Studying and Test-Taking Strategies

1. STUDYING AND TEST-TAKING
1. Learning Isolated Facts
2. Learning Concepts
3. Achieving Deep Processing
4. The Exam Process
5. Final Tips

2. Mnemonic Devices
• Acronyms
• Acrostics
STRATEGIES FOR REMEMBERING
ISOLATED FACTS
Flash Cards
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3. Acronyms
What are the three influences that psychologists
use to analyze behavior or mental processes?
An abbreviation formed from the initial compon-
ents in a phrase or a word
BPS = Biological, Psychological, Social
Sample Question:
MNEMONICDEVICE

4. Acrostics
Name five types of depressant drugs?
A message created by the first letter of words that
form the answer to a particular question
Ben And Brian Cry Often =
Sample Question:
Barbiturates, Alcohol, Benzodiazepines,
Cannabinoids, Opioids
MNEMONICDEVICE

5. Deep Processing Table
• Elaboration
• Contrast
• Personal
STRATEGIES FOR REMEMBERING &
UNDERSTANDING CONCEPTS
Concept Mapping
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6. Concept Mapping
A diagram that shows relationships between
concepts
Sample Topic: Memory
Short-Term
Capacity
Small
Time
Brief
Long-Term
Capacity
Large
Time
Indefinite
MEMORY

7. Deep Processing Table
A table that organizes information in a way that
helps to connect concepts
• Elaboration:
finding similarities between concepts
• Contrast:
finding differences between concepts
• Personal:
making the information meaningful

8. Deep Processing Table
MEMORY SIMILARITIES DIFFERENCES PERSONAL
LONG-TERM
Both have
capacity levels
Has indefinite
storage
I am 20 years old
and can still
remember the
alphabet.
SHORT-TERM
Both have
capacity levels
Has brief storage
When I am at
parties, I forget
new people’s
names quickly

9. PRACTICE RETREIVING INFORMATION
• Recall without referring to notes
• Practice using the information
ACHIEVING DEEP PROCESSING
OF LEARNING MATERIAL
QUESTION GENERATION
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10. THE EXAM PROCESS
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BEFORE THE EXAM
DURING THE EXAM
AFTER THE EXAM

11. Before the Exam
• Quick Review
• Arrive Early
• Relax

12. During the Exam
• Carefully read all directions
• Ask clarifying questions
• Don’t leave anything blank
• Use your time wisely:
• Pace yourself
• Double check your answers

13. After the Exam
• Make sure you understand your mistakes
• Save the exam for a future study guide
• Helps to see how your professor structures
their exams

14. • Develop automaticity by overlearning material
• Study as you go (well before the exam)
• Take advantage of study guides (when available)
• Helps to gauge how your instructor will ask questions
• Use your professors’ office hours to clarify info
• Create your own test
FINAL TIPS
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