How to Study

Test-Day Rules and Reminders
If the test is not simply during a regular class period, make sure 
to arrive at the test site early. Based on your preferences (from
Chapter 2), sit where you like.
Be careful, however. There may be some variations you have to take
into account. In a test where there are 200 or 300 people in a room,
there is a distinct advantage to sitting up front: You can hear the
instructions and the answers to questions better, and you generally
get the test first (and turn it in last).
Take the Time to Skim the Test
If you have permission to go all the way through it, do so before 
you even start testing. Give yourself an overview of what lies ahead.
That way you can spot the easier sections and get an idea of the point
values assigned to each section.
I know students who look through the entire test and break it down
into time segments before they read any question or write a single
answer—allocating 20 minutes for section one, 40 for section two,
and so forth. Even on multiple-choice tests, they count the total 
number of questions, divide by the time allotted, and set “goals” on
what time they should reach question 10, question 25, and so on.
How to Study
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Know the Ground Rules
Will you be penalized for guessing? The teacher may inform you that
you will earn two points for every correct answer, but lose one point
for every incorrect one. This will certainly affect whether you guess
or skip the question—or, at the very least, how many potential
answers you feel you need to eliminate before the odds of guessing
are in your favor. (As far as the SAT is concerned, there isn’t a penalty
for guessing, so don’t leave an answer blank!)
In the case of a standardized test like the SAT, ACT, or GRE, read
the instructions on a previous test before you go to the test site.
(There are numerous books that include “actual tests” in their prep
books.) Then just skim the instructions in your booklet or on the com-
puter to make sure nothing has changed. It will save you minutes—
time that is precious indeed during any such test.
Are the questions or sections weighted? Some tests may have two,
three, or more sections, some of which count for very little—10 or 
15 percent of your final score. One part, usually a major essay, may
be more heavily weighted—50 percent or more of your grade. Let
this influence the amount of time and energy you devote to each 
section.
Beware of time. Again, if questions or sections are weighted, you 
will want to allow extra time for those that count for 90 percent of
the score and whip through the 10-percent section as the teacher is
collecting booklets.