Test Taking
Preparing for Quizzes and Tests
1. CRAM
CRAM stands for Confirm, Review, Ask, and Master the assigned information.
- CONFIRM the accuracy and completeness of your notes with your teacher after creating a two-column review list of key terms and definitions.
- REVIEW the key terms and definitions that will be on the test. Review, review, review, and review again until you remember.
- ASK questions; quiz yourself and another class member as you review your notes. Asking another person allows you to always be thinking of the right answer. For Scantron tests, quiz to recall the terms; for essay tests, quiz to recall the definitions.
- MASTER the most challenging information by your final review. Identify problem areas early and review those terms more often.
2. TLC Test-taking Strategy
Once you are well prepared, apply the TLC Test-taking Strategy. After reading the question, choose the right answer with TLC:
- T - THINK of the right answer
- L - LOOK for that answer
- C - CHOOSE the best one
The more you are able to THINK of the right answer before you LOOK at the options, the better you will be able to accurately CHOOSE the best answer.
3. Summary
- Begin now to confirm the accuracy of what you need to study.
- Review all of the information spending more review time on the most difficult facts and ideas.
- Ask a class member questions and quiz his or her understanding and thus give yourself more opportunity to think of the right answers.
- Master the information and take the test with confidence.
- As you take the quiz or test, read the question and think of the answer before looking over the options. Then, choose the best answer.
Rather than simply praying for God to help you pass the test (whether or not you studied), you can now pray that He will help you remember the information that you have studied and reward you for being a good steward of your preparation time. And as someone wisely said, “Sweat now while you prepare or sweat during the test.”
“Study to show thyself approved!” – II Timothy 2:15