Tests: Use Your Fear

Student:

I think I am doing more things right. I go to every class, do the readings and psets, go to office hours, and answer questions in class. but when it comes to studying for a test a end up spending more time telling myself no to be afraid than I do preparing for it. My professors often say they are surprised that I don't do better on exams. How can I change this?

Recent Alum:
Fear and anxiety about tests are natural an actually a sign that you care about what you are doing. They only became a problem if you can no longer use the excitement to prepare for the exam, and instead, the anxiety drives you to distraction.

Some tricks that I use to channel my anxiety include:

• Taking a break to clear my mind while practicing deep breathing. Sometimes the mental anxiety can turn physical. It is important to calm your body and your mind. Doing this during the test is equally important.
• When my mind races along about other topics or concerns while I am trying to focus, I use a personal notepad to jot down those random thoughts. By writing your thoughts down, you can get them out of your head, you'll have the note to remind you to think about them later, and you'll be able to concentrate on the material you are studying.

You said that your exam grades are not reflection how well you know the information. It is fantastic to have a complete mental understanding of the material, but tests are also about showing that understanding in a limited time frame. Sometimes that I have done many times and have found to be very useful is practicing time-limited test problems before the exam. If you know that you will have to answer 6 problem on the test in an hour, for example, then you only have 10 minutes per question. Before the exam, practice-solving 6 problems in an hour, or practice solving 1 problem in 10 minutes or less.

By MIT Tips...

To much study? Is there such a thing?

Student:
I don't do well on exam even though I spend long hours studying, at the library or in my room. I can do the psets and I think I understand the material, but I have trouble focusing on what's in front of me. Mi ideal is to just learn for learning's sake, but I know that in order to get better exam grades I have to become more systematic and get through things faster.

I don't really have extracurricular (I am doing a thesis). Maybe I should do a UROP or something to force myself to focus?

Recent Alum:
It is wonderful to hear that you enjoy learning, and know how how to work until you understand the concepts in your classes, not just to get through the psets . But I think you are right that you have to much time to study. If you feel your time is unlimited, there is not much pressure to make good use of it.

It may be helpful to make a schedule and set short-term goals. Even if you don't have something else to do at 3 pm, for instance, make a mental note (or write it down, for extra emphasis) that you will finish the Physics psets between 1 and 3 pm. This will give you a challenge that may help you focus and use your time productively. If you thing that an extracurricular activity may help you better schedule your time, you can try that too. Most of our varsity athlete are also excellent students because they have to use their time at peak efficiency.

By MIT Tips...