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UCQ

Exams and Study Skills

Test taking strategies

Study Strategies

Two strategies have been proven in multiple studies to be effective for exam preparation.

What Works

1. Practice testing

2. Spaced studying

What Does Not Work

1. Highlighting text

2. Re-reading lecture notes and PowerPoints

On its own, rereading lecture notes and class PowerPoints for exam preparation is not an effective study strategy. Reviewing your work by reading is only one part of your exam preparation. The reason for this is that reading alone can often be a passive activity. To do well in exams, you would do better to be an active participant and make meaning with the course material. The following strategies for remembering are all active strategies.