number of the choices increases your chance of getting the correct answer by 50 percent.

Breathe. Breathe – it helps calm the mind to perform better.

Look up. God, Allah, Yahweh, Buddha, Energy – whatever you call Him, don’t forget to ask for His guidance. Trust me, it works.

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Sweetness,
Allyne

P.S. The answer for the equation above is 48. Check it. ;)

P.P.S.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 3.0 Philippines License.