Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 3: Preparing for the test
• Part 2 of 3: Learning to take notes
• Part 3 of 3: Taking the test
• Tips
• Warnings

An "open book test" is a test where you are allowed to keep the material or textbook that you have studied. At first, this may sound like you just need to look up the answer on the day of the test - and thus a really easy kind of test to take. However, this is not how these types of keys normally work. In fact, these are often quite difficult, as an open book exam or test requires a real understanding of the material and an ability to interpret, think critically and present an organized and well-written answer. But with a little preparation, skills writing, and test strategies, you can pass your next open book test.

To step

Part 1 of 3: Preparing for the test

1. Understand the rationale behind an open book test. Open book tests do not rely on learning and coughing up. Instead, you have the information in front of you, but you have to really understand what is being asked. Open exams or tests are designed to teach students how to absorb and apply information in a thoughtful, in-depth manner. In an open book test, the focus is not on remembering information, but on applying that information. For you, this means that you are not just summarizing material from a textbook. You interpret it within the context of specific questions and situations.
   • During such a test on, say, Shakespeare, you probably won't get a question like, "What is Romeo's last name?". You are more likely to get a question like, "Explain, using quotes, why Romeo's last name contributed to his eventual death."
   • There are generally two types of open book tests: with and without limitations. In a limited test, the material is limited to specific documents, such as certain notes or a single textbook. In an unlimited test there is no limit to what can be brought into the exam room or what material you can consult at home. Make sure you know whether the test is limited or unrestricted before taking the test.
   • Memorizing things is largely unnecessary for an open book test. However, this doesn't mean you don't have to study. This is not the case. The focus shifts to understanding the material rather than simply being able to memorize and recite it. You will not be asked questions such as `` Define X '', but `` Explain how X applies to situation Y '' or `` What are the implications of X for event Y? '' You need to make sure you really understand the material before entering the exam room.
2. Find and mark the most important information in advance. If the test allows you to bring your book, organize your textbook in advance to help you find the most important information quickly and easily.
   • When allowed, highlighters can be a great tool. Highlight key concepts, historical data, equations, and other hard-to-remember material that you may need to draw on for questions. You can then scroll through your book and easily recognize the marked sections during the test.
   • Margin notes can also be a good organizing tool, if allowed. Jotting down teacher comments or short summaries of difficult paragraphs in the margins can help you quickly identify important material.
   • Mark pages. Many people make folds in important pages, but simple folds can easily be missed. Use multi-colored sticky notes designed specifically for marking pages - you can buy these at most bookstores and department stores. You can even match the color to the passages you've highlighted, using different colors to indicate different areas of focus.
   • In the case of a restricted test where no textbook is allowed in the exam room, these strategies still have value. Organizing your book while a course is being taught can help you easily spot important information while studying.
3. Strive to understand the material. Studying for an open book test can be tricky because the skills required are not as easy to test as simple memorization. However, there are tricks you can use to make sure you are prepared for an open book test.
   • Write your own commentary on information. Write your own commentary and insight into your notes, because you are mainly tested for interpretation. Challenge yourself to explain what you think about the material and why. This will help you sharpen your critical thinking skills, which is necessary for an open book test.
   • If your professor has provided model questions, work them out as you study. Open book questions promote a real understanding of the course material, so questioning yourself using model questions is a great way to make sure you are prepared for the test.
   • Collaborate with other students. While study groups are great for any type of test, they can be especially helpful for an open book test. Rather than quiz each other, you can discuss and exchange information from the class. This will help you learn how to apply the information learned.

Part 2 of 3: Learning to take notes

1. Go to all lectures and classes. This should be obvious, but the best way to make sure your notes reflect the material to be tested is to attend all lectures and class periods regularly.
   • Remember, an open book test isn't just about memorizing the material - you strive to truly understand it. Every professor and teacher has a unique area of ​​focus when it comes to covering material to review. You cannot repeat your teacher's preferences just by studying the teaching materials. You must attend the classes.
   • If you don't understand something, write it down. Many people will make a notation such as a big question mark to indicate something you don't understand. Leave a section in your notes to fill out later. Ask other classmates or email your professor if you have trouble understanding a particular concept.
     • It's OK not to fully understand something - a good teacher will be glad you have questions.
     • If you still have a vague understanding of a particular topic, it is good to know that too. If you have a choice of essay questions, it is good to be able to quickly determine which topic you can write about.
   • If your instructor talks quickly, consider recording the lectures - with his or her permission first, of course. Although you may not be able to record in a lecture hall, you can still listen after the lecture to try to understand the material better. Some teachers will record their lectures themselves so that you can listen to the lessons later or catch up.
   • If you have to miss a class due to illness or emergencies, ask a friend or classmate if you can borrow their notes. Ask someone who you know takes good notes and is a committed student, rather than someone who is often not around and who doesn't seem to be really around in class.
2. Organize your notes. You don't want to walk into your test with a pile of papers full of random facts and figures. Organize your notes during lectures and then during the preparation for the test.
   • Use a listing and indentation system for your notes. Many people use Roman numerals, with capital letters for the headings and lowercase letters for the subdivisions (e.g. IV and i.v.).
   • Date all your notes. That way, you can find topics that you struggle with if you remember approximately the time of the school year that the material was covered.
   • Keep your notes separate. Use a folder or notebook to separate the notes from one subject from the other, and use a different notebook for each subject.
   • Write legibly. If you know you have sloppy handwriting, see if you can bring a laptop to class and type your notes. However, this is not always possible. Many teachers ban laptops because students sometimes use them to do things unrelated to class.
   • While you may be tempted to do some doodling during dull moments in class, don't do that as these drawings will distract you later while you're trying to study.
   • Place the material you are struggling with at the beginning of your notes. This way you have quick access to it during the test. You should also include equations, keywords, and dates early on, as this information can be difficult to remember and will likely be prompted on the test.
3. Focus on the important things. We are sometimes tempted to transcribe more or less entire books or entire lectures as we prepare for open book tests. However, this method is not only incredibly time consuming, but also ineffective. You will eventually have to flip through pages and pages of notes, which will be a race against time during each test.
   • Pay attention to where most of the attention goes during lectures. If something is written, repeated or discussed in detail on the board, it will likely appear in the test. Include these topics in your test notes.
   • Pay close attention at the end of each lecture. Often times, your teacher will provide a short closing statement summarizing the key takeaways from that day's class.
   • Compare notes with classmates.If certain topics overlap, these are likely important areas to focus on your test notes. You can also see what important things you may have missed.

Part 3 of 3: Taking the test

1. Stay calm. Exam fear can affect your performance, so make sure you know good strategies for controlling your nerves in the exam room.
   • Stop studying an hour before the test and use this time to focus on yourself. Go for a walk or eat something light. If you start worrying about the material right before a test, you will likely exhaust yourself psychologically.
   • Know where and at what time to be there and give yourself extra time to get there. Getting lost or running late can increase anxiety and affect performance.
   • Get a good night's sleep before the test. Anything that affects you physically can affect you mentally, so make sure you are rested and refreshed before entering the exam room.
   • If you start to get nervous during the test, stop for a moment. Although your time is limited, wading through a test against your anxiety will lead to poor performance. Don't hesitate to stop, close your eyes and take a few deep breaths to calm down before continuing.
2. Use test-taking strategies. There are several strategies you can use to make the most of your time during the test and improve your chances of getting a good grade.
   • An open book test will likely be timed. Be aware of how much time you have and take a moment to calculate approximately how long you can spend on each question.
   • Answer any questions you can ask without your notes. This saves you time because you have already had certain questions without having to consult your notes. This also gives you more time for the questions that you may be struggling with and for which you do need your notes.
   • If you are really struggling with a question, treat it as you would any other test. When you have had time to calm down and think about it, leave the question for what it is and look at it again at the end of the test.
3. If you have enough time, review your answers. If you still have time at the end of the test, review the questions using your notes.
   • Review all of the questions in the test and check items that contain information that can be easily confused, such as dates, names, vocabulary, and equations.
   • Pay attention to questions whose answers you don't like, and try to improve them in the remaining time.

Tips

• Even if you are not allowed to have books with the test, it is wise to make an annotation sheet. You don't have to use it on the test, but it's a great study guide.
• If you have any questions or concerns about what you can and cannot bring to the exam room, don't hesitate to contact your teacher or professor and ask ahead.

Warnings

• Do not write too many notes, as this can make it difficult to find information during the test.
• You may not just copy information verbatim from (study) books and pretend it is your own - this is plagiarism and can lead to you failing the test or even the course, and disciplinary measures or punishments being imposed.