We are about to enter the dead week, (which is ironic because it very rarely is actually dead) and most of you are probably asking yourselves what you can do to bring your grade up. However, it has been my experience that those who panic about making grades don't actually know how to prepare for the tests.

First, you need to start with the science of how much effort you need to put into a class. What I am not saying is that you can decide whether to blow off studying or not, but rather you need to find out which classes are the highest priority. The highest priority will always be passing. You need to look at the classes you are taking and decided which ones are the most at risk of being failed. Once you determine this, the next thing you want to focus on is which classes can easily be kept or turned into an A. Basically, if you know you are going to get a C in class X then you need to make sure you have a class that has an A to counter balance it. Ideally these classes will be a 91 or higher. The main reason you want a much higher average before the final is because it is much harder to get a above a 90 on a final. The third prioritization should be make sure your classes that are B's are solid B's. You cannot let B's slip into C's during finals week.

Now that you know what tests to study for, you need to make sure you are studying the right way. Too many times people will have files for tests and all they will do is look at the key to the tests and convince themselves they know how to do the problem and then when the test comes around, you actually have no idea what you are doing. Now the best way to study really depends on what is available to you during the test. The three main types of tests at Missouri S&T I have experienced are formula sheet test, crib sheet plus formula sheet test, and open note tests.

If you have a only formula sheet test there a certain path you will want to follow. First. you will want to look at the formula sheet and make sure you know how to use each formula you are given. You need to know what each variable means and when to use each formula. You will then want to find a file test and take the test using the formula sheet first, and if that doesn't work then you look at your notes to help you. Once you have made it through the first test, then you should be able to take a second file test with just the formula sheet. After that, all you should need to do is look over your notes a little bit more and you'll be golden.

If you have a test that allows you to make your own crib sheet then you will take an opposite approach to the case above. You will need a test with the key available. You will then want to follow the key and write your crib sheet based on the answer key to the previous test. Odds are if it's an engineering class, the problems will be similar and you just need to have the method for solving the problems down. Once you have your crib sheet made you will want to find a blank test to practice using your crib sheet on. If the crib sheet doesn't work on it, add to the crib sheet what you need and repeat and eventually you will have a rock solid crib sheet. Also, if you don't have a file posted for a final, just make the crib sheet based on the keys to the tests you have previously taken.

Finally, if you have a test that allows open notes, the best way to study for this test is practice taking tests with your notes, but make sure you time yourself on how long it takes you to take the test. The majority of people who don't pass open notes test are the same people who didn't study at all and didn't know what to expect on the test or where the answers will be in their notes.