Biology Exam Preparation

Biology exams can seem intimidating and overwhelming to biology students. The key to overcoming these obstacles is preparation. By learning how to study for biology exams you can conquer your fears. Remember, the purpose of an exam is for you to demonstrate that you understand the concepts and information that have been taught. Below are some excellent tips to help you learn how to study for biology exams.

Time Required: Varies

Here's How:

Get Organized

An important key for success in biology is organization. Good time management skills will help you to become more organized and waste less time preparing to study.

Items such as daily planners and semester calendars will help you to know what you need to do and when you need to have it done.

Start Studying Early

It is very important that you start preparing for biology exams well in advance. I know, I know, it is almost tradition for some to wait until the last minute, but students who implore this tactic don't perform their best, don't retain the information, and get worn out.

Review Lecture Notes

Be sure that you review your lecture notes before the exam. You should start reviewing your notes on a daily basis. This will ensure that you gradually learn the information over time and don't have to cram. For tips on how to take good biology notes, see How to Take Biology Notes.

Review the Biology Text

Your biology textbook is a wonderful source for finding illustrations and diagrams that will help you visualize the concepts you are learning. Be sure to reread and review the appropriate chapters and information in your textbook. You will want to make sure that you understand all key concepts and topics.

Get Answers To Your Questions

If you are having difficulty understanding a topic or have unanswered questions, discuss them with your teacher. You don't want to go into an exam with gaps in your knowledge.

Quiz Yourself

To help prepare yourself for the exam and find out how much you know, give yourself a quiz. You can do this by using prepared flash cards or taking a sample test. You can also use online biology games and quiz resources.

Find a Study Buddy

Get together with a friend or classmate and have a study session. Take turns asking and answering questions. Write your answers down in complete sentences to help you organize and express your thoughts.

Attend a Review Session

If your teacher holds a review session, be sure to attend. This will help to identify specific topics that will be covered, as well as fill in any gaps in knowledge. Help sessions are also an ideal place to get answers to your questions.

Relax

Now that you have followed the previous steps, it's time to rest and relax. You should be well prepared for your biology exam. It's a good idea to make sure you get plenty of sleep the night before your exam. You have nothing to worry about because you are well prepared.

Tips:

Take An AP Biology Course

Those who wish to gain credit for introductory college level biology courses should consider taking an Advanced Placement Biology course. Students enrolled in the AP Biology course must take the AP Biology exam to gain credit. Most colleges will give credit toward entry level biology courses for students who earn a score of 3 or better on the exam.

Use Good Study Aids

Biology flash cards are excellent tools for studying and memorizing key biology terms and information. AP Biology Flash Cards are a wonderful resource not only for those taking AP Biology, but also for biology students in general. If taking the AP Biology exam, these Top Five AP Biology Books contain extremely useful information that is sure to help you score high on the AP Biology exam.

How to Study for a Math Exam

When studying for a math exam, you have two main goals:

•          Learn the material so you can do well on the exam.

•          Learn the material well enough so you will still know it next semester!!! (Most of you will be taking more math. These classes ALWAYS depend on the material you learned the previous semester! If you don't really learn it (i.e. not just cramming for the exam), you'll crash and burn in your next class!

TIP #1: Have all memorizing done a couple of days before the exam.

TIP #2: USE FLASH CARDS FOR MEMORIZATION OF FORMULAS AND RULES!!!

1) Starting out:

•          Look over lecture notes.

o          REWORK EXAMPLES!!

•          Look over homework.

2) Make an exam for yourself (or better yet, for a study partner):

•          Take it after a delay period - So you won't remember where you got the problems - If you take the exam too soon, you may think you know the material better then you do! (This should be done at least TWO (2) days before the exam - NOT the night before or you'll freak yourself out!)

NOTE: It is extremely important that you be able to do the problems withoutknowing what section they came out of!! Be sure to mix the problems up when you are practicing!

3) Restudy:

•          Go back over what you had trouble with on your practice exam. This is the stuff that you didn't absorb well enough from just doing your homework.

4) The afternoon before exam day:

•          Read through your lecture notes and think! Work some problems and review memorizing.

5) The night before exam day:

•          Do something fun ----------- But not too much fun! 8-)

6) One hour before exam:

•          Glance over flash cards and don't talk to classmates -- They may say something to confuse you or make you nervous. 8-)

Most importantly ------- DO NOT CRAM!!

Anything you try to learn at the last minute (that means the night before) will dribble out your left ear when you get nervous!

Also, if you need to get some private tutoring for the exam, do not set your appointment for exam day - or even the night before. Being tutored the day of the exam may fry your brain. Waiting until the night before is cramming. Plan ahead for all tutoring appointments.

JOB PREPARATION

Job interviewing never seems to get any easier - even when you have gone on more interviews than you can count. You are meeting new people, selling yourself and your skills, and often getting the third degree about what you know or don't know.

Here are job interview tips to help prepare you to interview effectively. Proper preparation which help alleviate some of the stress involved in job interviews and the more you prepare, the more comfortable you will be interviewing.

Job Interview Tips

Practice
Practice answering interview questions and practice your responses to the typical job interview questions and answers most employers ask. Think of actual examples you can use to describe your skills. Providing evidence of your successes is a great way to promote your candidacy. Also have a list of your own questions to ask the employer ready.

Research
Prepare a response so you are ready for the question What do you know about this company? Know the interviewer's name and use it during the job interview. If you're not sure of the name, call and ask prior to the interview. Try to relate what you know about the company when answering questions.

Get Ready
Make sure your interview attire is neat, tidy and appropriate for the type of firm you are interviewing with. Bring a nice portfolio with copies of your resume. Include a pen and paper for note taking.

Be On Time
Be on time for the interview. On time means five to ten minutes early. If need be, take some time to drive to the interview location ahead of time so you know exactly where you are going and how long it will take to get there. Here's more on preparing for an interview.

Stay Calm
During the job interview try to relax and stay as calm possible. Take a moment to regroup. Maintain eye contact with the interviewer. Listen to the entire question before you answer and pay attention - you will be embarrassed if you forget the question!

Show What You Know
Try to relate what you know about the company when answering questions.  When discussing your career accomplishments match them to what the company is looking for. Here's how tomake a match between your expertise and the company's requirements.

Follow Up
Always follow-up with a thank you note reiterating your interest in the position. If you interview with multiple people send each one a personal thank you note. Send your thank you note (email is fine) within 24 hours of your interview.

Avoid Common Interview Mistakes
What shouldn't you do when interviewing? Here are the most common job interview mistakes, blunders, and errors a candidate for employment can make. Take the time to review these mistakes before your interview, so you don't have to stress out about blunders after it.

More Job Interview Tips
Tips for phone interviews, second interviews, lunch and dinner interviews, behavioral interviews, interviewing in public, and more advice for interview success.

Phone Interview Etiquette
Phone interview etiquette is just as important as in-person job interview etiquette when it comes to getting hired. That's because, regardless of how you interview, a successful interview will get you to the next stage of the hiring process.