Test-taking strategies

Before the exam:

• Look over old exams to determine your strengths and weaknesses.  For example, why did you not get full credit on a certain problem when you thought you understood it?  Possibly because you didn't show your work, or because you weren't clear and concise.
• Be self-critical.  A superficial look at old exams will not help.  Be tough on yourself.

During  the exam:

• Arrive early.
• Relax.
• Look over all the problems before starting.
• Choose the easiest problem and work with that one first.  Problem #1 is not necessarily the simplest.  With each problem left, continue to chose the easiest (for you).  Save the most difficult, and hence the most risky, to work on last.
• Think about each problem before you start to solve it.  Draw a diagram.  Have an idea of how you want to proceed.
• Show all your work, but don't write down meaningless drivel.  If you do write the correct equation, the other random stuff will clue the grader that you didn't know the answer.