Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 3: Prepare to study
• Method 2 of 3: Take notes and study
• Method 3 of 3: Read and study your textbook
• Warnings

Science subjects can be very challenging for many students. Tests and exams often assume a broad knowledge of vocabulary, applications and assignments. Such tests sometimes have a practical component, such as practicals or analysis. While the teaching materials may vary from subject to subject, there are some helpful pointers for studying for a beta test.

To step

Method 1 of 3: Prepare to study

1. Get to know the layout of the test and the material of the test. This is the best place to start because you don't want to waste time studying material that you will not be tested on.
   • This will help you frame your studies so that you can collect all relevant reading materials, notes, worksheets and labs.
   • This will also help you decide how much time you need to study for the test.
   • Knowing the layout of the test provides insight into the best methods to study for a test. For example, if the test is a lab, then you know you need to spend time on the labs to make sure you understand the material.
   • If it is a written exam, it can mainly be about vocabulary, processes and issues, so you have to spend time on that.
2. Provide a specific place to study. The place where you will be studying should be quiet and free from distractions.
   • Your study area should have good lighting, ventilation, a comfortable seat (but not too comfortable), and an area large enough to spread out your materials. This space can be at your desk or at the kitchen table - wherever it's quiet and comfortable, but also not too comfortable (because you don't want to doze off).
   • Avoid places that are distracting. Your study place must be free of telephone, stereo or television, and of friends / roommates.
3. Set a specific time to study. Do this by breaking your work down into small goals.
   • Try to study in hourly intervals with short breaks in between.
   • The average person can concentrate for about 45 minutes at a time, so spend that time preparing for your test and the last 15 minutes of the hour reviewing what you just studied.
4. Make sure you are well rested. You will remember your material better if you have had enough sleep.
   • Seven to eight hours of sleep per night is ideal for adults.
   • While it's tempting to stomp for an exam or spend an entire night studying, if you manage your time properly and get plenty of rest, you'll remember information more efficiently.
   • Go to bed around the same time and get up around the same time, and stick to that.

Method 2 of 3: Take notes and study

1. Use the Cornell system when taking notes. This is a method of taking notes from a "once is enough" thought.
   • Use a large folder. Only write on one side of the paper so that you can spread your notes out like a card later.
   • Draw a line 6 cm from the left margin. This column becomes the repeat column, where you can add terms and comments to study.
   • During class or lectures, take notes on common ideas, skip lines to distinguish concepts from one another, and use abbreviations to save time - and write legibly.
   • After each class or lecture, review your notes and use the repeat column to jot down ideas and keywords that are easy for you to remember. You can use it as a study guide while you are studying.
2. Think about what questions your teacher might ask you. Teachers usually emphasize many of the things they have discussed in class, and these things are usually asked in tests.
   • Pay attention to the major topics covered in class.
   • If your teacher has provided a study guide, you should review notes on each of the topics in the guide.
   • Consider what kinds of questions were raised in the previous tests. What kinds of issues, essays or comprehension questions have been asked?
3. Use your repeat column or sub-notes to study. These help you remember important concepts and keywords.
   • Start with materials that you want to learn most thoroughly.
   • Start with bigger general ideas and narrow them down to more detailed aspects.
   • As you review it, look for missing knowledge in your notes or any questions you may have. Discuss these with your teacher well before the test.
4. Use your notes to create a flow chart or draft outline. These can help indicate the direction of a series of steps or related concepts.
   • Sometimes it helps to organize your ideas visually.
   • For questions where you need to outline a process, a flowchart is a good tool.
   • If you think you might be asked to compare / contrast, a Venn diagram can help you outline the similarities and differences between two concepts.
5. Emphasize all important concepts. If you are taking a test in a science subject, you must know the meaning of scientific terminology.
   • Make flash cards to help you memorize concepts.
   • Have a science dictionary ready to look up words you don't remember and don't have in your notes.
   • You can study vocabulary using your flash cards or notes if you have 15 minutes to spare. A good time to study these is, for example, when you are in the doctor's waiting room or waiting for the bus.
6. Consider applications of the material. Relate what you learn to everyday life and what you already know.
   • Natural science courses are often very practical and have many practical applications.
   • Making such connections makes the material relevant to you and easier to recall.
   • This can be a very personal way for you to remember teaching materials, if you can relate the topic to your own personal interests.

Method 3 of 3: Read and study your textbook

1. Read your textbook or articles using the scan method. This allows you to quickly assess what is in the chapter or article and which information is most important.
   • Read the title first to prepare your mind for the topic.
   • Read the introduction or summary. Focus on the author's statement of the main points.
   • Make a note of each bold title and subdivision. These help you to divide the information into important sub-topics.
   • Pay attention to any graphs. These should not be overlooked. Often times, images or charts can be taken over for your notes, as useful tools for retrieving information.
   • Pay attention to reading aids. These are bold letters, italics, and questions at the end of the chapter. These show which points are highlighted in the chapter and can help you recognize keywords and keywords.
2. Make reading questions. Convert the bold heading of each section of a chapter into as many questions as you think will be covered in that section.
   • The better you ask, the better your understanding of the material will be.
   • When your mind is actively seeking answers to your questions, you will better understand and remember the information you read.
3. Read each paragraph carefully. As you go, keep your questions in mind.
   • Find the answers to your questions in the text and write your answers in a notebook.
   • If you notice that your questions have not been answered, create new questions and reread the paragraph.
4. Stop and remember your questions and answers. You should do this after each time you finish rereading part of a chapter in your textbook.
   • Repeating concepts, ideas and answers to your own questions increases your understanding of the material.
   • See if you can answer the questions you have created by heart. If not, return to the text. Repeat this until you can recall the answers to your questions.
5. Watch the chapter again. See if you can answer all the questions you have asked about the chapter.
   • If you can't remember all the answers to your questions, go back and find the answers and review that paragraph.
   • Review your questions at the end of a chapter for reinforcement.
6. Do any practice problems listed in your book chapters. You may be given practical mathematical or scientific assignments on the test.
   • Textbooks often provide very good practice assignments to work through. The answers are often in the back, sometimes even with elaborations, so you can check your answers.
   • Chances are, if you have detailed exercises and answers in your textbook, you will likely encounter similar questions on your test.
   • Compare the problems with the problems your teacher has given on worksheets or in notes. Check for differences in the way problems are worded or written between your textbook and other materials.
7. Underline or circle important words. You may need to know the key terms for your test.
   • Create flash cards with scientific words and definitions. You can practice this if you have nothing to do for 15 minutes.
   • Make sure your textbook and notes match the correct definition of terms.
   • If you don't understand a term, ask your teacher for an explanation.

Warnings

• Don't cheat! You will be in serious trouble and get a bad grade.
• Don't block. Study from the first day the class starts, or even do some reading in it forward for the first day of class.
• You don't have to be nervous! This will only increase the chances of getting a bad grade because you are more focused on fear than the test and you won't get anything done as a result!
• Don't keep studying the same thing over and over. Make sure you spend time on everything that may be covered on the test.
• Make it a habit to review your notes each day after class, do your reading ahead of time, and reread your textbook to help identify any confusing parts.
• If you don't understand something, ask your teacher for an explanation.