This week our high school students take their Advanced Placement exams. It won’t be long before middle and high school final and Regents exams begin. Although many people stay up late in an effort to study, cramming is not an effective way to prepare for these summative assessments.
In truth, the best practice is to review your notes and your readings each day leading up to the exam. I strongly suggest that your children begin in May, rather than waiting until June. Most of the material contained in final exams is cumulative material from September to June. There are few students who can review their notes and materials days before the test and be adequately prepared to do well on the exam.
Although many of the “smart” kids will tell you that they’re not going to study or they’ll cram the night before, the fact is most of them have been working for weeks preparing for their finals. They don’t want to tell you the truth. Why should they? They are competing against you for the best grades and rank.
I found out in college that all of these kids are “storytellers”. At college, all you need to do is swing by the library after dinner to see it’s packed with students. It’s the place to be. In fact, all of the “smart” kids who told you that they rarely study or put in any effort are in the library plugging away at their studies.
My father’s ancient studying principles still apply today, the “3 Ss”, and will help your children with their final and Regents exams. “Study, Study, Study”. If you have any questions about what your child will be tested on in June, please contact your child’s teacher.
