💡 Test Tips & Success Strategies
⏰ Time Management
| Phase | Duration | Strategy |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Scan | 2–3 min | Read all problems, identify easiest ones |
| Problem Solving | 10–15 min/problem | Start with easiest |
| Review | 5–10 min | Check answers, catch errors |
| Buffer | Remaining time | Return to skipped problems |
Pro Time Tips
- Quick wins first – boost confidence with easy problems
- Don’t get stuck – if problem takes >20 min, move on
- Watch the clock – check time every 20–25 minutes
- Always review – use any remaining time to verify work
- Partial credit – write what you know even if incomplete
📝 During the Test
Essential Practices
| Do This | Why |
|---|---|
| Show all work | Partial credit awarded generously |
| Write clearly | Grader must read it to credit it |
| Label final answers | Make them easy to find |
| Use scratch space | Organize your thinking |
| Breathe and refocus | Stay calm if stuck |
Step-by-Step Approach
- Read problem carefully – underline key information
- Plan approach – think before writing
- Show intermediate steps – justify your reasoning
- Box or circle final answer – make it prominent
- Quick sanity check – does answer make sense?
🎒 What to Bring
✅ Required
- Writing materials: Pens (blue/black), pencils
- Eraser: For diagrams and scratch work
- Notes: Handwritten or typed (printed)
✅ Optional but Helpful
- Textbook: For reference formulas
- Calculator: If needed for specific tests
- Highlighters: To mark key parts of problems
- Cheatsheet: Your own summary of key concepts
❌ Not Allowed
- Collaboration with others
- ChatGPT and similar LLM/AI tools
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Test Logistics
🦫 Q: Can I use my laptop for notes?
👨🏻🏫 A: Yes, you can use the laptop to access the materials, unless it is specifically prohibited by you instructor!
🦫 Q: What if I finish early?
👨🏻🏫 A: Review your work thoroughly. Most students use the full 90 minutes — you should too!
🦫 Q: Can I ask questions during the test?
👨🏻🏫 A: Yes, but only clarification questions about problem wording — not hints on how to solve.
🦫 Q: What happens if I’m late?
👨🏻🏫 A: You’ll receive whatever time remains. Tests start promptly — arrive 5 minutes early.
Preparation
🦫 Q: Is there a practice test available?
👨🏻🏫 A: Nope. Just do the homework, watch the lectures, and you will be ready!
🦫 Q: How should I study?
👨🏻🏫 A: Review notes, do homework early, practice similar problems from the books, try to understand the concepts (not just memorize).
🦫 Q: Can I collaborate on studying?
👨🏻🏫 A: Absolutely! Study groups are encouraged before the test.
Grading
🦫 Q: How much fancy my work should be?
👨🏻🏫 A: Work must be legible. Extremely messy answers may lose points (-1 of max).
🦫 Q: Do I lose points for wrong answers?
👨🏻🏫 A: No extra penalty for incorrect work — you only earn points for correct reasoning.
🦫 Q: Can I get a regrade?
👨🏻🏫 A: No.
🎯 Success Strategies
Before the Test
| Strategy | Details |
|---|---|
| Review systematically | Go through all lecture notes for covered topics |
| Practice actively | Redo homework without looking at solutions |
| Create cheatsheet | Summarize key formulas, theorems, examples |
| Test yourself | Do practice problems under timed conditions |
| Get adequate sleep | 7–8 hours the night before |
| Eat properly | Good breakfast on test day |
During the Test
| Strategy | Details |
|---|---|
| Stay calm | Deep breaths if you feel anxious |
| Read carefully | Don’t misread problem requirements |
| Manage time | Don’t spend 40 minutes on one problem |
| Show work | Write out reasoning even if seems obvious |
| Double-check | Verify calculations and logic |
After the Test
| Strategy | Details |
|---|---|
| Review feedback | Understand mistakes when test is returned |
| Don’t dwell | One test doesn’t define your grade |
🧠 Mental Preparation
💭 Mindset Tips
- You’ve prepared – trust your preparation
- Partial credit means every step counts
- It’s okay to skip hard problems temporarily
- Mistakes are learning opportunities, not failures
- The test measures understanding, not speed
Stress Management
- Before: Exercise, good sleep, positive self-talk
- During: Deep breathing, skip and return, focus on what you know
- After: Reflect constructively, don’t catastrophize
📊 Common Mistakes to Avoid
| Mistake | Solution |
|---|---|
| ❌ Not reading carefully | Underline key words, reread if unclear |
| ❌ Skipping work steps | Show all reasoning for partial credit |
| ❌ Poor time allocation | Scan all problems first, budget time |
| ❌ Messy presentation | Write clearly, organize work logically |
| ❌ Giving up too easily | Write what you know, attempt every problem |
| ❌ Not checking answers | Always verify if time permits |
Good luck on your tests! Remember: preparation + strategy = success. 🎓