How to Study for a Math Test

How to Study for a Math Test

• Begin studying as soon as you get the study guide. This will usually be ONE WEEK before the test is due.
• Open your text and, lesson by lesson, circle each problem listed on the study guide.
• Go to a clean page in your math notebook and label it “Chapter 3 Study Guide.”
• Work each problem on the study guide SHOWING ALL YOUR WORK!!! True, you have worked those problems before, but you absolutely need to work them AGAIN. (showing all your work)
• If your text edition has multiple choice questions, do not look at the answer options as you work the problems. Use an index card to cover the answer options.
• Check your study guide answers either with your homework problems in previously completed lessons or with the text answer key. CIRCLE or STAR the ones you missed.
• Look back at your homework and try to figure out why you missed the ones you did. Write yourself a brief reminder on a colorful sticky-note and adhere it next to the problem you missed in the textbook. Ex. “Distribute the negative sign” or “Reduce fraction.”
• Ask Mrs. Russell about any of the study guide problems that you could not figure out. Do this the class session before the test is due. This means that you must have already completed the study guide.
• Become very familiar with the word problem (Alg. 1 & 2) or the proofs (Geometry.) Practice, practice, practice.
• Rework the problems you missed until you can get them correct without referring to your homework or the textbook.
• I have known motivated students to work an entire study guide 2 or 3 times for each test.
• Pay careful attention to the T/F questions. The same concept will appear on the test, but not necessarily the same wording. TRICKY!
• Be sure to get a good night’s sleep the night before the test.
• Just before taking the test, flip through the chapter in your text one more time so that you can review all of those sticky notes as well as the directions for each problem.
• You are right, this takes TIME. Anything worthwhile does. Allow at least one hour of study time over a one week period for each study guide. Study guides are optional, but they are also essential for earning a good test grade. There is usually a +5 point bonus for completing the study guide and SHOWING YOUR WORK!