What tips and tricks do you have to help with college tests?

I have heard that athletes, to cope with the stress of a big event, lie down the day before and imagine themselves playing in the event.
I have tried this with tests and it seems to be successful. On the other hand I never really stressed during a test before, but when that stress comes on, I just take a deep breathe and force myself to think.

I used to go thru my notes and make an outline of what I thought would be important. I would review those notes for each class the night be the exam. I would avoid television, but would go to bed early and sleep. It was actually pretty easy to sleep because I sleep when I'm stress.

Then, in the morning before the exam I would review the notes again, but only for the next final. I would not look at the notes for the other exams that day until the first final was over.

I was lucky that I never had 4 exams in one day, but once I had 3.

For studying. Type up your notes on Microsoft Word (or retype them). Most times this does help with studying. You can also add in your book notes/highlights too.

If its nerves, then get an early sleep and do not have too much caffiene.

You can also see if there is a pre-test, notes or other materials from the class you can use to your advantage. Not knowing and fear are what cause the nervousness. Preparation, education, confidence and the honest willingness to proceed are good to have in this situation.

These do work. A few times I forget a point or two, but trust me, they work.

Hello pangeacat!

It depends on the type of test for me and probably field of education would also matter. I belong to Engineering field, so what works for me may not work for you or others. The easiest that I have found are MCQs (Multiple choice questions), whether they were in University, Job tests, or GRE. One never needs to remember everything, but it helps if one knows and has prepared well. What helped me on them was that I NEVER prepared on final days or days before them! Yes, that helped me keep my usual routine and I think the calm is one of the best tool to score highest and that's what I got from getting away from preparing.

Another thing that helped me a lot was meditation and knowing that I CAN do it as best as anyone else can. I like to think that if anyone can do something, in this situation top, I can do it too and if I can do it, anyone can do it also. This reassurance gave me tremendous confidence before appearing in exams. Confidence in oneself is another great tool that I think is essential for success in exams.

Sometimes, when I felt stuck, in the hall, I used to put the questionnaire aside and would relax, taking deep breaths, cracking my fingers, looking outside of hall windows and thinking of life outside of the hall. That used to bring my calm and focus back. And, believe me it has worked wonders for me as I felt fresh breath to my efficiency and analytical power that in turn helped me in the exams.

Now, when it used to be a written descriptive type test/exam. I used to prepare well, not only before final day but on its morning too. But, before entering the hall, I'll put my notes aside, would take a walk for about 5 minutes, I'll see and observe what is on the faces of other people and that gave me interesting and sometimes funny inputs that used to clear all the tense environment that thinking about exam would have created for me.

I always did fine/good on written, not excellent, especially in University, but I always did best on MCQs and vivas (oral exams), I don't know why though. I topped my job test (Technical MSQs), conducted nationwide, and overall was placed second. Scored 2070 in GRE old type pattern (Math 800; Analytical 800; Verbal 470) and came at 17th position, again nationwide, for the GRE 'type' tests conducted for foreign scholarship grants by our Ministry. I took all of these tests without any preparation! If I had prepared, I think I might have scored less, but I don't know!

So, finally...Calm, Self Confidence and belief of winning and coming at top, Focusing and freeing my mind have been the things helping me out in my exams and tests. I consider prayers as a helpful tool, too!:-)