Test+Tips

Mrs. Bell’s History Class __AP US History Main__ US History Main

1. Come to class (attendance is critical to success). A “can do” attitude is a key component for success. Coming to class with an enthusiastic and positive state of mind goes a long way. A defeatist attitude is a self fulfilling prophecy that is bound to come true

2. Take detailed notes on the lecture material.

3. Ask questions during the lecture when you do not understand something. Adjust your notes to explain the meaning of the concept in a way that you can understand.

4. Read your notes over every night. DO NOT wait until the night before a test or quiz to start studying. If you "practice" history a little at a time and keep reviewing the older material in the unit, studying for a test will not be so overwhelming.

5. Make flash cards from your notes; that way you can quiz yourself. Writing the notes again will also help you retain more information. This will also allow Mom, Dad, or even a sibling to help you study even if they don't know the topics we have been learning about.

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 37.5pt; tabstops: list 37.5pt; text-indent: -19.5pt;">6. Read the chapter ahead of time so you are familiar with the basic ideas. This also <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 37.5pt; tabstops: list 37.5pt; text-indent: -19.5pt;">gives you an opportunity to think of questions about things you didn’t understand that <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 37.5pt; tabstops: list 37.5pt; text-indent: -19.5pt;">can be answered in class.

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 37.5pt; tabstops: list 37.5pt; text-indent: -19.5pt;">7. Come for tutoring when it is offered. Do this several days before a test. Waiting <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 37.5pt; tabstops: list 37.5pt; text-indent: -19.5pt;">to cram the morning of the test is not a way to promote success.

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 37.5pt; tabstops: list 37.5pt; text-indent: -19.5pt;">8. When you are absent for a test or quiz, make it up immediately. Waiting days, <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 37.5pt; tabstops: list 37.5pt; text-indent: -19.5pt;">weeks, or months to make up tests is going to make it much more difficult for you to <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 37.5pt; tabstops: list 37.5pt; text-indent: -19.5pt;">remember the stuff from “way back when I was absent”. If the information is <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 37.5pt; tabstops: list 37.5pt; text-indent: -19.5pt;">still fresh in your mind, you have a much better chance of being successful on the <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 37.5pt; tabstops: list 37.5pt; text-indent: -19.5pt;">make up test.

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 37.5pt; tabstops: list 37.5pt; text-indent: -19.5pt;">9. Do damage control before it is too late. If you haven’t done great on <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 37.5pt; tabstops: list 37.5pt; text-indent: -19.5pt;">the first couple of assignments, quizzes, or tests, ask for help to fix the problem <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 37.5pt; tabstops: list 37.5pt; text-indent: -19.5pt;">before it is too late in the marking period to save the grade.

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 37.5pt; tabstops: list 37.5pt; text-indent: -19.5pt;">10. Ask for help. I am not a mind reader. You must communicate your concerns and <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 37.5pt; tabstops: list 37.5pt; text-indent: -19.5pt;">questions. **You** are ultimately responsible for your success or failure in my class.