How To Improve Your Test Scores
- June 19, 2008
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from
Joel Young
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Writer
ShannonH
- Actor Stacey Shevlin
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Production
Lman
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The Way It Is
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Voice Over Artist
Peter Coleman
Studying is just one of the things you can do to get good grades. Here are some scientifically proven ways to ace your tests.
You Will Need
- Breakfast
- Chocolate
- Gum
- Water
- A sprig of rosemary (optional)
Step 1: Go to bed early
Go to bed early the night before. Sleeping only six hours instead of eight increases levels of the stress hormone cortisol by 50%, and sleep- deprived people score 30% lower on memory tests.
Study right before you turn in. Research shows we remember things better that way, because the act of sleeping “locks” the information in our brain.
Step 2: Eat breakfast
Don’t skip the corn flakes. Students who eat breakfast score higher on tests and report less test-related anxiety. Best bets? Eggs for brain-boosting choline, and oatmeal for a calming increase in serotonin levels.
After your healthy breakfast, treat yourself with a little dark chocolate. It boosts memory, alertness, and concentration, and its special chemicals even decrease anxiety.
Step 3: Visualize success
Imagine acing the test. Sounds crazy, but visualizing success, like a term paper marked “A,” stimulates the alpha waves associated with relaxation, making you less likely to choke during the exam.
Stuck on a question? Go with your gut. Your first hunch is almost always the right one!
Step 4: Chew gum
Pop a stick of gum. In one British study, the act of chewing was found to activate the hippocampus, the brain area responsible for memory, improving recall by 35%.
Go for peppermint or spearmint flavors: Mint scents increase alertness, leading to fewer mistakes.
Step 5: Use acupressure
Use this acupressure trick: Press the spot on your wrist about two thumb widths down from the base of the palm. Acupuncturists believe this signals the heart to slow to a more soothing rhythm.
Put a bit of fresh rosemary in your pocket on test day—it’s a proven memory booster! In fact, in ancient Greece, students wore sprigs of rosemary in their hair on exam day.
Step 6: Drink water
Bring a bottle of water with you to the test. Even the slightest dip in hydration levels can lead to stress, memory loss, and a drop in mental functioning.
Step 7: Take deep breaths
If you feel anxious during the test, take a deep breath. Breathe into your belly, not your chest; count to 10 as you inhale and 10 as you exhale. This helps you focus and lowers stress hormones in seconds.
Most multiple-choice answers are B and C, and on true/false tests, there are usually more trues than falses.
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Comments (49)
Whoo! bringing a plant to school!!
over 2 years ago by Harizu13
oh and remember to always study and do your homework.
over 2 years ago by tyedyeprincess
and always study!
over 3 years ago by discotheque
kool tips.
over 2 years ago by Rishma_Jalal
Should I chew gum during the test or before?
over 2 years ago by yonyz
This is very helpful
over 2 years ago by pandabear707
cool tat
over 2 years ago by cooolie
do i eat the rosemary? or just leave it in my pocket? please help PSAT!
over 2 years ago by T3KN0D
You leave it in your pocket or behind your ear.
over 2 years ago by FunniBaby
how does that help?
over 2 years ago by T3KN0D
Try the other steps.. They make more sense than the mint one.
over 2 years ago by FunniBaby
im just gonna stick a whol plant full in my pocket. AND do all that sutff. ill ace it.
over 2 years ago by T3KN0D
That's good. So how's your day?
over 2 years ago by FunniBaby
how was my day? pretty excellent actually. yours?
over 2 years ago by T3KN0D
OH and subscribed to you.
over 2 years ago by FunniBaby
i dont know why anyone would do that lol im probably never going to upload any videos
over 2 years ago by T3KN0D
Me niether but we can talk.
over 2 years ago by FunniBaby
ok yeah id like that.
over 2 years ago by T3KN0D
yep im in highschool. im a junior
over 2 years ago by T3KN0D
yeah its alrite i guess. sometimes i dont feel like really doing anything but i get by i guess. what about you? are you in highschool?
over 2 years ago by T3KN0D
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