One of the most important study skills you can develop is predicting what will be on tests. Knowing with confidence what will be on the test can make your study time more effective as well as cut down on test anxiety. By using the label in the margin system for taking notes from lectures and reading textbooks, you have already begun to use the essential strategies needed to predict what will be on a test.
Here are some important guidelines to remember in predicting questions that will be on a test.
1. Clues to test questions from lecture material:
a Pay attention to what an instructor says and how he/she says it. (nonverbal cues)
b. Ideas that are repeated
c. Ideas written on the board, overhead, or in a handout
d. "This is important"; "You'll see this again"
e. Questions instructor asks students
2. Clues to test questions from text book material:
a. Material in Bold Print
b. Information in summary section
c. Problems or questions at the end of the chapters
3. Save all tests, quizzes, homework, etc.
4. Find out if previous tests are available.