Study Skills for Grade 5

Mrs. Loewen came into our class a couple of times over the past couple of weeks to teach the class a little bit about study skills and learning styles.  The students wrote a survey that showed them their preferred learning styles.  Mrs. Loewen talked about short term memory and how to transfer information to our long term memory, and she practiced these skills with the students with an activity.  One of the documents that was discussed was on Test Taking Tips. The following is from the document she shared:

TEST TAKING TIPS

Before the test:

1.  Use your study skills to better learn the material that will be covered on the test.  If you have been given a Study Guide or Review Sheet, make sure to follow it carefully.

2. Be positive when you study. Think about doing well -  not failing.

3. Think of the test as a chance to show how much you have learned, rather than what you do not know.

4. Ask your teacher about the types of questions that will be on the test and study accordingly. The most common types of questions are: multiple choice, true-false, short answer, fill-in-the blank, matching, and essay questions.

5. Make sure you have a good night’s sleep the night before the test and eat a good breakfast on the day of the test.

During the test:

1. Stay relaxed during the test. Taking slow, deep breaths can help. Focus on positive self-statements such as “I can do this.”  

2. When the teacher gives you a test, read the directions first and make sure that you understand and follow them. If you have questions, ask your teacher.

3. During the test answer easy questions first and then come back to the ones you need more time to think about.

4. When you do not know an answer on a multiple-choice test, eliminate the options that you know cannot be correct and take an educated guess on the remaining options.

5. Don’t worry about other students finishing the test before you do. Take the time you need to do your best.

6. Make sure you are writing neatly and clearly as you do not want to lose marks because your teacher cannot read your answers.

After the test:

1.  Check over your answers to make sure you didn’t make careless mistakes and that every question is answered.

2. Once you hand in the test, forget about it for the moment. There is nothing more you can do until the graded test is returned to you. Turn your attention and effort to new units and assignments.

3. When the graded test is returned to you, examine it to see how you could have done better. Learn from your mistakes and be encouraged by what you did well.

4. Keep finding study strategies that work for you. Don’t let worry take control.  Taking charge of test anxiety allows you to show what you really know.