Try the Study Tips . If your troubles persist, come to the Academic Skills Center for advice. The mind has limited working space. If you use the space to hold a picture, you have little room for reasoning. Watch your reading.
Careless reading is a very common cause of error.
Never ignore vague or unfamiliar words. They are always memory tests. If unfamiliar words cost you points, come to the Academic Skills Center for discussion and advise. When stuck, change your approach. If you blank on a topic, try a new approach.