Use a Weekly Planner to prepare for finals

• Block off time for practice, class, and work-outs
• Schedule specific time to work on each class
• Be reasonable when planning!
• Try to stick to it, but leave room in case you don't get it all done when you plan to.

For every test:

• Read the directions carefully
• Know if you are penalized for guessing
• Know how much time is allowed and budget your time accordingly
• Preview the test: read through the test quickly and answer the easiest questions first
• You may pick up cues for answers from the first reading (for instance, you might find the answer from a question towards the end of a test by looking at previous items)
• In most cases trust your first instinct. Change an answer only when you know that you misread the question

Caution!

• No amount of guessing can replace knowing the answer
• If you do not know the answer and these strategies may help you make a more educated guess.
• They may also help you narrow down the correct answer

Strategies for true/false tests:

• Use the SQUID Method 
• True/false statements that give reasons tend to be false. Be on the lookout for phrases introduced by reason, because, due to, since.
• Assume statements are true unless you know they are false – if you absolutely must guess, guess true. It is easier to write a true statement than a false one. Unless they make a real effort, test writers will usually have more true than false questions.

Strategies for multiple choice tests

• Use CRAM Method
• If your answer does not match any of the choices, you’ll need to make an educated guess.
• Treat each option as a true/false question. Apply the true/false strategies.
• Eliminate options you know to be incorrect.
• Question choices that are totally unfamiliar to you.
• Once again, question choices with absolutes and options with the highest and lowest numbers – they tend to be false.
• Options that read all of the above, more complete or inclusive answers, or one of two similar-looking options tend to be true.
• Echo options: if two options are opposite each other, chances are one of them is correct
• Search for grammatical clues: All questions follow the rules of grammar. Narrow your choices by eliminating possible answers that do not produce grammatically correct sentences.