2. POW is going to stand for 3 key
elements related to surviving exams
• being Prepared
• being Organized
• having a Willingness to Succeed
3. PREPARATION - Preparation Time vs.
Study Time
• Get ready before the night before the test
• The night before a test focus on:
– working on final comprehension of the course
material
– developing creative memory techniques which will
enhance your ability to remember the course
material.
• Two to three hours is actually plenty of time for
final comprehension and memorization of course
material.
4. What is on the test?
• Schedule a one-on-one appointment with your
professors and ask:
– “If you had to give me a letter grade right now, what
would it be?”
– “What number grade will I need to achieve on the
final exam to raise my current letter grade one letter
grade higher?”
– “If I study these concepts, will I be on the right track
towards success on the next test?”
– “What will be the structure of exam?”
5. Things to do while you are studying
• Talk out loud
• Have all necessary study materials
(notes, textbook, scrap
paper, highlighters, pens, pencils, index
cards, something to play with, food, etc)
• Be active with your studying
• Concentrate on memorization strategies
• Keep your goal sheet in front of you
• Study by yourself with your study materials and your
own thoughts—no study groups the night before a test
6. Note cards
• To self-test and speed the learning of information
on the note cards, follow the steps below:
– Step 1. Read a question aloud from or look at a
problem from the note card.
– Step 2. Then without looking, recite an answer aloud
as if lecturing a class.
– Step 3. Turn the note card over and check for
completeness and accuracy of your answer or
solution.
– Step 4. If your answer was complete and accurate,
place the note card in the “I know this” pile and
move on to the next note card.
7. • Step 5. If your answer or solution was not complete
and accurate, read the answer aloud. Then turn
the card over and read the question aloud or
view the problem, again. Recite aloud or write
the answer again from memory and then turn
the card over and check your answer. Keep repeating
this step until you get the answer correct
and then place that note card in the “I don’t
know this, yet” pile. Then, move on to the next note
card.
8. • Step 6. Review the “I don’t know this pile”
once every 2 to 3 days to promote learning.
Review the “I know this” pile once or twice per
week to check for and prevent forgetting.
9. • Reciting aloud information to be learned is
the MOST IMPORTANT step to prevent
forgetting.
