As you read a book or listen to a lecture, think actively about the material. Pay attention to the way it is organized, and how various facts relate to each other. The more you can put material into a meaningful framework, the better you will remember it. Then, rehearsing the material several times will ensure that the material stays in your memory. The rehearsals are best spread out over time, rather than crammed into the night before the test.
Some material lends itself to various memory tricks.
Select a common word that sounds like the one you are memorizing. Then imagine the two words in the same scene. While taking the test you can mentally travel the route, remembering each step as you get to each landmark. The McGraw-Hill Companies. All rights reserved.