Ideas to help CSN Students Prepare for Tests

Often I see a pattern of students who do well on applied work, but are really having problems with testing. This is generally due to a lack of studying. In many high school classes, kids are able to do okay on tests without studying. In this class that really causes problems. Tests are challenging and without studying, students really do poorly. Those who do study generally do an excellent job and find they have a better understanding all the way around.

Since the course is preparing students to take professional certification tests, it is important that they learn how to study for tests. When I ask the kids how they study the answer is usually one of two answers, “I don’t” or “I cram the night before.” Neither one is very effective.

< Our class has a website www.teechur.com. All units have a test review available on the website.

< Instead of sitting down and doing the review one time the night (or even the moments) before the test, break the studying into 15 minute increments. The entire review does not have to be taken at once. Example:

o Day one of unit, sit down and do questions 1-10 on the review. Submit the test. Look at how you scored on each of the first ten questions. Highlight what you missed (or were fuzzy on and guessed, but got right). Review theose.

o Day two: Do questions 1-10 quickly and then 11-20. Submit. Do the same thing as yesterday.

o Doing this you’re taking maybe 10-15 minutes per day to study and by test time, you’ll have reviewed each question 8-10 times without cramming.

< Be sure all labs have been completed before test day. That way you KNOW what to do on the lab test and can easily ace the test. There is nothing worse than having a computer problem on a lab test because you didn’t do the lab which set it up!

Remember that all materials are online. While I don’t assign homework, students can always work on review and projects at home.

Also: I have been emailing progress reports home after every unit. If you are not receiving a progress report about every 2-3 weeks, please email me at mrsk@teechur.com and I’ll be sure you’re on the list!