STUDYING FOR AND TAKING A MATH EXAM

These notes © by Professor Clare Hemenway, Department of Mathematics.

The original version of these notes, with full graphics, is available from Professor Burger's web pages.

Before you being you should review some general advice on studying.
 
 

Remember ... if you study a little bit each day, you do not have to cram for an exam. If you wait until the last minute, you will not have time to seek help you may need and you will probably confuse concepts. In fact, if you have kept up, you should be almost ready for the exam. Hence, it is more accurate to state that we are "reviewing" for the exam (rather than "studying").
 
 

TO REVIEW FOR AN EXAM:

1. Read your class notes.

Pay particular attention to the types of problems that were stressed in class.
2. Review your homework assignments, reworking a few of the problems.

It is imperative that you work some problems in in detail and not just look over your homework.
3. Study formulas, definitions, theorems and procedures.
4. Work review exercises at end of chapter.

TO TAKE AN EXAM:

• Carefully write down any formulas you need to remember.
• Read each question carefully.
• Answer each question completely and make sure you answer the question being asked.
• Work the questions you understand best first.
• Do not spend too much time on one problem.
• Try to attempt each problem. You may get partial credit, and without any attempt you'll get zero for sure, which can really knock your grade down.
• Work quickly, but also clearly so that your instructor can read your work. Also, it is easy to make mistakes when your writing is not clear.
• Check your work if you have time.
• Do not be concerned if others finish the test before you do. Work at a pace which provides a balance between your comfort level and the length of the exam.
• Do not be afraid to ask for clarification of a problem during an exam. You can always ask questions.

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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