Ever failed a test because you got in your own head? When taking tests, I have had a bad past with preparing myself just enough to where I feel confident but then I sit down and start taking it and I lose all sense of what I am doing.

One of the most stressful tests are timed tests because you know that if you don’t finish on time you’re going to miss a crap ton but if you finish too early you question yourself on what you might have done wrong. Really taking a test is a mind game, if you take too long you fail, if you go to fast you question what you did wrong.

Taking a test is a strategy, almost like a game that you need good strategy skills for but with this, it’s a grade you’re fighting against. First, you need the right tools such as your study guide, a quiet atmosphere, and a focused mind.

Next, you should divide and conquer, by dividing up the information into small chunks and studying them individually you will be able to grasp the concept slowly but with the more repetition it will become second nature. Then after you finish each chunk go over the material all together and run it through your head over and over.

From there if you verbally say the material repeatedly you will grasp it even better. Finally write down what you know and if you still feel shaky on parts of the material write it down over and over till you have a strong grasp of it. After doing these steps and staying focused the entire time you should be able to pull of an A or B on your next test.

The reason I give these steps is to prevent a fellow bad test taker from failing. Too many times have I “kinda” prepared for a test and straight up bombed it, so I wish you the best with your future tests and studying endeavors.