Collect exam information
- Identify the content that the exam is likely to cover by reviewing the course outline, CourseLink, and textbook chapters for summaries of course content.
- Identify the type of knowledge that you will need to demonstrate in the exam. Will the exam emphasize factual details, conceptual understanding, or a combination? Analyze the course outline, review previous tests and quizzes, and use your course notes to make predictions.
- Read Succeed at Exams: Start Here for additional suggestions.
Choose proven study techniques
- Questions may use different vocabulary or examples than those from class or the textbook. Make sure you understand the concept and can recognize it when presented in a different way.
- Pay attention to concepts or terminology that can be easily confused. Your professor will know this and will likely test to see if you can differentiate between similar concepts. Study techniques like matrix charts can help you compare and contrast concepts.
- Go beyond re-reading your notes when you study. Use active study methods to help you deepen your understanding and retain knowledge. See Effective Studying for suggestions on taking notes, creating concept maps, and more.
- Review Study for Exams for details on implementing two study techniques: practice tests and distributive studying.
Prepare for online exams
- Will your exam be monitored through Respondus lockdown browser or some other means?
- Is your exam timed or untimed?
- Do you have a quiet place to complete the exam?
- Do you have adequate wifi?
- If the exam is using Respondus with webcam, does your testing environment follow the requirements outlined in CourseLink or in Respondus?
- Is your testing environment free of potential distractors like phones, pets, and clutter that can affect your focus?
- Do you have all necessary equipment like pencils, paper, calculators, water, snacks and student ID close by?
Learn more about online exams in Write Online Exams.
Prepare for in-person exams
- Sometimes exams are scheduled in different places than lectures. Check WebAdvisor and/or Courselink to determine the location and time of the exam.
- Aim to arrive 30 minutes ahead of time so you aren’t feeling rushed.
- Keep up to date with campus health protocols.
- Bring your student ID.
- Bring with you any necessary equipment like pencils, paper, calculator, and water.
Learn more about in-person exams in Write In-Person Exams.