homework prepares students for exams

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Neag School of Education

How to use homework to support student success.

• by: Sandra Chafouleas
• January 13, 2022
• Community Engagement

Editor’s Note: Board of Trustees Distinguished Professor Sandra Chafouleas shares insights on supporting students’ homework during the pandemic in the following piece, which originally appeared  in Psychology Today , where she publishes a blog.

COVID has brought many changes in education. What does it mean for homework?

School assignments that a student is expected to do outside of the regular school day—that’s homework. The general guideline is 10 minutes of nightly homework per grade level beginning after kindergarten. This amounts to just a few minutes for younger elementary students to up to 2 hours for high school students.

The guidance seems straightforward enough, so why is homework such a controversial topic? School disruptions, including extended periods of remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, have magnified the controversies yet also have provided an opportunity to rethink the purpose and value of homework.

Debates about the value of homework center around two primary issues: amount and inequity.

First, the amount of assigned homework may be much more than the recommended guidelines. Families report their children are stressed out over the time spent doing homework. Too much homework can challenge well-being given the restricted time available for sleep, exercise, and social connection. In a 2015 study , for example, parents reported their early elementary children received almost three times the recommended guidelines. In high school, researchers found an average of three hours of homework per night for students living in economically privileged communities.

“ Debates about the value of homework center around two primary issues: amount and inequity.”

Second, homework can perpetuate inequities. Students attending school in less economically privileged communities may receive little to no homework, or have difficulty completing it due to limited access to needed technology. This can translate into fewer opportunities to learn and may contribute to gaps in achievement.

There isn’t a ton of research on the effects of homework, and available studies certainly do not provide a simple answer. For example, a 2006 synthesis of studies suggested a positive influence between homework completion and academic achievement for middle and high school students. Supporters also point out that homework offers additional opportunities to engage in learning and that it can foster independent learning habits such as planning and a sense of responsibility. A more recent study involving 13-year-old students in Spain found higher test scores for those who were regularly assigned homework in math and science, with an optimal time around one hour—which is roughly aligned with recommendations. However, the researchers noted that ability to independently do the work, student effort, and prior achievement were more important contributors than time spent.

Opponents of homework maintain that the academic benefit does not outweigh the toll on well-being. Researchers have observed student stress, physical health problems, and lack of life balance, especially when the time spent goes over the recommended guidelines. In a survey of adolescents , over half reported the amount and type of homework they received to be a primary source of stress in their lives. In addition, vast differences exist in access and availability of supports, such as internet connection, adult assistance, or even a place to call home, as 1.5 million children experience homelessness in the United States

The COVID-19 pandemic has re-energized discussion about homework practices, with the goal to advance recommendations about how, when, and with whom it can be best used. Here’s a summary of key strategies:

Strategies for Educators

Make sure the tasks are meaningful and matched..

First, the motto “ quality over quantity ” can guide decisions about homework. Homework is not busy-work, and instead should get students excited about learning. Emphasize activities that facilitate choice and interest to extend learning, like choose your own reading adventure or math games. Second, each student should be able to complete homework independently with success. Think about Goldilocks: To be effective, assignments should be just right for each learner. One example of how do this efficiently is through online learning platforms that can efficiently adjust to skill level and can be completed in a reasonable amount of time.

Ensure access to resources for task completion.

One step toward equity is to ensure access to necessary resources such as time, space, and materials. Teach students about preparing for homework success, allocating classroom time to model and practice good study habits such as setting up their physical environment, time management, and chunking tasks. Engage in conversations with students and families to problem-solve challenges When needed, connect students with homework supports available through after-school clubs, other community supports, or even within a dedicated block during the school day.

Be open to revisiting homework policies and practices.

The days of penalizing students for not completing homework should be long gone. Homework is a tool for practicing content and learning self-management. With that in mind, provide opportunities for students to communicate needs, and respond by revising assignments or allowing them to turn in on alternative dates. Engage in adult professional learning about high-quality homework , from value (Should I assign this task?) to evaluation (How should this be graded? Did that homework assignment result in expected outcomes?). Monitor how things are going by looking at completion rates and by asking students for their feedback. Be willing to adapt the homework schedule or expectations based on what is learned.

Strategies for Families

Understand how to be a good helper..

When designed appropriately, students should be able to complete homework with independence. Limit homework wars by working to be a good helper. Hovering, micromanaging, or doing homework for them may be easiest in the moment but does not help build their independence. Be a good helper by asking guiding questions, providing hints, or checking for understanding. Focus your assistance on setting up structures for homework success, like space and time.

Use homework as a tool for communication.

Use homework as a vehicle to foster family-school communication. Families can use homework as an opportunity to open conversations about specific assignments or classes, peer relationships, or even sleep quality that may be impacting student success. For younger students, using a daily or weekly home-school notebook or planner can be one way to share information. For older students, help them practice communicating their needs and provide support as needed.

Make sure to balance wellness.

Like adults, children need a healthy work-life balance. Positive social connection and engagement in pleasurable activities are important core principles to foster well-being . Monitor the load of homework and other structured activities to make sure there is time in the daily routine for play. Play can mean different things to different children: getting outside, reading for pleasure, and yes, even gaming. Just try to ensure that activities include a mix of health-focused activities such as physical movement or mindfulness downtime.

The Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) accredits the Neag School of Education at the University of Connecticut. Read more about CAEP Accreditation, including the programs covered and the accountability measures .

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Does Homework Improve Academic Achievement?

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Educators should be thrilled by these numbers. Pleasing a majority of parents regarding homework and having equal numbers of dissenters shouting "too much!" and "too little!" is about as good as they can hope for.

But opinions cannot tell us whether homework works; only research can, which is why my colleagues and I have conducted a combined analysis of dozens of homework studies to examine whether homework is beneficial and what amount of homework is appropriate for our children.

The homework question is best answered by comparing students who are assigned homework with students assigned no homework but who are similar in other ways. The results of such studies suggest that homework can improve students' scores on the class tests that come at the end of a topic. Students assigned homework in 2nd grade did better on math, 3rd and 4th graders did better on English skills and vocabulary, 5th graders on social studies, 9th through 12th graders on American history, and 12th graders on Shakespeare.

Less authoritative are 12 studies that link the amount of homework to achievement, but control for lots of other factors that might influence this connection. These types of studies, often based on national samples of students, also find a positive link between time on homework and achievement.

Yet other studies simply correlate homework and achievement with no attempt to control for student differences. In 35 such studies, about 77 percent find the link between homework and achievement is positive. Most interesting, though, is these results suggest little or no relationship between homework and achievement for elementary school students.

Why might that be? Younger children have less developed study habits and are less able to tune out distractions at home. Studies also suggest that young students who are struggling in school take more time to complete homework assignments simply because these assignments are more difficult for them.

These recommendations are consistent with the conclusions reached by our analysis. Practice assignments do improve scores on class tests at all grade levels. A little amount of homework may help elementary school students build study habits. Homework for junior high students appears to reach the point of diminishing returns after about 90 minutes a night. For high school students, the positive line continues to climb until between 90 minutes and 2½ hours of homework a night, after which returns diminish.

Beyond achievement, proponents of homework argue that it can have many other beneficial effects. They claim it can help students develop good study habits so they are ready to grow as their cognitive capacities mature. It can help students recognize that learning can occur at home as well as at school. Homework can foster independent learning and responsible character traits. And it can give parents an opportunity to see what's going on at school and let them express positive attitudes toward achievement.

Opponents of homework counter that it can also have negative effects. They argue it can lead to boredom with schoolwork, since all activities remain interesting only for so long. Homework can deny students access to leisure activities that also teach important life skills. Parents can get too involved in homework -- pressuring their child and confusing him by using different instructional techniques than the teacher.

My feeling is that homework policies should prescribe amounts of homework consistent with the research evidence, but which also give individual schools and teachers some flexibility to take into account the unique needs and circumstances of their students and families. In general, teachers should avoid either extreme.

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Does Homework Really Help Students Learn?

A conversation with a Wheelock researcher, a BU student, and a fourth-grade teacher

“Quality homework is engaging and relevant to kids’ lives,” says Wheelock’s Janine Bempechat. “It gives them autonomy and engages them in the community and with their families. In some subjects, like math, worksheets can be very helpful. It has to do with the value of practicing over and over.” Photo by iStock/Glenn Cook Photography

Do your homework.

If only it were that simple.

Educators have debated the merits of homework since the late 19th century. In recent years, amid concerns of some parents and teachers that children are being stressed out by too much homework, things have only gotten more fraught.

“Homework is complicated,” says developmental psychologist Janine Bempechat, a Wheelock College of Education & Human Development clinical professor. The author of the essay “ The Case for (Quality) Homework—Why It Improves Learning and How Parents Can Help ” in the winter 2019 issue of Education Next , Bempechat has studied how the debate about homework is influencing teacher preparation, parent and student beliefs about learning, and school policies.

She worries especially about socioeconomically disadvantaged students from low-performing schools who, according to research by Bempechat and others, get little or no homework.

BU Today  sat down with Bempechat and Erin Bruce (Wheelock’17,’18), a new fourth-grade teacher at a suburban Boston school, and future teacher freshman Emma Ardizzone (Wheelock) to talk about what quality homework looks like, how it can help children learn, and how schools can equip teachers to design it, evaluate it, and facilitate parents’ role in it.

BU Today: Parents and educators who are against homework in elementary school say there is no research definitively linking it to academic performance for kids in the early grades. You’ve said that they’re missing the point.

Bempechat : I think teachers assign homework in elementary school as a way to help kids develop skills they’ll need when they’re older—to begin to instill a sense of responsibility and to learn planning and organizational skills. That’s what I think is the greatest value of homework—in cultivating beliefs about learning and skills associated with academic success. If we greatly reduce or eliminate homework in elementary school, we deprive kids and parents of opportunities to instill these important learning habits and skills.

We do know that beginning in late middle school, and continuing through high school, there is a strong and positive correlation between homework completion and academic success.

That’s what I think is the greatest value of homework—in cultivating beliefs about learning and skills associated with academic success.

You talk about the importance of quality homework. What is that?

Quality homework is engaging and relevant to kids’ lives. It gives them autonomy and engages them in the community and with their families. In some subjects, like math, worksheets can be very helpful. It has to do with the value of practicing over and over.

What are your concerns about homework and low-income children?

The argument that some people make—that homework “punishes the poor” because lower-income parents may not be as well-equipped as affluent parents to help their children with homework—is very troubling to me. There are no parents who don’t care about their children’s learning. Parents don’t actually have to help with homework completion in order for kids to do well. They can help in other ways—by helping children organize a study space, providing snacks, being there as a support, helping children work in groups with siblings or friends.

Isn’t the discussion about getting rid of homework happening mostly in affluent communities?

Yes, and the stories we hear of kids being stressed out from too much homework—four or five hours of homework a night—are real. That’s problematic for physical and mental health and overall well-being. But the research shows that higher-income students get a lot more homework than lower-income kids.

Teachers may not have as high expectations for lower-income children. Schools should bear responsibility for providing supports for kids to be able to get their homework done—after-school clubs, community support, peer group support. It does kids a disservice when our expectations are lower for them.

The conversation around homework is to some extent a social class and social justice issue. If we eliminate homework for all children because affluent children have too much, we’re really doing a disservice to low-income children. They need the challenge, and every student can rise to the challenge with enough supports in place.

What did you learn by studying how education schools are preparing future teachers to handle homework?

My colleague, Margarita Jimenez-Silva, at the University of California, Davis, School of Education, and I interviewed faculty members at education schools, as well as supervising teachers, to find out how students are being prepared. And it seemed that they weren’t. There didn’t seem to be any readings on the research, or conversations on what high-quality homework is and how to design it.

Erin, what kind of training did you get in handling homework?

Bruce : I had phenomenal professors at Wheelock, but homework just didn’t come up. I did lots of student teaching. I’ve been in classrooms where the teachers didn’t assign any homework, and I’ve been in rooms where they assigned hours of homework a night. But I never even considered homework as something that was my decision. I just thought it was something I’d pull out of a book and it’d be done.

I started giving homework on the first night of school this year. My first assignment was to go home and draw a picture of the room where you do your homework. I want to know if it’s at a table and if there are chairs around it and if mom’s cooking dinner while you’re doing homework.

The second night I asked them to talk to a grown-up about how are you going to be able to get your homework done during the week. The kids really enjoyed it. There’s a running joke that I’m teaching life skills.

Friday nights, I read all my kids’ responses to me on their homework from the week and it’s wonderful. They pour their hearts out. It’s like we’re having a conversation on my couch Friday night.

It matters to know that the teacher cares about you and that what you think matters to the teacher. Homework is a vehicle to connect home and school…for parents to know teachers are welcoming to them and their families.

Bempechat : I can’t imagine that most new teachers would have the intuition Erin had in designing homework the way she did.

Ardizzone : Conversations with kids about homework, feeling you’re being listened to—that’s such a big part of wanting to do homework….I grew up in Westchester County. It was a pretty demanding school district. My junior year English teacher—I loved her—she would give us feedback, have meetings with all of us. She’d say, “If you have any questions, if you have anything you want to talk about, you can talk to me, here are my office hours.” It felt like she actually cared.

Bempechat : It matters to know that the teacher cares about you and that what you think matters to the teacher. Homework is a vehicle to connect home and school…for parents to know teachers are welcoming to them and their families.

Ardizzone : But can’t it lead to parents being overbearing and too involved in their children’s lives as students?

Bempechat : There’s good help and there’s bad help. The bad help is what you’re describing—when parents hover inappropriately, when they micromanage, when they see their children confused and struggling and tell them what to do.

Good help is when parents recognize there’s a struggle going on and instead ask informative questions: “Where do you think you went wrong?” They give hints, or pointers, rather than saying, “You missed this,” or “You didn’t read that.”

Bruce : I hope something comes of this. I hope BU or Wheelock can think of some way to make this a more pressing issue. As a first-year teacher, it was not something I even thought about on the first day of school—until a kid raised his hand and said, “Do we have homework?” It would have been wonderful if I’d had a plan from day one.

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Senior Contributing Editor

Sara Rimer A journalist for more than three decades, Sara Rimer worked at the Miami Herald , Washington Post and, for 26 years, the New York Times , where she was the New England bureau chief, and a national reporter covering education, aging, immigration, and other social justice issues. Her stories on the death penalty’s inequities were nominated for a Pulitzer Prize and cited in the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision outlawing the execution of people with intellectual disabilities. Her journalism honors include Columbia University’s Meyer Berger award for in-depth human interest reporting. She holds a BA degree in American Studies from the University of Michigan. Profile

She can be reached at [email protected] .

Comments & Discussion

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There are 81 comments on Does Homework Really Help Students Learn?

Insightful! The values about homework in elementary schools are well aligned with my intuition as a parent.

when i finish my work i do my homework and i sometimes forget what to do because i did not get enough sleep

same omg it does not help me it is stressful and if I have it in more than one class I hate it.

Same I think my parent wants to help me but, she doesn’t care if I get bad grades so I just try my best and my grades are great.

I think that last question about Good help from parents is not know to all parents, we do as our parents did or how we best think it can be done, so maybe coaching parents or giving them resources on how to help with homework would be very beneficial for the parent on how to help and for the teacher to have consistency and improve homework results, and of course for the child. I do see how homework helps reaffirm the knowledge obtained in the classroom, I also have the ability to see progress and it is a time I share with my kids

The answer to the headline question is a no-brainer – a more pressing problem is why there is a difference in how students from different cultures succeed. Perfect example is the student population at BU – why is there a majority population of Asian students and only about 3% black students at BU? In fact at some universities there are law suits by Asians to stop discrimination and quotas against admitting Asian students because the real truth is that as a group they are demonstrating better qualifications for admittance, while at the same time there are quotas and reduced requirements for black students to boost their portion of the student population because as a group they do more poorly in meeting admissions standards – and it is not about the Benjamins. The real problem is that in our PC society no one has the gazuntas to explore this issue as it may reveal that all people are not created equal after all. Or is it just environmental cultural differences??????

I get you have a concern about the issue but that is not even what the point of this article is about. If you have an issue please take this to the site we have and only post your opinion about the actual topic

This is not at all what the article is talking about.

This literally has nothing to do with the article brought up. You should really take your opinions somewhere else before you speak about something that doesn’t make sense.

we have the same name

so they have the same name what of it?

lol you tell her

totally agree

What does that have to do with homework, that is not what the article talks about AT ALL.

Yes, I think homework plays an important role in the development of student life. Through homework, students have to face challenges on a daily basis and they try to solve them quickly.I am an intense online tutor at 24x7homeworkhelp and I give homework to my students at that level in which they handle it easily.

More than two-thirds of students said they used alcohol and drugs, primarily marijuana, to cope with stress.

You know what’s funny? I got this assignment to write an argument for homework about homework and this article was really helpful and understandable, and I also agree with this article’s point of view.

I also got the same task as you! I was looking for some good resources and I found this! I really found this article useful and easy to understand, just like you! ^^

i think that homework is the best thing that a child can have on the school because it help them with their thinking and memory.

I am a child myself and i think homework is a terrific pass time because i can’t play video games during the week. It also helps me set goals.

Homework is not harmful ,but it will if there is too much

I feel like, from a minors point of view that we shouldn’t get homework. Not only is the homework stressful, but it takes us away from relaxing and being social. For example, me and my friends was supposed to hang at the mall last week but we had to postpone it since we all had some sort of work to do. Our minds shouldn’t be focused on finishing an assignment that in realty, doesn’t matter. I completely understand that we should have homework. I have to write a paper on the unimportance of homework so thanks.

homework isn’t that bad

Are you a student? if not then i don’t really think you know how much and how severe todays homework really is

i am a student and i do not enjoy homework because i practice my sport 4 out of the five days we have school for 4 hours and that’s not even counting the commute time or the fact i still have to shower and eat dinner when i get home. its draining!

i totally agree with you. these people are such boomers

why just why

they do make a really good point, i think that there should be a limit though. hours and hours of homework can be really stressful, and the extra work isn’t making a difference to our learning, but i do believe homework should be optional and extra credit. that would make it for students to not have the leaning stress of a assignment and if you have a low grade you you can catch up.

Studies show that homework improves student achievement in terms of improved grades, test results, and the likelihood to attend college. Research published in the High School Journal indicates that students who spent between 31 and 90 minutes each day on homework “scored about 40 points higher on the SAT-Mathematics subtest than their peers, who reported spending no time on homework each day, on average.” On both standardized tests and grades, students in classes that were assigned homework outperformed 69% of students who didn’t have homework. A majority of studies on homework’s impact – 64% in one meta-study and 72% in another – showed that take home assignments were effective at improving academic achievement. Research by the Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA) concluded that increased homework led to better GPAs and higher probability of college attendance for high school boys. In fact, boys who attended college did more than three hours of additional homework per week in high school.

So how are your measuring student achievement? That’s the real question. The argument that doing homework is simply a tool for teaching responsibility isn’t enough for me. We can teach responsibility in a number of ways. Also the poor argument that parents don’t need to help with homework, and that students can do it on their own, is wishful thinking at best. It completely ignores neurodiverse students. Students in poverty aren’t magically going to find a space to do homework, a friend’s or siblings to help them do it, and snacks to eat. I feel like the author of this piece has never set foot in a classroom of students.

THIS. This article is pathetic coming from a university. So intellectually dishonest, refusing to address the havoc of capitalism and poverty plays on academic success in life. How can they in one sentence use poor kids in an argument and never once address that poor children have access to damn near 0 of the resources affluent kids have? Draw me a picture and let’s talk about feelings lmao what a joke is that gonna put food in their belly so they can have the calories to burn in order to use their brain to study? What about quiet their 7 other siblings that they share a single bedroom with for hours? Is it gonna force the single mom to magically be at home and at work at the same time to cook food while you study and be there to throw an encouraging word?

Also the “parents don’t need to be a parent and be able to guide their kid at all academically they just need to exist in the next room” is wild. Its one thing if a parent straight up is not equipped but to say kids can just figured it out is…. wow coming from an educator What’s next the teacher doesn’t need to teach cause the kid can just follow the packet and figure it out?

Well then get a tutor right? Oh wait you are poor only affluent kids can afford a tutor for their hours of homework a day were they on average have none of the worries a poor child does. Does this address that poor children are more likely to also suffer abuse and mental illness? Like mentioned what about kids that can’t learn or comprehend the forced standardized way? Just let em fail? These children regularly are not in “special education”(some of those are a joke in their own and full of neglect and abuse) programs cause most aren’t even acknowledged as having disabilities or disorders.

But yes all and all those pesky poor kids just aren’t being worked hard enough lol pretty sure poor children’s existence just in childhood is more work, stress, and responsibility alone than an affluent child’s entire life cycle. Love they never once talked about the quality of education in the classroom being so bad between the poor and affluent it can qualify as segregation, just basically blamed poor people for being lazy, good job capitalism for failing us once again!

why the hell?

you should feel bad for saying this, this article can be helpful for people who has to write a essay about it

This is more of a political rant than it is about homework

I know a teacher who has told his students their homework is to find something they are interested in, pursue it and then come share what they learn. The student responses are quite compelling. One girl taught herself German so she could talk to her grandfather. One boy did a research project on Nelson Mandela because the teacher had mentioned him in class. Another boy, a both on the autism spectrum, fixed his family’s computer. The list goes on. This is fourth grade. I think students are highly motivated to learn, when we step aside and encourage them.

The whole point of homework is to give the students a chance to use the material that they have been presented with in class. If they never have the opportunity to use that information, and discover that it is actually useful, it will be in one ear and out the other. As a science teacher, it is critical that the students are challenged to use the material they have been presented with, which gives them the opportunity to actually think about it rather than regurgitate “facts”. Well designed homework forces the student to think conceptually, as opposed to regurgitation, which is never a pretty sight

Wonderful discussion. and yes, homework helps in learning and building skills in students.

not true it just causes kids to stress

Homework can be both beneficial and unuseful, if you will. There are students who are gifted in all subjects in school and ones with disabilities. Why should the students who are gifted get the lucky break, whereas the people who have disabilities suffer? The people who were born with this “gift” go through school with ease whereas people with disabilities struggle with the work given to them. I speak from experience because I am one of those students: the ones with disabilities. Homework doesn’t benefit “us”, it only tears us down and put us in an abyss of confusion and stress and hopelessness because we can’t learn as fast as others. Or we can’t handle the amount of work given whereas the gifted students go through it with ease. It just brings us down and makes us feel lost; because no mater what, it feels like we are destined to fail. It feels like we weren’t “cut out” for success.

homework does help

here is the thing though, if a child is shoved in the face with a whole ton of homework that isn’t really even considered homework it is assignments, it’s not helpful. the teacher should make homework more of a fun learning experience rather than something that is dreaded

This article was wonderful, I am going to ask my teachers about extra, or at all giving homework.

I agree. Especially when you have homework before an exam. Which is distasteful as you’ll need that time to study. It doesn’t make any sense, nor does us doing homework really matters as It’s just facts thrown at us.

Homework is too severe and is just too much for students, schools need to decrease the amount of homework. When teachers assign homework they forget that the students have other classes that give them the same amount of homework each day. Students need to work on social skills and life skills.

I disagree.

Beyond achievement, proponents of homework argue that it can have many other beneficial effects. They claim it can help students develop good study habits so they are ready to grow as their cognitive capacities mature. It can help students recognize that learning can occur at home as well as at school. Homework can foster independent learning and responsible character traits. And it can give parents an opportunity to see what’s going on at school and let them express positive attitudes toward achievement.

Homework is helpful because homework helps us by teaching us how to learn a specific topic.

As a student myself, I can say that I have almost never gotten the full 9 hours of recommended sleep time, because of homework. (Now I’m writing an essay on it in the middle of the night D=)

I am a 10 year old kid doing a report about “Is homework good or bad” for homework before i was going to do homework is bad but the sources from this site changed my mind!

Homeowkr is god for stusenrs

I agree with hunter because homework can be so stressful especially with this whole covid thing no one has time for homework and every one just wants to get back to there normal lives it is especially stressful when you go on a 2 week vaca 3 weeks into the new school year and and then less then a week after you come back from the vaca you are out for over a month because of covid and you have no way to get the assignment done and turned in

As great as homework is said to be in the is article, I feel like the viewpoint of the students was left out. Every where I go on the internet researching about this topic it almost always has interviews from teachers, professors, and the like. However isn’t that a little biased? Of course teachers are going to be for homework, they’re not the ones that have to stay up past midnight completing the homework from not just one class, but all of them. I just feel like this site is one-sided and you should include what the students of today think of spending four hours every night completing 6-8 classes worth of work.

Are we talking about homework or practice? Those are two very different things and can result in different outcomes.

Homework is a graded assignment. I do not know of research showing the benefits of graded assignments going home.

Practice; however, can be extremely beneficial, especially if there is some sort of feedback (not a grade but feedback). That feedback can come from the teacher, another student or even an automated grading program.

As a former band director, I assigned daily practice. I never once thought it would be appropriate for me to require the students to turn in a recording of their practice for me to grade. Instead, I had in-class assignments/assessments that were graded and directly related to the practice assigned.

I would really like to read articles on “homework” that truly distinguish between the two.

oof i feel bad good luck!

thank you guys for the artical because I have to finish an assingment. yes i did cite it but just thanks

thx for the article guys.

Homework is good

I think homework is helpful AND harmful. Sometimes u can’t get sleep bc of homework but it helps u practice for school too so idk.

I agree with this Article. And does anyone know when this was published. I would like to know.

It was published FEb 19, 2019.

Studies have shown that homework improved student achievement in terms of improved grades, test results, and the likelihood to attend college.

i think homework can help kids but at the same time not help kids

This article is so out of touch with majority of homes it would be laughable if it wasn’t so incredibly sad.

There is no value to homework all it does is add stress to already stressed homes. Parents or adults magically having the time or energy to shepherd kids through homework is dome sort of 1950’s fantasy.

What lala land do these teachers live in?

Homework gives noting to the kid

Homework is Bad

homework is bad.

why do kids even have homework?

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7 Ways to Help Prepare Students for Exams

Exams often carry the most weight for a student's grade. Setting them up for success means offering a few tried and true methods to study, but maybe a few new techniques as well.

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14 Tips for Test Taking Success

Worried about getting through your next big exam? Here are 14 test taking strategies that can help you do your best on your next test.

Mary Sharp Emerson

From pop quizzes to standardized tests, exams are an important part of the life of every high school student.

The best way to ensure that you’ll get the grade you want is to understand the material thoroughly. Good test taking skills, however, can help make the difference between a top grade and an average one. Mastering these skills can also help reduce stress and relieve test-taking anxiety. 

In this blog, we’ve divided our tips for test taking into two categories: seven things you can do to prepare for your next exam and seven things you should do once the test begins. We’ve also included four strategies that can help with test taking anxiety.

We hope these test taking tips will help you succeed the next time you are facing an exam, big or small!

Seven Best Strategies for Test Prep

You’ve probably heard the quote (originally credited to Alexander Graham Bell): “Preparation is the key to success.”

When it comes to test taking, these are words to live by. 

Here are the seven best things you can do to make sure you are prepared for your next test.

1. Cultivate Good Study Habits

Understanding and remembering information for a test takes time, so developing good study habits long before test day is really important. 

Do your homework assignments carefully, and turn them in on time. Review your notes daily. Write out your own study guides. Take advantage of any practice tests your teacher gives you, or even create your own. 

These simple steps, when done habitually, will help ensure that you really know your stuff come test day. 

2. Don’t “Cram”

It might seem like a good idea to spend hours memorizing the material you need the night before the test.

In fact, cramming for a test is highly counterproductive. Not only are you less likely to retain the information you need, cramming also increases stress, negatively impacts sleep, and decreases your overall preparedness.

So avoid the temptation to stay up late reviewing your notes. Last minute cramming is far less likely to improve your grade than developing good study habits and getting a good night’s sleep.

3. Gather Materials the Night Before

Before going to bed (early, so you get a good night’s sleep), gather everything you need for the test and have it ready to go. 

Having everything ready the night before will help you feel more confident and will minimize stress on the morning of the test. And it will give you a few extra minutes to sleep and eat a healthy breakfast.

4. Get a Good Night’s Sleep

And speaking of sleep…showing up to your test well-rested is one of the best things you can do to succeed on test day.

Why should you make sleep a priority ? A good night’s sleep will help you think more clearly during the test. It will also make it easier to cope with test-taking stress and anxiety. Moreover, excellent sleep habits have been shown to consolidate memory and improve academic performance, as well as reduce the risk of depression and other mental health disorders. 

5. Eat a Healthy Breakfast

Like sleeping, eating is an important part of self-care and test taking preparation. After all, it’s hard to think clearly if your stomach is grumbling.

As tough as it can be to eat when you’re nervous or rushing out the door, plan time in your morning on test day to eat a healthy breakfast. 

A mix of complex carbohydrates and healthy protein will keep you feeling full without making you feel sluggish. Whole wheat cereal, eggs, oatmeal, berries, and nuts may be great choices (depending on your personal dietary needs and preferences). It’s best to avoid foods that are high in sugar, as they can give you a rush of energy that will wear off quickly, leaving you feeling tired.

And don’t forget to drink plenty of water. If possible, bring a bottle of water with you on test day.

6. Arrive Early

Arriving early at a test location can help decrease stress. And it allows you to get into a positive state of mind before the test starts. 

Choose your seat as soon as possible. Organize your materials so they are readily available when you need them. Make sure you are physically comfortable (as much as possible). 

By settling in early, you are giving yourself time to get organized, relaxed, and mentally ready for the test to begin. Even in a high school setting, maximizing the time you have in the test classroom—even if it’s just a couple of minutes—can help you feel more comfortable, settled, and focused before the test begins. 

7. Develop Positive Rituals

Don’t underestimate the importance of confidence and a positive mindset in test preparation. 

Positive rituals can help combat negative thinking, test anxiety, and lack of focus that can easily undermine your success on test day. Plan some extra time to go for a short walk or listen to your favorite music. Engage in simple breathing exercises. Visualize yourself succeeding on the test. 

Your rituals can be totally unique to you. The important thing is developing a calming habit that will boost your confidence, attitude, and concentration when the test begins.

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Seven Best Test-Taking Tips for Success

You have gotten a good night’s sleep, eaten a healthy breakfast, arrived early, and done your positive test-day ritual. You are ready to start the test! 

Different types of tests require different test taking strategies. You may not want to approach a math test the same way you would an essay test, for example. And some computerized tests such as SATs require you to work through the test in a specific way.

However, there are some general test taking strategies that will improve your chances of getting the grade you want on most, if not all, tests. 

1. Listen to the Instructions

Once the test is front of you, it’s tempting to block everything out so you can get started right away. 

Doing so, however, could cause you to miss out on critical information about the test itself.

The teacher or proctor may offer details about the structure of the test, time limitations, grading techniques, or other items that could impact your approach. They may also point out steps that you are likely to miss or other tips to help improve your chances of success. 

So be sure to pay close attention to their instructions before you get started.

2. Read the Entire Test

If possible, look over the entire test quickly before you get started. Doing so will help you understand the structure of the test and identify areas that may need more or less time. 

Once you read over the test, you can plan out how you want to approach each section of the test to ensure that you can complete the entire test within the allotted time.

3. Do a “Brain Dump”

For certain types of tests, remembering facts, data, or formulas is key. For these tests, it can be helpful to take a few minutes to write down all the information you need on a scrap paper before you get started. 

Putting that important information on paper can relieve stress and help you focus on the test questions without worrying about your ability to recall the facts. And now you have a kind of “cheat sheet” to refer to throughout the test!

4. Answer the Questions You Know First

When possible, do a first pass through the test to answer the “easy” questions or the ones you know right away. When you come to a question that you can’t answer (relatively) quickly, skip it on this first pass. 

Don’t rush through this first pass, but do be mindful of time—you’ll want to leave yourself enough time to go back and answer the questions you skipped. 

* It’s important to remember that this technique is not possible on some tests. Standardized computer-based tests often do not allow you to skip questions and return to them later. On these types of tests, you will need to work through each problem in order instead of skipping around. 

5. Answer the Questions You Skipped

Once you’ve done a first pass, you now have to go back and answer the questions you skipped.

In the best case scenario, you might find some of these questions aren’t as challenging as you thought at first. Your mind is warmed up and you are fully engaged and focused at this point in the test. And answering the questions you know easily may have reminded you of the details you need for these questions.

Of course you may still struggle with some of the questions, and that’s okay. Hopefully doing a first pass somewhat quickly allows you to take your time with the more challenging questions.

6. Be Sure the Test is Complete

Once you think you’ve answered all the questions, double check to make sure you didn’t miss any. Check for additional questions on the back of the paper, for instance, or other places that you might have missed or not noticed during your initial read-through.

A common question is whether you should skip questions that you can’t answer. It’s not possible to answer that question in a general sense: it depends on the specific test and the teacher’s rules. It may also depend on the value of each individual question, and whether your teacher gives partial credit.

But, if you’re not penalized for a wrong answer or you are penalized for leaving an answer blank, it is probably better to put something down than nothing.

7. Check Your Work

Finally, if you have time left, go back through the test and check your answers. 

Read over short answer and essay questions to check for typos, points you may have missed, or better ways to phrase your answers. If there were multiple components to the question, make sure you answered all of them. Double check your answers on math questions in case you made a small error that impacts the final answer. You don’t want to overthink answers, but a doublecheck can help you find—and correct—obvious mistakes.

Four Ways to Cope with Test-Taking Anxiety

Nearly every student gets nervous before a test at some point, especially if the exam is an important one. If you are lucky, your pre-test nervousness is mild and can be mitigated by these test taking tips. 

A mild case of nerves can even be somewhat beneficial (if uncomfortable); the surge of adrenaline at the root of a nervous feeling can keep you focused and energized.

For some students, however, test taking anxiety—a form of performance anxiety—can be debilitating and overwhelming. This level of anxiety can be extremely difficult to cope with. 

However, there are a few things you can do before and during a test to help cope with more severe stress and anxiety:

1. Take a Meditation or Sitting Stretch Break

Take a minute or two before or even during a test to focus on your breathing, relax tense muscles, do a quick positive visualization, or stretch your limbs. The calming effect can be beneficial and worth a few minutes of test time. 

2. Replace Negative Thoughts with Positive Ones

Learn to recognize when your brain is caught in a cycle of negative thinking and practice turning negative thoughts into positive ones. For example, when you catch yourself saying “I’m going to fail”, force yourself to say “I’m going to succeed” instead. With practice, this can be a powerful technique to break the cycle of negative thinking undermining your confidence.

3. Mistakes are Learning Opportunities

It’s easy to get caught up in worrying about a bad grade. Instead, remind yourself that it’s ok to make mistakes. A wrong answer on a test is an opportunity to understand where you need to fill in a gap in your knowledge or spend some extra time studying. 

4. Seek Professional Help

Test taking anxiety is very real and should be taken seriously. If you find that your anxiety does not respond to these calming tips, it’s time to seek professional help. Your guidance counselor or a therapist may be able to offer long-term strategies for coping with test taking anxiety. Talk with your parents or guardians about finding someone to help you cope.

Following these test taking tips can’t guarantee that you will get an A on your next big test. Only hard work and lots of study time can do that. 

However, these test taking strategies can help you feel more confident and perform better on test day. Tests may be an inevitable part of student life, but with preparation and confidence, you can succeed on them all!

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About the Author

Digital Content Producer

Emerson is a Digital Content Producer at Harvard DCE. She is a graduate of Brandeis University and Yale University and started her career as an international affairs analyst. She is an avid triathlete and has completed three Ironman triathlons, as well as the Boston Marathon.

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Published september 18, 2023 in general, the ultimate guide to homework: tips and tricks for success, by scholarly, introduction.

Welcome to the ultimate guide to homework! In this article, we will explore various tips and tricks that can help you succeed in your homework assignments and achieve academic excellence.

In the past, homework was primarily viewed as a means to reinforce what was taught in the classroom. Students would typically receive assignments to practice and apply the concepts learned during class hours. The focus was more on repetitive practice and memorization.

Current State

Today, the purpose of homework has evolved. It is now seen as a way to enhance learning, promote critical thinking, and develop essential skills such as time management and self-discipline. Homework assignments often involve research, problem-solving, and creative expression.

Future State

As education continues to evolve, the future of homework may incorporate more technology-driven tools and platforms. Artificial intelligence (AI) can play a significant role in automating tasks, providing personalized feedback, and optimizing the learning experience.

Enhances Learning: Homework assignments provide an opportunity to reinforce concepts learned in class and deepen understanding.

Develops Critical Thinking Skills: By analyzing and solving problems independently, homework encourages students to develop critical thinking skills.

Promotes Time Management: Homework teaches students to manage their time effectively and meet deadlines.

Prepares for Exams: Regular homework assignments help students review and prepare for exams.

Encourages Self-Discipline: By completing homework consistently, students cultivate self-discipline, a key trait for success in academics and beyond.

Significance

Homework is significant in the education system for several reasons. Firstly, it reinforces learning and helps students retain information better. Secondly, it prepares students for exams and assessments. Thirdly, it develops essential skills such as time management, organization, and critical thinking. Lastly, homework prepares students for real-life scenarios where they will be required to work independently and manage tasks effectively.

Best Practices

Create a Schedule: Establish a homework schedule and stick to it consistently. This will help you manage your time effectively and avoid procrastination.

Break Tasks into Smaller Chunks: Split larger assignments into smaller, manageable tasks. This will make the workload more manageable and prevent overwhelm.

Eliminate Distractions: Find a quiet and distraction-free environment to do your homework. Turn off notifications on your phone and avoid social media while working.

Seek Clarification: If you are unsure about a homework task or concept, don't hesitate to ask your teacher or classmates for clarification.

Review and Reflect: Take time to review completed assignments and reflect on what you have learned. This will reinforce your understanding and help you identify areas that need improvement.

Pros and Cons

Opportunity for Practice: Homework provides an opportunity for students to practice and apply what they have learned.

Enhances Learning: By engaging with homework assignments, students can deepen their understanding of concepts and develop critical thinking skills.

Preparation for Exams: Homework prepares students for exams by providing regular practice and review.

Promotes Independence: Completing homework independently cultivates self-discipline and prepares students for real-world tasks.

Feedback and Improvement: Through homework assignments, teachers can provide feedback and help students identify areas for improvement.

Excessive Workload: Excessive amounts of homework can lead to stress and burnout, affecting students' well-being.

Lack of Individualization: Homework assignments may not cater to individual learning styles and needs.

Time Constraints: Heavy homework loads can leave students with little time for extracurricular activities and personal interests.

Cheating and Plagiarism: In some cases, students may resort to cheating or plagiarism to complete their homework assignments.

Inequity: Not all students have access to the same resources and support to complete homework assignments, leading to inequity in academic performance.

When it comes to completing homework, there are several online tools and resources available to assist students in various subjects. Here are some popular options:

Scholarly - Scholarly is an AI-powered study tool that offers text completion, flashcard creation, auto-complete, and more. It helps students enhance their understanding of concepts and streamline their homework process. Sign up for Scholarly to unleash the power of AI in your homework.

Khan Academy - Khan Academy provides a wide range of educational resources, including video lessons, practice exercises, and quizzes. It covers various subjects and is especially useful for concept reinforcement.

Quizlet - Quizlet offers a platform for creating and studying flashcards. It provides options for self-paced learning and interactive study games to make homework engaging.

Grammarly - Grammarly is a writing assistant that helps students improve their writing skills. It detects grammar and spelling errors, suggests corrections, and provides writing style suggestions.

Wolfram Alpha - Wolfram Alpha is a computational knowledge engine that can help with complex calculations, math problems, and data analysis. It serves as a valuable tool for subjects such as mathematics, science, and economics.

Method 1: Prioritize and Plan

Title: Prioritize and Plan

Description: Assess the importance and deadlines of your homework assignments. Prioritize tasks based on urgency and plan a schedule to complete them.

Content: Start by creating a list of all your homework assignments and their respective deadlines. Assess the importance and urgency of each task. Consider the time and effort required for each assignment. Once you have prioritized the tasks, plan a schedule that allows you to allocate sufficient time for each assignment.

Method 2: Break Down Complex Tasks

Title: Break Down Complex Tasks

Description: When faced with complex homework assignments, break them down into smaller, manageable tasks.

Content: Complex tasks can often be overwhelming and lead to procrastination. To tackle such assignments effectively, break them down into smaller, manageable tasks. Create a step-by-step plan to approach each task. This approach will make the workload more manageable and help you stay motivated.

Method 3: Seek Help and Resources

Title: Seek Help and Resources

Description: Don't hesitate to seek help and utilize available resources when facing challenges with your homework.

Content: If you find yourself struggling with a particular homework assignment or concept, don't hesitate to seek help. Reach out to your teacher, classmates, or online resources for assistance. Utilize textbooks, online tutorials, and educational websites to find additional explanations and examples. Remember, seeking help is a sign of initiative and a commitment to your academic success.

Method 4: Create an Ideal Study Environment

Title: Create an Ideal Study Environment

Description: Find a suitable study environment that minimizes distractions and promotes focus.

Content: Choose a quiet and well-lit area for studying. Eliminate distractions such as noise, clutter, and electronic devices. Create a comfortable and organized space that encourages productivity. Consider using tools like noise-cancelling headphones or background music to enhance concentration.

AI Applications

Artificial intelligence can revolutionize the way we approach homework. It can provide personalized learning experiences, optimize study materials, and automate repetitive tasks such as grading. AI-powered tools like Scholarly can assist students in generating text, creating flashcards, and studying efficiently.

AI Techniques

AI techniques such as natural language processing and machine learning can be employed to analyze student performance, provide targeted feedback, and adapt learning materials based on individual needs. These techniques can enhance the effectiveness of homework assignments and improve learning outcomes.

AI Benefits

AI-powered homework tools offer several benefits, including:

• Personalized learning experiences
• Efficient study material generation
• Time-saving automation
• Adaptive feedback and recommendations

AI Challenges

Despite the potential benefits, there are also challenges associated with AI in homework:

• Data privacy and security concerns
• Lack of human interaction in the learning process
• Potential biases in automated grading systems
• Access and equity issues

AI Online Apps

Scholarly - Scholarly offers AI-generated text completion, flashcard creation, auto-complete, and other features to streamline your homework process. Sign up for Scholarly and experience the power of AI in your studies.

Grammarly - Grammarly's AI-powered writing assistant helps students improve their writing skills and ensure grammatical accuracy in their homework assignments.

Quizlet - Quizlet's learning platform utilizes AI to create interactive study sets and practice quizzes for various subjects.

Photomath - Photomath allows students to solve math problems by simply taking a photo of the equations. It utilizes AI to recognize and solve the equations.

Google Classroom - Google Classroom incorporates AI features to facilitate online learning, assignment management, and class communication.

In conclusion, homework plays a crucial role in education, providing opportunities for learning, development of vital skills, and preparation for exams. By following best practices, considering the pros and cons of homework, leveraging online tools, and embracing the potential of AI, you can make your homework experience more efficient and rewarding. Remember to create a schedule, break down complex tasks, seek help when needed, and create an ideal study environment. With dedication and the right strategies, you can excel in your homework assignments and achieve academic success.

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Articles & Advice > Majors and Academics > Articles

Our Best Advice for Homework, Studying, and Tests

Homework, studying, and tests, oh my! There's just so much work to be done, but don't stress. You can make your studies easier by checking out our best advice.

by CollegeXpress

Last Updated: Sep 5, 2023

Originally Posted: Nov 26, 2021

Homework, studying, and tests make up a huge bulk of your academic life whether you’re in high school or college—and they can also be difficult and draining. So to help you get through this semester and beyond, we’ve compiled our best advice to help you get your schoolwork done. From tips to work smarter to playlists for your study sessions to the best snacks for your brain power, we’ve got everything you need right here to ace all your assignments and tests. (And don’t worry about any content labeled “for college students” or “high school”; most of this advice can help students of any age.) Good luck with your studies!

Learning how you study best

• Infographic: Find Your Learning Style and Study Smarter : You know the saying: Study smarter, not harder. And there's no smarter way to study than figuring out how you learn best.
• 5 Smart Study Tips for All Students : Some things about studying don’t change whether you’re in high school or college. These five tips will help you study smarter for better grades at any level.
• 5 College Study Tips That Will Make Your Life Easier : Despite the previous advice, a lot of things about studying will change when you get to college. Here are five tips to make the transition easier.
• 6 Creative Study Tips for College Students : These creative study methods will help you refine your study approach for your learning style so you can enjoy it a little more along the way.
• 5 Things You Need for Your Next Study Session : Any good study session should include a few key things. So before you kick it off, make sure you set yourself up for success.
• Top 5 Study Tips From a College Freshman : Who better to give you study tips than a college freshman who’s learned how to adapt from high school to college-level schoolwork? Check out their insider advice!

Boosting your academic skills

• How to Improve Your Time Management and Study Skills : Worried about doing well in all your classes with so much homework, so many tests to study for, and not enough time in the day? Don’t be! Here’s some great advice to make it work. 
• How to Get Organized and Manage Your Time as a High School Student : Struggling to get it together? These simple tips can help you get organized, get homework done efficiently, and manage your time better in high school.
• How Can I Improve My Memorization for School? : While memorization isn't the ideal way to learn, sometimes it's needed. One of our experts has eight quick methods for you to try out.
• How to Balance Homework and Internships in High School : A big part of being responsible with your academics is learning how to balance them with everything else. Here’s how you can succeed in your classes and an after-school internship.
• A Step-by-Step Guide for an Effective Research Paper : Mastering the art of the research paper is one thing you need to learn for college. Here are some tips for effective writing.
• Video: Top 10 Ways to Avoid Procrastination : Procrastination is the killer of all productivity. A sure-fire way to boost your academic skills is to stop procrastinating and do the work with these 10 tips.

Preparing for finals and AP tests

• 3 Important Tricks to Help You Survive Finals Week : Wondering just how you’re going to make it through finals? Here are three keys to making it out alive by the end of your tests.
• 21 Apps to Get You Through Finals This Semester : Finals week is always a stressful time, and even more so if you have to manage finals from home. Here are 21 apps that will make exam season easier.
• 9 Study Tips to Help You Conquer AP Tests : Whether you're tackling your very first test this year or prepping for your very last one, these 10 study tips will help you score high on any AP exam.
• The 5 Best Ways to Handle AP Exam Stress : It’s never too early to prepare yourself for AP tests, but it certainly can be too late. Here’s some advice for handling AP exam stress to prep you ahead of time.
• Poetry Study Guide for AP English Language & Literature : Check out our quick poetry review that can help you score high on AP English tests, both Literature and Language.

Studying for standardized tests

• When Should I Start Studying for the ACT or SAT? : If you're wondering when to start studying for standardized tests, that’s good news—you probably like to be prepared, which can only help you ace your exam. Here's some expert advice on when to start prepping.
• How to Prepare for the ACT, SAT, and Other Tests : This standardized test guide covers the ACT, SAT, AP tests, and more. It's basically everything you need to know to get ready for your high school exams!
• 2 Easy Study Tips for Both Admission and Language Tests : The SAT. The ACT. AP tests. And the TOEFL too? International students have a lot to juggle, but the test prep pros at Magoosh are here for you.
• 4 Awesome (and Free) SAT Prep Resources : Looking for resources to help you get ready for the SAT? Check out these four fun, easy-to-use, and totally free online test prep resources!
• The Best ACT Test Prep Sites, Books, and More : These are simply the best ACT prep resources available, from websites to books and beyond, plus other helpful tips for doing well on this college admission test.
• How to Tackle the Hardest Parts of the ACT : The ACT is pretty tough overall, but some sections are more difficult than others! Luckily, familiarizing yourself with the harder parts can help you maximize your study time.

Taking care of yourself

• How Important Is Sleep to Academic Success? : Better sleep is a key component to better studying in college. Here's how you can improve your sleep and in turn boost your academic performance.
• The Best Study Snacks for Healthy Eating in College : With finals stress, a lot of students turn to food for comfort and not always in the best way. Read on to learn how to snack healthily this finals season.
• Feeling Burnt Out? 5 Steps to Get Back on Track : If you feel like you're in a studying rut, here are five ways to fight burnout and work your way out of it.
• College Stress Solutions for Academic Anxiety : Stress from college coursework is no joke, but there are methods you can employ to ease that stress, including these solutions from a college expert.
• How to Create Smart, Long-Lasting Habits in High School : It's important to develop good study skills and healthy habits that you can carry from high school to college. Read these tips and find what works best for you!

Making your studies more fun

• 5 Simple Ways You Can Make Studying More Fun : How do you make studying more fun? It's often a matter of managing your time, scheduling intensive periods as well as breaks, giving yourself small rewards, and creating the right environment.
• Great Study Playlists for All Your High School Classes : Who doesn't need a little musical inspiration to face their chemistry homework head on? These four playlists for all types of classes should do the trick!
• Top 5 Ambience Playlists to Soundtrack Your Studies : Looking for a great instrumental playlist to create the perfect distraction-free atmosphere for studying? Check out student writer Hailey's top picks on YouTube and Spotify!
• Easy Ways to Make Studying for Standardized Tests Fun : We know, we know—studying for standardized tests is never going to actually be fun, but these ideas can certainly make it more bearable and enjoyable to get through.
• Fun SAT Vocab Prep With the Dictionary of Difficult Words : The Dictionary of Difficult Words is a children's book that's useful for all ages, especially students studying for the SAT. Unwind and review your vocab at the same time with this unconventional test prep book!
• The CollegeXpress SAT Word Game : Our SAT Word Game will help you study for the test and participate in a little friendly competition with other CollegeXpress students. Can you make it on our leaderboard?

We've compiled our top-tier content for other topics too, like how to find internships and the best advice for transferring. Check them out using the tag  "our best advice."

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Choose Your Test

Sat / act prep online guides and tips, how to study for a test: 17 expert tips.

Other High School

Do you have a big exam coming up, but you're not sure how to prepare for it? Are you looking to improve your grades or keep them strong but don't know the best way to do this? We're here to help! In this guide, we've compiled the 17 best tips for how to study for a test. No matter what grade you're in or what subject you're studying, these tips will give you ways to study faster and more effectively. If you're tired of studying for hours only to forget everything when it comes time to take a test, follow these tips so you can be well prepared for any exam you take.

How to Study for a Test: General Tips

The four tips below are useful for any test or class you're preparing for. Learn the best way to study for a test from these tips and be prepared for any future exams you take.

#1: Stick to a Study Schedule

If you're having trouble studying regularly, creating a study schedule can be a huge help. Doing something regularly helps your mind get used to it. If you set aside a time to regularly study and stick to it, it'll eventually become a habit that's (usually) easy to stick to. Getting into a fixed habit of studying will help you improve your concentration and mental stamina over time. And, just like any other training, your ability to study will improve with time and effort.

Take an honest look at your schedule (this includes schoolwork, extracurriculars, work, etc.) and decide how often you can study without making your schedule too packed. Aim for at least an hour twice a week. Next, decide when you want to study, such as Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays from 7-8pm, and stick to your schedule . In the beginning, you may need to tweak your schedule, but you'll eventually find the study rhythm that works best for you. The important thing is that you commit to it and study during the same times each week as often as possible.

#2: Start Studying Early and Study for Shorter Periods

Some people can cram for several hours the night before the test and still get a good grade. However, this is rarer than you may hope. Most people need to see information several times, over a period of time, for them to really commit it to memory. This means that, instead of doing a single long study session, break your studying into smaller sessions over a longer period of time. Five one-hour study sessions over a week will be less stressful and more effective than a single five-hour cram session. It may take a bit of time for you to learn how long and how often you need to study for a class, but once you do you'll be able to remember the information you need and reduce some of the stress that comes from schoolwork, tests, and studying.

#3: Remove Distractions

When you're studying, especially if it's for a subject you don't enjoy, it can be extremely tempting to take "quick breaks" from your work. There are untold distractions all around us that try to lure our concentration away from the task at hand. However, giving in to temptation can be an awful time suck. A quick glance at your phone can easily turn into an hour of wasting time on the internet, and that won't help you get the score you're looking for. In order to avoid distractions, remove distractions completely from your study space.

Eat a meal or a snack before you begin studying so you're not tempted to rummage through the fridge as a distraction. Silence your phone and keep it in an entirely different room. If you're studying on a computer, turn your WIFI off if it's not essential to have. Make a firm rule that you can't get up to check on whatever has you distracted until your allotted study time is up.

#4: Reward Yourself When You Hit a Milestone

To make studying a little more fun, give yourself a small reward whenever you hit a study milestone. For example, you might get to eat a piece of candy for every 25 flashcards you test yourself on, or get to spend 10 minutes on your phone for every hour you spend studying. You can also give yourself larger rewards for longer-term goals, such as going out to ice cream after a week of good study habits. Studying effectively isn't always easy, and by giving yourself rewards, you'll keep yourself motivated.

Our pets are not the only ones who deserve rewards.

Tips for Learning and Remembering Information

While the default method of studying is reading through class notes, this is actually one of the least effective ways of learning and remembering information. In this section we cover four much more useful methods. You'll notice they all involve active learning, where you're actively reworking the material, rather than just passively reading through notes. Active studying has been shown to be a much more effective way to understand and retain information, and it's what we recommend for any test you're preparing for.

#5: Rewrite the Material in Your Own Words

It can be easy to get lost in a textbook and look back over a page, only to realize you don't remember anything about what you just read. Fortunately, there's a way to avoid this.

For any class that requires lots of reading, be sure to stop periodically as you read. Pause at the end of a paragraph/page/chapter (how much you can read at once and still remember clearly will likely depend on the material you're reading) and—without looking!—think about what the text just stated. Re-summarize it in your own words, and write down bullet points if that helps. Now, glance back over the material and make sure you summarized the information accurately and included all the important details. Take note of whatever you missed, then pick up your reading where you left off.

Whether you choose to summarize the text aloud or write down notes, re-wording the text is a very effective study tool. By rephrasing the text in your own words, you're ensuring you're actually remembering the information and absorbing its meaning, rather than just moving your eyes across a page without taking in what you're reading.

#6: Make Flashcards

Flashcards are a popular study tool for good reason! They're easy to make, easy to carry around, easy to pull out for a quick study session, and they're a more effective way of studying than just reading through pages of notes. Making your own flashcards is especially effective because you'll remember more information just through the act of writing it down on the cards. For any subjects in which you must remember connections between terms and information, such as formulas, vocabulary, equations, or historical dates, flashcards are the way to go. We recommend using the Waterfall Method when you study with flashcards since it's the fastest way to learn all the material on the cards.

#7: Teach the Material to Someone Else

Teaching someone else is a great way to organize the information you've been studying and check your grasp of it. It also often shows you that you know more of the material than you think! Find a study-buddy, or a friend/relative/pet or even just a figurine or stuffed animal and explain the material to them as if they're hearing about it for the first time. Whether the person you're teaching is real or not, teaching material aloud requires you to re-frame the information in new ways and think more carefully about how all the elements fit together. The act of running through the material in this new way also helps you more easily lock it in your mind.

#8: Make Your Own Study Guides

Even if your teacher provides you with study guides, we highly recommend making your own study materials. Just making the materials will help the information sink into your mind, and when you make your own study guides, you can customize them to the way you learn best, whether that's flashcards, images, charts etc. For example, if you're studying for a biology test, you can draw your own cell and label the components, make a Krebs cycle diagram, map out a food chain, etc. If you're a visual learner (or just enjoy adding images to your study materials), include pictures and diagrams.

Sometimes making your own charts and diagrams will mean recreating the ones in your textbook from memory, and sometimes it will mean putting different pieces of information together yourself. Whatever the diagram type and whatever the class, writing your information down and making pictures out of it will be a great way to help you remember the material.

How to Study for a History Test

History tests are notorious for the amount of facts and dates you need to know. Make it easier to retain the information by using these two tips.

#9: Know Causes and Effects

It's easy and tempting to simply review long lists of dates of important events, but this likely won't be enough for you to do well on a history test, especially if it has any writing involved. Instead of only learning the important dates of, say, WWI, focus on learning the factors that led to the war and what its lasting impacts on the world were. By understanding the cause and effects of major events, you'll be able to link them to the larger themes you're learning in history class. Also, having more context about an event can often make it easier to remember little details and dates that go along with it.

#10: Make Your Own Timelines

Sometimes you need to know a lot of dates for a history test. In these cases, don't think passively reading your notes is enough. Unless you have an amazing memory, it'll take you a long time for all those dates to sink into your head if you only read through a list of them. Instead, make your own timeline.

Make your first timeline very neat, with all the information you need to know organized in a way that makes sense to you (this will typically be chronologically, but you may also choose to organize it by theme). Make this timeline as clear and helpful as you can, using different colors, highlighting important information, drawing arrows to connecting information, etc. Then, after you've studied enough to feel you have a solid grasp of the dates, rewrite your timeline from memory. This one doesn't have to be neat and organized, but include as much information as you remember. Continue this pattern of studying and writing timelines from memory until you have all the information memorized.

Know which direction events occur in to prepare for history tests.

How to Study for a Math Test

Math tests can be particularly intimating to many students, but if you're well-prepared for them, they're often straightforward.

#11: Redo Homework Problems

More than most tests, math tests usually are quite similar to the homework problems you've been doing. This means your homework contains dozens of practice problems you can work through. Try to review practice problems from every topic you'll be tested on, and focus especially on problems that you struggled with. Remember, don't just review how you solved the problem the first time. Instead, rewrite the problem, hide your notes, and solve it from scratch. Check your answer when you're finished. That'll ensure you're committing the information to memory and actually have a solid grasp of the concepts.

#12: Make a Formula Sheet

You're likely using a lot of formulas in your math class, and it can be hard remembering what they are and when to use them. Throughout the year, as you learn a new important formula, add it to a formula sheet you've created. For each formula, write out the formula, include any notes about when to use it, and include a sample problem that uses the formula. When your next math test rolls around, you'll have a useful guide to the key information you've been learning.

How to Study for an English Test

Whether your English test involves writing or not, here are two tips to follow as you prepare for it.

#13: Take Notes as You Read

When you're assigned reading for English class, it can be tempting to get through the material as quickly as possible and then move on to something else. However, this is not a good way to retain information, and come test day, you may be struggling to remember a lot of what you read. Highlighting important passages is also too passive a way to study. The way to really retain the information you read is to take notes. This takes more time and effort, but it'll help you commit the information to memory. Plus, when it comes time to study, you'll have a handy study guide ready and won't have to frantically flip through the book to try to remember what you read. The more effort you put into your notes, the more helpful they'll be. Consider organizing them by theme, character, or however else makes sense to you.

#14: Create Sample Essay Outlines

If the test you're taking requires you to write an essay, one of the best ways to be prepared is to develop essay outlines as you study. First, think about potential essay prompts your teacher might choose you to write about. Consider major themes, characters, plots, literary comparisons, etc., you discussed in class, and write down potential essay prompts. Just doing this will get you thinking critically about the material and help you be more prepared for the test.

Next, write outlines for the prompts you came up with (or, if you came up with a lot of prompts, choose the most likely to outline). These outlines don't need to contain much information, just your thesis and a few key points for each body paragraph. Even if your teacher chooses a different prompt than what you came up with, just thinking about what to write about and how you'll organize your thoughts will help you be more prepared for the test.

Fancy pen and ink not required to write essay outlines.

What to Do the Night Before the Test

Unfortunately, the night before a test is when many students make study choices that actually hurt their chances of getting a good grade. These three tips will help you do some final review in a way that helps you be at the top of your game the next day.

#15: Get Enough Sleep

One of the absolute best ways to prepare for a test-any test-is to be well-rested when you sit down to take it. Staying up all night cramming information isn't an effective way of studying, and being tired the next day can seriously impact your test-taking skills. Aim to get a solid eight hours of sleep the night before the test so that you can wake up refreshed and at the top of your test-taking game.

#16: Review Major Concepts

It can be tempting to try to go through all your notes the night before a test to review as much information as possible, but this will likely only leave you stressed to and overwhelmed by the information you're trying to remember. If you've been regularly reviewing information throughout the class, you shouldn't need much more than a quick review of major ideas, and perhaps a few smaller details you have difficulty remembering. Even if you've gotten behind on studying and are trying to review a lot of information, resist the information to cram and focus on only a few major topics. By keeping your final night review manageable, you have a better chance of committing that information to memory, and you'll avoid lack of sleep from late night cramming.

#17: Study Right Before You Go to Sleep

Studies have shown that if you review material right before you go to sleep, you have better memory recall the next day. (This is also true if you study the information right when you wake up.) This doesn't mean you should cram all night long (remember tip #15), but if there are a few key pieces of information you especially want to review or are having trouble committing to memory, review them right before you go to bed. Sweet dreams!

Summary: The Best Way to Study for a Test

If you're not sure how to study for a test effectively, you might end up wasting hours of time only to find that you've barely learned anything at all. Overall, the best way to study for a test, whether you want to know how to study for a math test or how to study for a history test, is to study regularly and practice active learning. Cramming information and trying to remember things just by looking over notes will rarely get you the score you want. Even though the tips we suggest do take time and effort on your part, they'll be worth it when you get the score you're working towards.

What's Next?

Want tips specifically on how to study for AP exams? We've outlined the f ive steps you need to follow to ace your AP classes.

Taking the SAT and need study tips? Our guide has every study tip you should follow to reach your SAT goal score.

Or are you taking the ACT instead? We've got you covered! Read our guide to learn four different ways to study for the ACT so you can choose the study plan that's best for you.

Christine graduated from Michigan State University with degrees in Environmental Biology and Geography and received her Master's from Duke University. In high school she scored in the 99th percentile on the SAT and was named a National Merit Finalist. She has taught English and biology in several countries.

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Strategies and techniques for teachers when preparing students for exams

School examinations are a stressful time not only for students but for teachers too.  This article looks at how teachers can best support/motivate students prior to their exams, to enable them to succeed.

• Prepare yourself – plan ahead Students will have lots of questions about the upcoming exams.  Ensure you familiarise yourself with the course and assessment goals as well as the exam procedures so you are knowledgeable and can let students know what is expected of them.  
• During class and term time As you work through the curriculum during school terms ensure students highlight important details in their notebooks/binders.  This will help students when it comes to revision time.  
• Revision classes Students should be working steadily throughout the year but some revision classes in the last few weeks of term can help prepare them for exams. – Identify the key topics students will need to know for their exam and try to make the revision session memorable and motivational for the students.  You  could make the questions into a board game and cover the key points this way, making it a fun/relaxed review and ensuring students don’t feel overloaded with information.  – In-class group discussion as part of exam review can promote analytical and independent thinking, especially when each member of the team is  allocated a different role in the group. – Set students homework between revision classes to motivate them to start their revision early. – Allow time for any questions they have about the upcoming exams.  
• Revision techniques Advise students on ways to improve their study concentration by informing them to: – Study in a quiet place where they will not be distracted. – Create revision timetables and stick to them. – Break large subjects into smaller ones, which can be absorbed in one revision sitting. – Take regular short breaks, eat healthily and drink plenty of water. – Look at test papers to help prepare for exams, including planning out answers to previous exam questions. – Create mind maps and diagrams as a way to remember information studied.  
• The Exam room and paper – Remind students of the basic exam room rules e.g. phones switched off, no notes to be taken in to the exam room. – Also reinforce the fact that students should read the questions several times in the exam, so they know what the examiner is looking for (in their responses) and can answer the question correctly.  Use of past papers can help with this. – Teach the art of exams – make sure student understand the difference between key words used in exam questions such as “describe”, “discuss”, “compare” and “summarise”.  Even if students really know the topic they could be let down if they don’t know what a question requires of them or how much time to spend on their answer. – Encourage students to organise their ideas prior to writing the answer to the exam so it is written in a clear manner and answers the question thoroughly.  – Again a mind map is a good technique when planning essay answers and can be drawn out quickly on a spare piece of paper during the exam. – Remind students that extra marks are awarded for spelling, punctuation and grammar. – Also tell students to write their answers neatly as they will lose marks in their exam if the examiner cannot read what is written.  Examiners mark many papers so they are pleased when handwriting is tidy and easy to read. – Time management is important for students during exams – ensure they divide their time between the questions sufficiently and keep to this schedule so they don’t run out of time when answering the questions.

Use all available resources There are many revision tools on the market to support teachers in the classroom, which can provide variety/increased student interest in revision classes.  To the tech-savvy young students in your classroom, the use of online application and software is second nature, so introducing them to these applications can help unlock their creativity and aid their study, revision and organisation.  One such application is Read&Write Gold software from Texthelp Ltd, which helps students in the classroom and with their revision.  The many reading, writing and study skills features make revision easier, less laborious and Read&Write Gold appeals to all types of learners i.e. visual, kinesthetic and auditory.

Find out more about how Read&Write Gold can enable student success in the classroom, during exams and at revision time by visiting www.texthelp.com or downloading your free 30-day trial directly from www.texthelp.com/uk/downloads.  You can also email for more information at: [email protected] or call tel: 028 9442 8105.

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Prayers For Studying and Exams

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Prayer of Academic Thanksgiving

Prayer before an examination, prayer for preparation to study.

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Lord God, Thank you for this opportunity to learn new skills and stretch my understanding. Thank you for guiding me through this time of study into the final exams. I lay before you all the hopes and fears I have about the outcome. May you place a peace within me now as I rest and await the results. Thank you that I am safely held in your love. Thank you that whatever happens in the future I will live in your goodness and walk with you always.

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Dear Lord, as I take this exam, I thank you that my value Is not based on my performance, but on your great love for me. Come into my heart so that we can walk through this time together. Help me, not only with this test, but the many tests of life that are sure to come my way.

As I take this exam, bring back to my mind everything I studied and be gracious with what I have overlooked. Help me to remain focused and calm, confident in the facts and in my ability, and firm in the knowledge that no matter what happens today you are there with me.

- A Salesian Prayer Back to top

Lord, I know you are with me and love me. Give me peace of mind as I prepare for this time of study. Help me to focus on my books and notes, keep me from all distractions so that I will make the best use of this time that is available to me. Give me insight that I might understand what I am studying, and help me to remember it when the time comes. Above all, I thank you for the ability to be able to study and for the many gifts and talents you have given me. Help me always to use them in such a way that they honor you and do justice to myself.

- A Salesian Prayer

Loving God be with me now, as I prepare for my exams.

Thank you for the many talents and gifts you have, given me and for the opportunity of education.

Calm my nerves and anxiety, help me to remember all that I have studied, to express it clearly and to answer the questions the very best I can.

Holy Spirit, sit with me in my exam - and always.

- Sandhurst Youth Ministry

Dear God, Source of all wisdom, Help me to use my time And my intelligence wisely, As I prepare for exams. Help me to dispose myself To listen to your Holy Spirit So that you, as my loving Spirit, May place me in a state of prayer And lead me to understand That the supreme wisdom Is knowing I am your child. Help me to remain serene So that my work may truly reflect This profound truth Mary, Mother of my spiritual life, Guide me in the ways of your Son, So that my work may help To transform this world for God's glory.

- Author Unknown

St. Thomas Aquinas: Prayer Before Study

Creator of all things, true Source of light and wisdom, lofty origin of all being, graciously let a ray of Your brilliance penetrate into the darkness of my understanding and take from me the double darkness in which I have been born, an obscurity of both sin and ignorance. Give me a sharp sense of understanding, a retentive memory, and the ability to grasp things correctly and fundamentally. Grant me the talent of being exact in my explanations, and the ability to express myself with thoroughness and charm. Point out the beginning, direct the progress, and help in completion; through Christ our Lord.

-  St. Thomas Aquinas

Lord Jesus, You know that I am very anxious about the tests and exams that I have to face very soon, and ask that You would calm my anxious, clouded thoughts. Please calm these nerves that I have, and let me rest in You always. I pray that as I enter the exam, that You will fill my heart with perfect peace that only comes from You. Please also give me clarity of thought, and prompt my mind to remember all the things that I have studied. Give me the wisdom and the ability to transfer my thoughts to paper. It’s in Your precious name I pray,

Prayer Before a Test 

Lord, thank you that you are with me right now Your love surpasses all fear I give you the anxiety I feel I surrender all my worries to you Clear my mind Calm my heart Still my Spirit Relax my being That I may always glorify you In everything I write, speak and do.

Found on: https://www.lords-prayer-words.com/prayers_before/prayer_before_exam.html

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By submitting my email address. i certify that i am 13 years of age or older, agree to recieve marketing email messages from the princeton review, and agree to terms of use., how to study for a test: 10 steps to ace your next test.

We promise your teacher isn’t out to get you. As unpleasant as taking a test can often be, it actually does more than just show your teacher what you know: it can actually help you learn.

Studies have shown that students who are tested regularly actually learn more content and retain it longer than students who have not been tested. Great news for final exams.  Frequent testing has even been shown to help decrease test anxiety.

Not sure how to study for a test? Follow these study tips to make your best grade!

1. Get informed

• textbook chapters and topics the test will cover
• test format

2. Think like your teacher

Your homeworks assignments, quizzes, handouts, daily notes , and classwork are all indicators of what your teacher thinks is important about the information and what might appear on the test.

3. Make your own study aids

When it comes to learning, practice tests work BETTER than simply highlighting or re-reading your notes. So, turn your notes into flashcards or use a flashcard app for memorizing Spanish vocab. Ask your friends to quiz you or write your own practice test.

4. Practice for the inevitable

Outline essays ahead of time. For math tests, do plenty of practice problems similar to ones that you KNOW will appear. Make a list of questions that you think might show up on the test (and then make sure you can answer them!).

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5. Study every day

If you have a test in a week, studying a little each day will help you identify tough concepts or weak areas in your knowledge in advance. Can't figure out factoring? Log on to Homework Help and get your questions answered.

6. Cut out the distractions

Distractions make it difficult to pay attention to what you’re doing, which in turn makes it harder to commit facts to memory. Give yourself a leg up by turning off the notifications on your phone, temporarily blocking your favorite websites, or sticking to instrumental music while you study (so you’re not tempted to sing along!). Taking a break every 45 minutes or so will also help you stay focused.

7. Divide big concepts from smaller details

If you're studying a big topic—like the Civil War for history  or cellular processes for biology —try breaking the material you need to study into chunks. Study one battle at a time or one chapter section at a time—and then quiz yourself. Ask yourself questions about what you’ve just studied, and even write your answers down.

8. Don’t neglect the “easy” stuff

Even if you’ve been acing a certain subject or concept all year and think the test will be a breeze, you should still give it a review before the big day. You don’t want to lose points for careless errors or forget to memorize a key geometry formula.

9. Don’t skip school

Missing classes automatically puts you at a disadvantage. Make sure you go to class (especially during the week leading up to the test) and attend any review sessions your teacher holds. Did you have to miss an important class? You can always ask your teacher or one of our tutors  for help catching up.

10. Review the day of the test

Before you take the test, give yourself time for a quick review. Shuffle through those flashcards a couple of times or re-read your chapter outline. This will ensure the material is fresh in your mind.

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CXC urges students to be prepared for May/June exams

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) — The Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC), Dr Wayne Wesley, has told students from across the region that they have been prepared “to advance the economic competitiveness” of the Caribbean.

In a brief message at this season of May/June 2024 examinations, Wesley said, “It is that time of year again when candidates across the region are given the opportunity to demonstrate the competencies they have achieved.”

“With the support of family, friends, teachers and educators, you are destined for greatness,” he said, urging the students to “be cool, calm, and collected, demonstrating your confidence”.

“You have been prepared to advance the economic competitiveness of the region.  You will do well. God bless you all,” Wesley added.

The CXC, established in 1972, is an institution that provides regional and internationally recognised secondary school leaving examinations relevant to the needs of the region, assists in common entrance and other types of examinations as well as producing teaching materials and training teachers to use the CXC syllabi.

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Mid-Michigan Matters: Preparing for the SAT’s and ACT’s

LANSING, Mich. (WILX)—High school students are approaching the end of the school year, but they still have to study.

Many students are preparing for their college entrance exams, including the SAT and ACT.

Joining Mid-Michigan Matters today is Jessica Rollins from Sylvan Learning Center, offering advice for parents and students.

Subscribe to our News 10 newsletter and YouTube page to receive the latest local news and weather. Looking to hire people, or grow your business through advertising? Gray Digital Media is your one-stop marketing solution. Learn more.

Copyright 2024 WILX. All rights reserved.

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CUET UG 2024: How commerce students can prepare for the exam

Cuet ug 2024: check subject-specific study suggestions, recommended books, key chapters, and estimated study time to prepare well for the exam:.

CUET UG 2024: With the Common University Entrance Test (CUET) UG 2024 approaching, commerce students are gearing up to ace the exam and secure admission to their dream colleges. To help them navigate through the preparation process effectively, we've compiled a comprehensive guide tailored specifically for commerce students. Mentioned below are the subject-specific study suggestions recommended books, key chapters, and estimated study time to ensure that the students are well-equipped for success: -

Accountancy:

Accountancy forms a crucial part of the CUET syllabus for commerce students. Here are some specific

Study suggestions:

- Revise concepts, formulas, and practice MCQs

- Focus on theory from NCERT books and MCQs from reference books such as DK Goel's Accounting series.

- Allocate 3 hours per day.

Key Chapters:

1. Accounting for Share Capital

2. Reconstitution of a Partnership Firm: Admission of a Partner

3. Reconstitution of a Partnership Firm: Retirement/Death of a Partner

4. Issue and Redemption of Debentures

5. Cash Flow Statement

Economics is another significant domain in the CUET examination. Here's how you can prepare effectively:

- Learn laws, definitions, and practice MCQs.

- Refer to NCERT books and additional reference books like TR Jain's Introductory Macroeconomics and

Indian Economic Development.

- Dedicate 2 hours per day.

1. Employment: Growth, informalisation, and Other Issues

2. Government Budget and the Economy

3. Money and Banking

4. National Income Accounting

5. Determination of Income and Employment

Business Studies:

Business Studies is integral to the commerce curriculum. Follow these study suggestions:

- Memorise and revise important terms and facts, followed by MCQ practice.

- Depend on NCERT books and supplementary material like Poonam Gandhi's Business Studies.

- Allocate 1 hour per day for study.

1. Directing

2. Staffing

3. Controlling

4. Financial Management

5. Financial Markets

The English section of CUET evaluated various language skills. Here's how you can prepare:

- Concentrate on improving vocabulary, grammar, and comprehension abilities.

- Utilise reference books like Wren and Martin and Word Power Made Easy.

1. Reading Comprehension

2. Literary Aptitude (Reported Speech, Voice, Prepositions, Adverbs, Clause, Sentence)

3. Vocabulary (Antonyms, Synonyms, Homophones, Idioms, Foreign Vocabulary)

General Test:

The general test evaluates quantitative aptitude, reasoning, current affairs, and general awareness.

Follow these suggestions:

- Analyse previous year’s questions to understand the syllabus.

- Practice a large number of questions for quantitative aptitude and reasoning.

- Watch television or read newspapers to have good knowledge and understanding of national and international events.

1. Quantitative Reasoning

2. Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning

3. Current Affairs

4. General Awareness

Preparing for CUET UG 2024 requires diligent effort, strategic planning, and effective time management skills. By following the comprehensive guide outlined above and dedicating consistent efforts to their preparation, commerce students can enhance their chances of success in CUET UG 2024 and pave the way for a bright academic future.

(Author Santosh Anand, Head Content, ExamFactor. Views expressed are personal.)

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Marietta’s seniors pass national landman exam, prepare for careers.

From left to right, front row: Cole James, Cole Hammond, and Bailey Miller; back row: Vince Foresta and Brady Wilson. Missing: Jake Visnic. (Photo provided)

All six of Marietta College’s senior Land & Energy Management students achieved an important milestone that sets them up for career success.

Cole Hammond (Bartlett, Ohio), Vince Foresta (Grove City, Ohio), Cole James (West Union, West Virginia), Bailey Miller (Belpre, Ohio), Jake Visnic (St. Clairsville, Ohio), and Brady Wilson (Chesapeake, Ohio) each passed the first level of the Registered Landman exam.

“Successfully passing the national Registered Landman test shows that what the students have learned in the classroom at Marietta College and through their internships has prepared them to become professional landmen,” said Assistant Professor Tina Thomas. “I am very proud of what they have accomplished, and all six graduating seniors – four in May and two in December – should have a very successful careers as a landman.”

The American Association of Professional Landmen accredits Marietta’s Land & Energy Management major. The program provides a strong foundation in business, geology, environmental science, communications, and other areas that prepare students for a career.

“I’m thrilled to have achieved this certification,” said Foresta, who will join Diversified Gas and Oil Corp. in Canton, Ohio. “I know it is the first step to success in my career, and I hope to continue learning in pursuit of my RPL (Registered Professional Landman) and eventually my CPL (Certified Professional Landman).”

Miller also acknowledged Thomas.

“I am extremely grateful for the guidance from Professor Thomas throughout my time in the program, which has helped me reach this milestone,” Miller said. “I am also very thankful for my connections that I have made within the energy industry, such as within the Michael Late Benedum Chapter of the AAPL, for helping me reach this goal.”

Miller is employed at Blue Duck Resources and is subcontracted as a Land Technician for an operator in the Morgantown, West Virginia, area.

Hammond appreciates Marietta’s education and the possibilities it has opened up for him.

“I would like to thank my advisor (Thomas) for preparing me to pass the RL Exam,” said Hammond, who will join EnergieKontor, a U.S. solar company in Houston, Texas, as a remote solar acquisitionist. “This certification means a lot, and I will take this accomplishment with me moving forward as I prepare to enter the industry and progress through it.”

The students also appreciated the opportunity to take the test while still in school.

“Passing this exam sets us apart and will create more opportunities for us in the future,” Wilson said.

Visnic added, “I’m super excited to have been able to take advantage of the opportunity given by the AAPL to complete the RL and take the first step to being a professional landman.” He plans to work with Bordas Mineral Management over the summer, complete his last semester at Marietta, and graduate in December.

James plans to work as a landman for American Consolidated Natural Resources (ACNR) where he completed an internship.

“I think it is great that the AAPL offers graduating seniors the opportunity to take the RL exam,” he said. “It makes me so happy to know that not only do I have my diploma, but I can also say I’m a professional landman now. It makes these last four years of hard work feel worth it.”

Located in Marietta, Ohio, at the confluence of the Muskingum and Ohio rivers, Marietta College is a four-year liberal arts college. Tracing its roots to the Muskingum Academy, founded in 1797, the College was officially chartered in 1835.

Today, Marietta College serves a body of 1,200 full-time students.

The College offers over 50 majors and is consistently ranked among the top regional comprehensive colleges by U.S. News & World Report and The Princeton Review. Marietta was selected seventh in the nation according to the Brookings Institution’s rankings of colleges by their highest value added, regardless of major.

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