Roger_Dooley

Sue Shellenbarger of the Wall Street Journal reviews the research on the best way to prep for tests:

One key technique:
Toughest Exam Question: What Is the Best Way to Study? - WSJ.com

OtherWindow

There are Physics questions on the PSAT now, apparently.

Overide

Maybe they were mathematics questions with a physics interest. Or just bad reporting. Doesn't really matter too much though.

mstee

Hmmm. According to this, breakfasting on bacon (my daughter's test strategy) was not the right thing to do. Maybe she could have raised her SAT scores another 50 or so points eating oatmeal?

JimboSteve

Some of these studies are just so silly...

So you subject some kids to a series of rhythmic sounds, have them perform an activity requiring memory, and from the results you can determine that studying with music is ineffective?

Try to remain focused on and interested in hard material in a soundless environment for eight hours, and maybe you'll see why some people like to listen to music when studying, Mrs. Psychologist.

There are some other follies, but I'm going back to work now. (Unlike some pseudoscientists, I recognize that a break every few hours when working can actually increase productivity, even when (gasp!) that break takes place on the internet.)

workingATbig4

First off, studies like these are just silly. When I was taking the CPA exam and my colleagues/friends/classmates were doing the same we would discuss our rituals. Some people couldn't stand studying without having the TV on. Some people would find the most secluded corner in a library and any squeak would throw them off. Point is, studying is something that varies from person to person and while certain foods might help, trying to create the "perfect study ENVIRONMENT" is just dumb.

Second thing: All of these "best way to study" tests have a section about how all-nighters are not good. Umm...duh! Please someone tell these bafoons writing these articles that nobody tell themselves "I'm going to pull an all-nighter because it is the most affective way of studying. Not only do I have all the stuff in my brain at the right time, but the lack of sleep and massive amount of caffeine are just what my mind needs to perform at test time"! People pull all-nighters because of extenuating circumstances.

So, you can leave out the paragraph that says "all nighters are bad because you're going to be tired". We know and if every day had gone exactly like I had planned in college than I never would have pulled an all nighter. But sometimes a file gets erased, a girl wants to go on a date, or the 4 other tests that happened within the last week took priority. College will teach you how to handle these situations better and when they can't be avoided you know how to work with what you got.

Bogney

Sacrifice a small animal to the god of college admissions and read its entrails to see if the day is propitious, toss salt over your right shoulder and cross yourself three times before eating your eggs, hiss and spit at any adult offering good luck, and chant CC on your way to the test - these are the steps that will guarantee your best score.

rbouwens

I usually just read stuff over and over until I get it

pjramos61

I took two practice SATs and increased my score by 190. The fact that I got the formatting of the questions and became used to the test was crucial.

But other than that... I wear a lucky shirt. Does that count?

quantummania128

Most of the researchers say that you have to get enough sleep ( between 7 to 8 hour) and have a healthy and light breakfast before the test.

dasdui

cool article

NeedsHelp1212

Anyone else disagree with what most of the article stated? I find that when i study with music on that I actually retain the material much better. Whenever I try to study without music, I inevitably become distracted.

Also, I hate this whole notion that you need these x amounts of sleep to do better. One person might be fine with 5 hours sleep, while another might need 9 hours. Whatever the case, the author of the article generalized how everyone should prepare for an exam by basing it on a study of a few hundred kids. In the end, we should base our study habits on what has made us perform the best on tests in the past. I personally love studying the day before a test and will continue to do it (even when I see multiple articles stating to space out your studying).

neoevolution

I got a 2320, and disagree with the article too. I used the Blue Book practice tests pretty much exclusively to study, but the example of the student with an 1800 isn't a great score to say that method is successful. And everyone knows a consistent sleep schedule is important, but don't obsess over breakfast. I also use music to drown out background noises, and don't actively pay attention to it. Of course, anxiety is bad too, but preparation and confidence are the best ways to handle it IMO.

Basically, figure out what works for you and stick with it.

Descuff

I partly disagree with the article. Seeing how most of my friends do more work with music. Same way my cousin do her chores with music. Also some people don't need 5 hours of sleep or 9 hours of sleep to perform their best. studying before bedtime part is definitively true as well as eating a good meal. But I'm going to try the repeated practice testing, Not gonna do it 30 times though but I'll do each one every saturday i'm home excluding birthday.

hilster4

What books does anyone w SAT knowledge recommend once i have finished the College board book,Barrons, and Princetons how to crack the SAT??