1. How to Survive Exams!!!
By: The Quad 2 RAs!!!

2. First, create a
timetable for
your exams
 Determine how many days
(weeks) you have prior to
each exam, and then rank
exams in regards to:
 Current level of
preparedness
 Overall exam difficulty
 Amount of studying /
reviewing (in hours)
needed for each exam
(2:1 rule)

3. Next, determine the amount of material
that should be covered each day
Creating a Weekly Study
Schedule is vital, as it will
help to organize the
material to be studied
more efficiently
 Classes categorized
into chapters, sections,
passages, etc. to be
covered each day
 Creates target study
goals and checkpoints

4. Third, begin
implementing what
study techniques
work most
efficiently for each
class
 Various Study Techniques
Include (but are NLT):
 Rewriting Notes
 Outlining
 Flash Cards
 Tutoring
 Study Groups
 Practice Problems
 Prof OH / Exam Reviews
 Creating Mock Exams
• Since the ideology of a
course depends almost
entirely on a professor,
you must determine
what study methods are
best for what class
• Example: One bio prof
may place emphasis on
lecture slides, while
another may utilize
textbook

5. Rewriting Notes
Pros:
 Reinforces short-term memory
 Refreshes long-term memory
 Potential exam emphasis and
hidden giveaways
Cons:
 Tedious
 Notes may be too unorganized
 Difficult to remain focused
 Only applicable for certain
courses

6. Outlining
Pros:
 Provides quick summary
of chapter material
 Highlights major concepts
 Beneficial for last-minute
review
Cons:
 Tedious
 May fail to connect all
concepts

7. Flash Cards
Pros:
 Repetition reinforces short-
memory
 Memorization can occur
quickly (definitions, minor
concepts, etc.)
 Works well for many intro
science courses
Cons:
 Extremely tedious
 Review is time-consuming
 Long-term memory more
difficult to improve

8. Tutoring
Pros:
 1-on-1 help / explanation
 Can often answer / solve
any question presented
 Flexible hours
Cons:
 Tutoring centers
overcrowded near exam
periods
 Non-Rutgers affiliated
tutors may require hourly
pay

9. Study Groups
Pros:
 General group discussion
highlights topics / concepts others
may have missed
 Widespread collaboration and
combination of various inputs,
strengths, and study techniques
add to overall review experience
 Tutoring possibly available for
those struggling
Cons:
 Study groups are often easily
distracted
 Everyone may not come prepared
 Some don’t learn well in groups

11. Practice Problems
Pros:
 Drilling allows mastery of
subject material
 Thoroughly prepares you for
actual exam
 Great in study groups so those
that are proficient can tutor
others (and benefit from
teaching)
Cons:
 Extremely tedious
 Textbook may not provide
solutions
 Only applicable for certain
courses (Calc, Chem, Physics)

12. Prof OH / Exam Review
Pros:
 1-on-1 discussion with
exam creator
 May provide material that
will be on exam
 May provide answers for
exam questions
Cons:
 Office Hours timeframe
(often) not flexible
 Other students may hinder
1-on-1 experience

13. Creating / Taking Mock
Exams
Pros:
 Challenges your knowledge
of subject material
 Thoroughly prepares you for
actual exam
 Questions may potentially
appear on exam
Cons:
 Extremely tedious
 If you created it, you know
the solutions to your own test
 Difficult to find mock exams
(Studyblue.com)

15. Tips and Tricks:
 DON’T CRAM
 2-1 Rule: For every 1 hour in class, 2 hours of studying /
review!
 50-60 Rule: For every 50 minutes done studying, 10 minute
break!
 Remember, different subjects call for different studying
 Are you more efficient studying at night or during the day?
Alone or in study groups?
 Study in an environment which supports focus, learning, and
TRANQUILITY
 Remember to take breaks and have three meals a day!

16. Game (Exam) Day
Preparation
 Get plenty of rest (6-8
hours)!
 Eat a balanced breakfast!
 Get to the exam location
15 minutes early!
 Try not to review the
day of the exam

17. Congratulations! You have
now graduated from
Rookies to Veterans!!!