How to Study

There Are No “Easy” Tests
Some people think “open-book” tests are the easiest of all. They pray
for them...at least until they see their first one.
These are the toughest tests of all, if only because even normally
“nice” teachers feel no compunction whatsoever about making such
tests as tough as a Marine drill instructor. Heck, you can use your book!
That’s like having a legal crib sheet, right? Worse yet, many open-
book tests are also take-home tests, meaning you can use your notes
(and any other books or tools you can think of).
How to Study
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Since you have to anticipate that there will be no easy questions, 
no matter how well you know that material, you need to do some
preparation before you deal with this type of test.
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Mark important pages by turning down corners, using paper
clips, or any other method that will help you quickly flip to
important charts, tables, summaries, or illustrations. 
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Write an index of the pages you’ve turned down so you know
where to look immediately for a specific chart, graph, table,
and so forth. 
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Summarize all important facts, formulas, etc., on a separate
sheet. 
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If you are also allowed to bring your notes or it’s a take-home
test, write a brief index to your notes (general topics only) 
so you know where to find pertinent information. 
First answer the questions for which you don’t need your text. Then
work on those questions on which you must rely fully on the book.
Be careful about quoting too freely from your text. Better to make
up a similar example than use the same one in your book. Better to
paraphrase your text than quote it directly, even if you use quotation
marks.
While a take-home test is, by definition, an open-book test, it is the
hardest of all. An open-book test in class simply can’t last longer than
the time allotted for the class. But you may be given a night or two,
or even a week or longer, to complete a take-home exam.
Chapter 8
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How to Study for Tests
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Why are they so hard? You’re given so much time because teachers
expect that it will take you longer than the time available in class to
finish. You may have to go well beyond your text(s) and notes even
to get a handle on some of the questions, leading to some long nights.
Take any easy eight-hour tests lately? The longer you’re given, the
easier it is to procrastinate (“Heck, I’ve got another two nights!”),
and we know where that leads.
There are only two good aspects to balance the scales. You’ve 
certainly been given the chance to “be all that you can be.” No excuse
for not doing a terrific job on a test with virtually no time limit. If you
tend to freeze during a normal exam, you should have far less 
anxiety at home in comfortable surroundings.