In the 1973 film The Paper Chase, two law students flee the dormitory toward the end of the movie at the start of final exam week. “Panic has descended,” one of them exclaims, and they check into a local motel, making sure to have the television set removed. Although preparation for the final exam should begin on the first day of the semester, there are many things students can do to maximize their final scores:
- Find a quiet place to study devoid of any distractions
- Turn off cell phones and any other such devices
- Have only the study materials relative to the course being tested
- Set specific study times and stick to the schedule
- Explain to friends and relatives that you are not to be disturbed
- Be out of earshot of any computers, televisions, etc.
While everyone studies differently, these basic tips usually work for most people. Some students may actually do better while listening to music or studying outdoors; others find these environments distracting. On a college campus, the serenity of a library may be a perfect place to study.
Studying to the Exam
Students should determine what material will be covered on the exam or, at the very least, what will be emphasized. Some professors will give study guides, provide brief study itineraries, yet there are always those who, when asked what focus areas to concentrate on, will reply indifferently, “everything!”
If the course included prior exams or quizzes, these may serve as a good indicator of the final exam format. It is definitely helpful to know whether the final exam will be essay, multiple choice, or a variation of both. Students should not be shy or intimidated by politely asking about the exam format. Additionally, it is helpful to know what material will be covered: “will all of the supplemental books and handouts be a part of the final exam?”
Study Groups and Final Exam Preparation
Study groups are an excellent way to discuss key concepts throughout the semester. Stronger members can help weaker ones understand important points. A good study group brings to the table already studied and researched material solely for discussion. Quizzing each other as a form of testing preparation takes away from the focus of a study group: even a dorm mate or friend can quiz terms from note cards or prepared outlines.
For this reason study groups may not play as important a role in final exam preparation. Given the gravity of final exam preparation, study groups can actually be more distractive. This is particularly true when groups meet at coffee houses and cafes or pizza parlors, as they are often fond of doing!
The Night before Taking the Exam
The majority of students view the night before an exam as the last opportunity to “cram.” This “last resort” method may have to be the study technique of choice for students that have not kept up with the material or begun serious final exam preparations much earlier. But for the students that have prepared adequately, cramming is counter-productive.
To be adequately prepared simply means that students feel comfortable with the material and their own abilities to demonstrate that comfort on the actual exam. To maximize this top tier level of competency, students should get a good night sleep before the final exam. Sleep is the healthiest factor in producing alertness and energy. Eating a wholesome but simple breakfast, like oatmeal, just before a morning exam also has a calming effect.
Students often forget that physical well-being is as important when taking an exam as it is during a job interview. Students that crammed, despite the caffeine “fix,” will be sluggish as they strive to over-tax short term memory. Successful exam takers, even those with histories of testing anxiety, will do better if they can walk into the exam room feeling well rested and mentally sure of the material they studied.
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