Midterm and Final Exam Preparation

May is a month of mixed feelings.  Students and teachers are excited that summer is right around the corner, but before you clean out our lockers and burn your notebooks, there is one pending task: final exams.

The process is daunting, but with the right preparation and organization it can be manageable.  The key is to remember that this is a learning experience; try to focus less on the grade and more on the set of intangible study skills that the process is meant to cultivate.  Your student will have cumulative exams for a long time, and as tutors, we can help them manage the process and make it a valuable learning moment.

Here are a few tips that I use with my students:

1.Know the Schedule

During the week of finals, there will be projects and exams to be completed every day.  It’s helpful to make a schedule with the dates for each exam as well as note available office hours and teacher-led review sessions.

2. Set Goals

Final exams aren’t just about grades; they are also an opportunity for students to develop organizational skills and manage projects.  With that in mind, it’s important to stress realistic goals around performance.  Encourage the students to think critically about what they want to gain from the process and help them take steps towards those goals.

Here are some things to consider:

            Is this their first set of finals?

Cumulative exam preparation has a steep learning curve and the first-time students take these exams, their performance may not be in line with what they are used to.  Help them set realistic goals that take this into account and manage their expectations appropriately.

            Are they attempting to enter an advanced or honors class in the fall?

While grades are not the most important thing, class placement may require students to achieve certain numerical goals during finals week.  For example, they may be required to score 90% or above to enter Honors Geometry, etc.  This is a good time to chat with parents about goals because they may be in contact with the school and your student may not be aware of it.

            When is the exam within the larger exam schedule?

Students are relatively fresh at the beginning of the week, but it is natural for them to feel exhausted by the week’s end.  If they have high goals for an exam at the end of the week, make sure to encourage them to frontload that preparation to perform to the best of their ability.

3. Know the Exam Structure

Prior to exam week, teachers will discuss exam length, the number of questions and the types of questions on the exam.  Usually, this will be released early in the review process along with a review sheet.  If that is not the case, encourage students to email or meet with their teacher as early as possible to get this information.  Students may also be allowed an index card or notes for reference.

Knowing the structure of the exam will help them pace themselves and consider which question types they need the most help with.

4.Activities Outside of School

Students have full social schedules, and those obligations don’t disappear during final exam week.  Will your team go to regionals?  Are you preparing for a big concert?  Is there a big birthday party the weekend before finals?  These obligations should be added to the schedule and considered when making a study plan.  If the activities schedule is properly managed, it provides a much-needed break from studying and can help students feel refreshed and ready to start again.

5.Study Plan

They often feel overwhelmed by the amount of work required to study for finals.  Each exam will cover multiple units; many of which they won’t remember.  Mapping out a study plan to target specific subjects, chapters or project deadlines can provide a sense of relief and if they follow the plan, they will cover the necessary material.

6.Review

Usually, teachers will provide a review sheet to prepare for the exam.  Encourage your student to print or download the guide as early as possible.  To help manage the amount of material, I ask students to use the following rankings to break up the review:

1. A (¶)                I can start and complete this problem without help.
2. B (¶¶)              I can start this problem without help, but I need help to finish it.
3. C (¶¶¶)          I need help to start this problem.

Level C (¶¶¶) problems may require the help of a tutor, teacher or parent.  Encourage them to reach out early and schedule the time with the necessary party and ensure that they have extra time to work on the most difficult topics independently.

It is important that they plan their review over an extended time; try to discourage cramming and last-minute preparation.

7.Rest and Recharge

During exam week, they may have half days to allow for rest and preparation for the next day.  Encourage them to take full advantage of this schedule. 

In closing, this time of the year is stressful for students, teachers and parents. Try to remember that all the students are doing the same thing, and it won’t be long before we are on the other side of it.  Maintaining a positive attitude and being patient will help them feel secure and ready to do their best.