Ace Your Midterm Exams: Metacognition is the Key

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Ace Your Midterm Exams Metacognition is the Key!

• Saundra Y. McGuire and Pam Ball
• Center for Academic Success
• B-31 Coates Hall
• www.cas.lsu.edu

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2004 National College Learning Center
AssociationFrank L. Christ Outstanding Learning
Center Award 
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The Story of Five LSU Students

• Travis, junior psychology student
• 47, 52, 82, 86
• Robert, freshman chemistry student
• 42, 100, 100, 100
• Amy, junior organic chemistry student
• 54, 82, 76, 78
• Michael, senior pre-medical organic student
• 30, 28, 80, 91
• Terrence, junior Bio Engineering student
• GPA 1.67 cum, 3.54 (F 03), 3.8 (S 04)

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Four Analytical Chemistry Students in 2005
Date of Final Exam December 14, 2005 Meeting
with Student No. 1 December 12, 2005 Meeting
with Student Nos. 2 4 December 2, 2005 Meeting
with Student No. 3 December 8, 2005 The final
was worth 100 points with a 10 bonus question.
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Reflection Questions

• Why are midterm exams important?
• What study strategies have worked for you?

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Prerequisites for Success

• Use Metacognition to Master all Concepts
• (not rote memorization!)
• Realistic Study Schedule
• Effective Use of Resources (office hours,
  tutorial room, etc.)
• Managing Anxiety

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So, What Can You Do to Prepare for Midterm Exams?

• Spend enough time reviewing and mastering the
  material
• Aim for 100 mastery
• Use office hours for clarification
• Use the Study Cycle with Intense Study Sessions

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The Study Cycle
Phase One Read or preview chapters to be
covered in class before class (Create chapter
maps) Phase Two Go to Class. Listen
actively, take notes, participate in
class Phase Three Review and process class
notes as soon as possible after class Phase
Four Incorporate Intense Study
Sessions Repeat
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Intense Study Sessions

• 2-5 minutes Set goals for next 40 min.
• 40 minutes Read text more selectively/highlight
• Make doodles/notes in margins
• Create mnemonics, work examples
• Create maps
• 5 minutes Review what you have just studied
• 10 minutes Take a break
• Repeat
• Once per week do a review of entire week

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Exam Preparation Stage I

• Before the Exam
• Use The Study Cycle
• Utilize Intensive Study Sessions
• Frequent Reviews

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Exam Preparation Stage II

• 1 Week Before the Exam
• Plan Midterm Exam Review
• Aim for 100 Mastery!!!
• Construct Practice Exam with Friends
• Eat Well, Sleep Well, and Exercise
• Visualize Success!

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Survey the Task

• Gather Information from...
• instructor text lecture notes
• to answer the following questions
• 1. What will the test cover?
• 2. Is it comprehensive or non-comprehensive?
• 3. What kinds of questions will be used?
• 4. How many questions (of each type)?
• 5. Will I need any special test materials?

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Study Schedule - Task Oriented

• Monday Thursday
• French Ch. 6,7 French Exam at 2 p.m..
• Johnson article Math Assignment
• Math assignment Comm. articles
• Tuesday Friday
• French Ch. 8, 9 Comm. Ch. 10, 11
• Lab assignment Make weekend study Comm. Ch. 9
  schedule
• Wednesday Study Group
• Review/Self-test Saturday
• Math assignment Review/Self-test

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Organize The Information

• Prepare charts or summary sheets
• Integrate notes with text information
• Make concept maps
• Predict test questions
• Memorize, create mnemonics
• Aim for 100 mastery!

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Memorize Thoroughly

• Intend to remember
• Over learn
• Preview/review frequently and RECITE!
• Learn in as many ways/modalities as possible
  Visually, kinesthetically, by association,
  organization (e.g. outline or map), study group
• Focus attention lose the cell phone dependency!
• Schedule time for assimilation
• Learn a variety of ways to trigger memory

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Review

• Lecture notes and textbook notes
• Study Sheets and study group notes
• Self-tests
• Flash Cards
• Old exams (retake them!)

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Exam Preparation Stage III

• Day of the Exam
• Calmly rehearse facts, formulas, ideas
• Perform deep breathing to relax
• Use positive self-talk
• Arrive at the exam room a few minutes early not
  too early!
• Visualize success!

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Exam Preparation Stage IV

• During the Exam
• Perform deep breathing to relax use positive
  self-talk
• Write down formulas on exam before you begin
• Read the directions VERY carefully listen for
  additional directions ask for clarification
• Survey the exam and budget your time
• Share what you know! And you know it all!!!
• Expect memory blocks
• Visualize success!

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Tips for Multiple Choice Tests

• Try to answer the question WITHOUT looking at the
  choices
• Look at one option at a time, and treat each
  answer as a true or false question
• Note that the longest choice is often correct
• Make sure the answer is grammatically correct
• Read all choices before settling on one
• Note answers with all of the above etc.

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Tips for True False Tests

• Watch for words such as always, never. These are
  usually false but not always!
• Watch for words such as seldom and usually. These
  are often true but not always!
• Use the rest of the test for information
• If in doubt go with your intuition
• Dont change an answer unless youre absolutely
  sure you should!

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Tips for Essay Tests

• Examine the question and organize your thoughts
  before you start to write
• Outline or map your response before you write
• Have a beginning, middle, and end
• If you run out of time, outline the remaining
  questions for partial credit
• Proofread your answers make sure all are
  grammatically correct!

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Exam Preparation Stage V

• After the Exam Plan
• Leave the area promptly dont talk about the
  test
• Let it go!
• Reward yourself for your hard work
• Resume preparation for next examination or
  celebrate that all your exams are over!
• If your midterm grade is lower than you expected,
  ask to see your exam as soon as possible. There
  may have been a grading mistake.

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Create a Chapter Map
Title of Chapter
Primary Headings
Subheadings
Secondary Subheadings
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Compare and Contrast
Concept 1
Concept 2
How are they similar?
How are they different?
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• The Center for Academic Success
• B-31 Coates Hall. 578-2872
• www.cas.lsu.edu
• Computer Lab, B-26 Coates Hall
• Supplemental Instruction (SI)
• Individual Appointments
• Biology and Chemistry Tutorial Center, 169 Coates
• Mathematics Tutorial Center, Allen 39
• Physics Tutorial Center, 102 Nicholson

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Its the difference between knowing and doing
that determines success. Use your learning
style to do it!
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The Center for Academic SuccessB-31 Coates
Hallwww.cas.lsu.edu

• Unlock your excellence!!!