Test Study Skills 101 Study Smarter…Not Longer! Created by Mrs. Sykes 7 th Grade Texas History Riverwood Middle School

Test Study Skills 101

Study Smarter…Not Longer!Created by Mrs. Sykes

7th Grade Texas History

Riverwood Middle School

Free powerpoint template: www.brainybetty.com2

Where to Start?

• Start studying early. It's hard to learn all you'll need to learn in one night.

• This seems like a no-brainer, but how many of you have done this or typically do this before every test?


Study Skills 101: Where to Start?

• The goal is to make the information "stick." • When you study terms (definitions) for a history exam,

the best way to make the information stick is to understand the term in context, or understand how it relates to other terms and facts.

• In history exams, you are expected to know WHY an event is important (that’s why you often see essay, long

or short answer questions on tests).


Where to Start (cont’d)

• Write a paragraph that contains three or four terms. Your paragraph should contain a date and the names of any important person who might be related to the significance of the events or terms.

• Keep writing paragraphs until you use up your terms.

• Remember that you can re-use a term if one term fits well with two or more clumps. This is a good thing! The more you repeat a term, the more you'll understand its significance.


Learning Styles - Visual

• If you are a VISUAL Learner: • Go back to your notes and use a highlighter to

connect your terms and key information. For example, highlight each term/idea in one paragraph green and highlight terms/ideas from another paragraph yellow, etc.


Learning Styles - Auditory

• If you are an AUDITORY Learner:

• Find a recorder and record yourself as you read over each paragraph slowly. Listen to your recording several times.


Learning Styles - Tactile

• If you are a TACTILE Learner:

• Make flashcards by putting all the terms on one side of a card and the entire paragraph on the flip side.


Another Good Trick• Make a timeline for the period (which you have done).

Look over the timeline, going back and forth several times, getting a feel for the ebb and flow of events.

•Now test yourself and draw a blank timeline. Fill in the major events without looking at any notes or books, then review your original to see how much you got right. Continue this until you get the events right.

• Make a list of key people and places for each event on the timeline.


Another Good Trick (cont’d)

• Look at the big picture. Make yourself aware of the texture of history: Why was event X at time Y important? Why are you learning this in the first place?

• Think in terms of change over time. What was fundamentally different at Time B from how things had been at Time A?


Here’s an Idea:

• Consider forming a study group with other students in the class.

• You can study together in study hall, longhorn learning, or other study skills class. Also, you can study during tutoring times.

• Working together will help all of you understand the material better.


A Few Great Websites:

• http://kidshealth.org/teen/school_jobs/school/test_terror.html

• http://www.suite101.com/content/history-study-tips-a168368

• http://www.businessbookmall.com/Study_Skills_Help.htm

Documents

Test Study Skills 101 Study Smarter…Not Longer! Created by Mrs. Sykes 7 th Grade Texas History Riverwood Middle School