There is no substitute for disciplined study habits and anxiety, and acquired knowledge. Test-taking skills are merely tools for students to use during a test, but testwiseness cannot replace knowledge. It is difficult to develop test-taking generalizations that apply equally to the different types of tests at each possible grade level. These test-taking strategies are fundamental principles that will apply to tests at every grade level. If properly taught and learned, these strategies will help most students sharpen their test-taking skills, and as research has verified, improve their test scores.
Preparation is essential to good test performances.
There is no substitute for this strategy. There are no shortcuts to learning and retaining knowledge. Good study habits, such as completing reading assignments promptly, taking notes during class and when reading textbook assignments, listening attentively in class, using time wisely, and completing assignments on time, are all parts of the preparation process. Students who study and review their lessons daily and complete their assignments on time are usually prepared for tests. In preparing for a test, students should be encouraged to predict the questions that will be on the test.