How to "Ace" a Test Like Magic
Article by Bronson Chadwick
Read Time: 7 Minutes
Audience: Students and Teachers
So, you’ve got a big test coming up, huh? There are no magic shortcuts to passing a test, but there are some neat tricks I can tell you that make test taking much easier. Let's get started.
Part #1 Study!
There’s no substitute for studying for a test or exam. If you haven’t studied, it’s not going to go well for you! But if you make time to study, then you’ll do well on the test. Here’s some quick study tricks and tips:
Don’t cram!
Cramming before a test and trying to memorize everything is a terrible way to study. You’ll overwhelm yourself and the information for passing the test will be missed. Instead, study for just a few minutes each day for at least five days before a test. Study in small doses of 10-20 minutes in each session.
Make Some Flash Cards
Index cards are cheap and the easiest way to study facts before a test. Write the question or topic on one side and a detailed answer on the other side. Study your flash cards frequently and make sure you mix up your cards, so they are in a different order every time.
Quiz Yourself
Have a parent or trusted friend quiz you on your knowledge for the test. If you mess up on the quiz, don’t panic. Just try again in the future.
Study at different times of the day!
If you study every night before going to bed, your brain will associate the knowledge you need for that test with being sleepy! Likewise, if you study in the morning on your way to school when you’re under pressure, your brain will associate that knowledge with being stressed out! Study at a variety of different times during the day and the school week including morning, daytime, and evening and you’ll be much more likely to retrieve the information you need later.
Make a Funny Story
Memories tied to funny situations are very STRONG memories. Try to find a way to make yourself laugh when you study. Are you studying for a science test on volcanoes? Use a funny memory trick to remember the difference between magma and lava. It’s one thing to remember that lava is the molten rock that shoots out of the top of a volcano while magma is the same stuff that’s under the earth; but it may be easier to remember the phrase “lava is when the volcano barfs a-lotta.” Remembering that phrase will make you chuckle and help you remember the difference between the two words when you take the test!
Stop studying what you already know!
One of the big pitfalls that some people fall into is studying things already committed to memory. If you’re 100% sure of the information you’re studying, then focus on the information that you still need to work on.
Part #2 - Be Bold!
Are you nervous about taking the test? Don’t be. With adequate preparation and studying for your test, even the biggest end-of-grade test is easier. But even the most prepared test taker can sometimes get the jitters! Here’s a few unusual tricks to make you more bold for test time:
Eat Peppermint!
One of the big pitfalls that some people fall into is studying things already committed to memory. If you’re 100% sure of the information you’re studying, then focus on the information that you still need to work on.
Wear Red
Wearing bright colors, especially bright red on test day makes you feel bolder. The vividness of the color lets your subconscious (and everyone else in the room) know that you’re ready to own the exam!
Listen to Some Good Music!
I like to listen to bold music before taking a test. Often that’s music without any lyrics but with a punchy beat. It wakes me up and makes me feel better about myself.
Part #3 - Take care of your body!
Your brain and your body must also be prepared for test time! Don't forget to sleep and eat right!
Get plenty of sleep
It’s easy to underestimate how important sleep is to doing well in school, especially on test day. Humans need about eight hours of sleep on average. That’s not including the amount of time it takes for you to get ready for bed and fall asleep. You need to rest for at least eight hours at night but I recommend more time than that. Go to bed at nine. Yes, I said nine. That’s really early and you may not fall asleep for a while, but it will relax you until you’re ready to fall asleep. Don’t look at your phone or any kind of screen either! Harsh blue light and stimuli from phones, tablets, TV screens, laptops, etc. can wake up your brain even if you feel sleepy and it will cause you to sleep in a way that’s not restful.
Eat Breakfast
Once you’re up, dressed, and showered for the day you need to eat something for breakfast. Even if you’re not a routine breakfast eater, I recommend eating something light without processed sugar to keep you focused on the test. Even when you don’t feel hungry, your body will know if it hasn’t been fed. Consider a simple breakfast of eggs and toast, a piece of fruit, or oatmeal with a small amount of peanut butter. This will keep you focused during the test.
Drink Water
Your body needs to be hydrated in the morning. One major mistake that a lot of people make is to drink coffee or juice in the morning without first drinking a tall glass of water. Drinking at least sixteen ounces of water in the morning will wake up your body and your mind and help chase away the sleepy feelings.
Spend Time in Prayer
I encourage everyone to pray before taking an exam (or before getting out of bed for that matter!) Prayer may seem awkward if you're not used to it, but it’s a wonderfully meditative way to help take the pressure off the test and place your attention on a higher power.
That's All!
And that’s all my quick and easy tricks for acing a test! Again, there’s no magic words that will make you pass the test without effort, but these tips can help you discover that you’re a much better test taker than you ever realized!
Magic in the Library is an organization dedicated to the advancement of language arts education among K-6 students. Founded by illusionist and sleight-of-hand artist Bronson Chadwick, We use the art of magic tricks to entertain and educate students on the importance and joy of reading, writing, and learning. See one of our show programs live and take advantage of our online resources for students, educators, and parents.
