As we reach the end of the school year, Mamaroneck High School starts to focus on final exams and standardized tests. In addition to the final exams required in the classroom, many MHS students take Advanced Placement tests (APs), Regents exams, SATs, and ACTs, just to name a few. All year, our students work day in and day out learning the material necessary for these exams.
These exams are important for students, as they are often included in applications for colleges and universities. Doing well on these exams can open up myriad opportunities, so studying and preparing is considered a crucial part of the high school experience.
Studying for these tests can be complicated, and covering a whole school year’s material in a few weeks can be overwhelming. With each class being unique and having its own materials and resources, many students search for the perfect study method that will unlock the answers to every test they take, but there is no one perfect strategy that works for everyone.
When strategizing how to best study for an exam, first, you need to figure out how early to start and how much you should be studying. AP Macroeconomics teacher Francesco Scoscia recommends starting to study around a month before an exam. For his Macroeconomics classes, Scioscia emphasizes the importance of “getting comfortable with the types of questions asked on the AP.” He recommends utilizing multiple-choice and free-response practice questions found on AP Classroom, along with studying flashcards.
Good preparation does not necessarily mean you should be studying for hours each night, however. Scoscia added, “I firmly believe that over-studying is counterproductive, and I am not a fan of cramming the night before either. I recommend students study for 20-30 minutes per night. If you do that every night over a 2-3 week stretch, you will be in great shape.” While some students might say that they do not have enough time to study, Scoscia believes that studying a little every night with discipline is more than enough to succeed.
However, exam preparation will differ for each class. Studying for a math class and a language class should be structured differently, as each class is unique in its own way. For humanities like History and English, you might focus on vocabulary and writing skills. For STEM courses like science and math, you instead might focus on solving problems and memorizing equations. This even extends to the physical tools you use to prepare; studying flashcards might be useful for a biology test, but not so much for a calculus test.
When it comes to the night before and day of a test, there are many ways to set yourself up for success. Some people might spend a little time the night before a test going over some final ideas, while others might not study at all. However, getting enough sleep is essential to performing well, as that is the only way to give yourself the energy and concentration needed to succeed.
Finally, you need to trust yourself. Never panic, and always remember all of your preparation. Remember how hard you have worked throughout the year and how well you have prepared. Success will then become inevitable.
