21 Science-Backed Study

Tips to Ace a Test

While barricading yourself in the library might be the tried-and-true

(or at least tried) method of studying, there is a better way — in fact,
there are at least 21 of them. Go forth and fearlessly take on tests with
these science-backed study tips to turn AP Misery into AP Mastery.

Remember your stuff

1. Study when sleepy

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Bedtime stories are for kids. Instead of reading the Berenstain Bears,
try studying for a few minutes right before hitting the hay.

During sleep, your brain strengthens new memories and puts them
into long-term storage, so there’s a good chance
you’ll remember whatever you review right before dozing off. (Just
try not to bring work into your actual bed, since the distraction can
make it harder to get a good night’s sleep.)Trusted Source
2. Space it out
A new learning technique called “spaced repetition” involves breaking
up information into small chunks and reviewing them consistently
over a long period of time.

Don’t try to memorize the entire periodic table in one sitting. Instead,
learn a few rows each day and review each lesson before starting
anything new.Trusted Source

3. Create a mnemonic device

Turn the details you need to remember into an easy-to-recite
acronym. For example, remember the order of mathematic
operations PEMDAS (parenthesis, exponents, multiplication,
division, addition, subtraction) with this catchy mnemonic device:
Please (P) excuse (E) my (M) dear (D) Aunt (A) Sally (S).

4. Write it down
Put those third-grade penmanship lessons to good use. Research
suggests that we store information more securely when we write it by
hand than when we type it on a computer keyboard. Start by
recopying the most important notes from the semester onto a new
sheet of paper.Trusted Source

5. Put yourself to the test

Quizzing yourself may be one of the best ways to prepare for the real
deal. Get into the routine of practicing with a cheat sheet (notes) and
then without it. Use a stopwatch to simulate the test time limit.

It may seem obvious, but the best strategy is to focus on the hard stuff
first so it doesn’t trip you up on the test.

6. Shout it out
The dual action of seeing and hearing information at the same time
helps seal it into your memory. So shout those notes out loud! We
just can’t guarantee you won’t get thrown out of the library.Trusted
Source

Get help

7. Come together (right now)

Group work doesn’t fly with everyone, but for those who benefit from
a little team effort, a study group is the way to go. Pick a few studious
pals and get together every few days to review the material.

Put one person in charge of delegating tasks (snack duty, music

selection) and keeping the group on target with its goals.

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Change things up

8. Walk backward
It might sound strange, but a backward walk is like hitting your
brain’s rewind button. In one study, people who walked backward
were better able to remember a video they’d watched than those who
walked forward or stood still.Trusted Source

What is this strange phenom? The study authors call it the

“mnemonic time-travel effect.”

9. Switch it up
Don’t stick to one topic. Instead, study a bunch of different material
in one sitting. This technique helps prepare you to use the right
strategy for finding the solution to a problem.

For example, if you do several division problems in a row, you’ll know

when you begin each problem that it’ll require some division. But
doing a series of problems that could require multiplication, division,
or addition means you have to stop and think about which strategy is
best.
10. Treat yo’self!
A healthy holiday cookie, a walk around the block, 5 minutes on
Twitter — whatever floats your boat. Knowing there’s a little reward
waiting at the end of a few more pages makes it easier to beat
procrastination while slogging through a semester’s worth of notes.

11. Drink up
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Sorry, not that kind of drink. Instead, hit the local coffee shop for
something caffeine-filled, whether your beverage of choice is coffee or
tea. Research suggests the amount of caffeine in a cup or two of coffee
boosts attention and alertness.

Hate the caffeine jitters? Decaf coffee also wakes up your brain, but
without the jolt.Trusted Source
12. Take a time-out
Taking time to plan is one of the most important skills a student can
have. Don’t just start the week with the vague goal of studying for a
history exam. Instead, break up that goal into smaller tasks.

Pencil it in on the calendar like a regular class. For example, allot 1 to

3 p.m. each day to review 50 years’ worth of info.

13. Work it out

Get leaner and brainier at the same time. Research has shown that
just a half hour of aerobic exercise may improve your brain-
processing speed and other important mental abilities. Jog some laps
around the block or run the stairs a few times and see if you don’t
come back sharper.Trusted Source

14. Gimme a break

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The KitKat guys said it, and so does science: Taking breaks — say,
every 75 to 90 minutes— can boost productivity and improve your
ability to focus on a single task. For a real productivity charge, step
away from the screen and break a sweat with a midday gym session.

Beat stress
15. Daaaance to the music
As anyone who’s ever relied on the Biebs to make it through an all-
night study session knows, music can help you beat stress.

It’s still not clear which type of music is best — classical, country,
rock, or hip-hop — so go with your favorite. Give those biology notes
a soundtrack and feel at least some stress slide away.Trusted Source

16. Say “om”

Just before staring at a piece of paper for 3 hours, direct your gaze
inward for 3 minutes. Research suggests meditation can boost
attention span and improve focus. And if you do it often enough, you
can keep those intellectual gains well past the college years.Trusted
Source

While most studies focus on regular meditation, there’s no harm in

trying it out for a few minutes now and then to calm pre-test jitters.

17. Doze off

When there’s a textbook full of equations to memorize, it can be
tempting to stay up all night committing them to memory (or trying
to). But all-nighters rarely lead to an automatic A. In fact, burning the
midnight oil can backfire, leading to more forgetfulness and
greater sensitivity to stress.

In the days leading up to a big exam, aim to get those 7 to 9 hours a

night. Research has shown that a solid night of sleep improves
declarative memory, also known as the ability to remember facts on
that big exam.Trusted Source

18. Feel free to inhale

Dusty old library again… or spa day? In one study, catching a whiff of
lavender improved participants’ memory test scores after they were
exposed to stress. Skip the frantic last-minute review and try a few
minutes of aromatherapy instead.Trusted Source

Fight distractions

19. Nix the ’net

We’ve all been there, facing the siren call of a friend’s Facebook wall
on the eve of a giant exam. If you need a computer to study, try an
app that blocks the internet for a short period of time and see how
much more you get done.

20. Strike a pose

Deep-breathing yoga both improves attention and eases stress. So
dive into that Downward-Facing Dog or bend your bod into a lotus. A
few daily sun salutations may be all it takes to stay focused during
finals.Trusted Source

Find your sweet spot

21. Learn what works
Some people are early birds, some are night owls. Some prefer to
study with a pal, others need complete and total silence. Experiment
to find what study method is most effective for you, and then stick
with it!