Effective Strategies for Preparing for English Exams

Create Flashcards. Flashcards are one of the most effective ways to memorize vocabulary. Write a word on one side of the card and its definition on the other. You can quiz yourself or ask someone to help test you.

• You can also use digital flashcards. There are several computer programs and smartphone apps designed specifically for vocabulary learning with flashcards: you input the “front” and “back” of the card and review them.

Identify roots, prefixes, and suffixes of words. One way to learn vocabulary faster and more effectively is by understanding word roots, prefixes, and suffixes. Being able to identify them helps in guessing the meanings of new words rather than just memorizing long lists of vocabulary with limited meanings.

• Prefixes like “un, in, il, and ir” mean “not.”
• Suffixes such as “–ive, -ative, and –itive” identify adjectives – used to describe nouns.
• The prefix “man” refers to doing something using hands.
• The suffix “phobia” indicates a fear of something.
• The prefix “re” means back or again.
• Prefixes like “sur, sub, suc, sup, and sus” mean under, below, or secretly.
• The prefix “psyche” relates to the mind.
• Prefixes “mono” (meaning one) and “poly” (meaning many) specify a number or quantity.
• Suffixes like “log, logo, and ology” refer to the study of something.

Write down vocabulary and definitions. Even if you don’t have flashcards, writing down vocabulary and definitions can help you remember them.

• If you have time, try writing the words and definitions more than once.
• If you have a visual memory, experiment with using different colors. You might recall the color of the word and visualize its definition during the exam.

Re-read selected short literary texts. Re-read any poems or short stories you studied in class. For longer texts like multi-part novels, make sure to revisit sections that seem particularly important or that your teacher spent significant time explaining in class.

• If you took notes during discussions about the literary text, review those notes first, then re-read the text.
• Refer to your study plan to remind yourself of all the texts you’ve covered.
• Reviewing chapter titles, opening, and closing lines of each chapter in a novel can refresh your memory about specific ideas in the novel.

Read introductory materials and make marginal notes in your textbook. If you used a textbook in class, read the introductory materials and any footnotes accompanying the poems or stories you’ve read.

• These elements, often overlooked during initial reading, usually provide context and summaries that can be very helpful for essay questions.

Review your class notes. If you’ve taken notes during class, go through them again. If you don’t usually take notes, try to start doing so in the future. It’s the best way to remind yourself of what was discussed in class. During exams, teachers rarely ask questions that weren’t covered in class, so reviewing class material is one of the most effective study methods. Revisiting class assignments is also a good idea.

Identify the “big picture” themes. Many literature essay questions revolve around themes or the overarching messages of the text. If you’re struggling to identify themes on your own, try searching online for the text’s name along with the word “theme.” You’ll find summaries and study guides that can be very helpful. Knowing common themes can help you spot them in specific texts:

• Humans and nature
• Humans and hostile societies or God/gods
• The fleeting nature of time
• The inevitability of death
• Periods of disillusionment
• The dangers of ambition

Review online study guides and summaries. There are many websites dedicated to helping students with summaries and study guides for classic (popular and well-known) texts. These are excellent learning tools, but never use them as a substitute for reading the text itself.

• If you decide to use online study guides, make sure they are credible and written by experts. Avoid blogs and personal websites not authored by professionals.

Memorize details like character names. While you may not be explicitly asked to identify specific character names and their relationships in the exam, these details often come in handy during the test.

• Messing up character names or confusing characters can undermine even the best answers to exam questions.
• Use flashcards (physical or digital) to memorize names and details about characters.

Refer to study guides. The best way to prepare for an exam is to review and complete the entire study guide. Most teachers provide study guides that essentially outline the key points of the exam. Mastering every detail in the study guide can ensure your success on the test.

• If your teacher doesn’t provide a study guide, this approach may not apply to you. Consider visiting your teacher before or after class or during office hours to ask for guidance or advice on what to focus on while studying.

Review the course syllabus. If your instructor has provided a course syllabus, skim through it. Exams are often a part of the detailed syllabus. It also serves as a reminder of specific texts or elements you’ve focused on.

• Any topic your teacher spent more than a day teaching is likely important.
• Most syllabi include a section on exams. At the very least, you should be able to determine the percentage each exam contributes to your overall grade, which will help you decide how much time to dedicate to studying.

Review class notes. For some exams, you’ll need to define key concepts or literary developments. Others may require you to interpret themes explored across multiple works. Go through your notes to revisit definitions, lists, and any themes or topics that appear more than once; these are often strong indicators they’ll appear on the exam.

Attend class before the exam. Usually, the day or a few days before the exam is the best time to attend class. Teachers will outline the exam format and point out areas to focus on. This is also when they typically distribute study materials.

• If you must miss class, ask a reliable friend or classmate to share any materials handed out or their notes. If they know in advance you’ll be absent, they’ll take thorough notes instead of just listening.
• As a last resort, contact your teacher to obtain any materials you missed. It’s best to inform your teacher ahead of time if you’ll be absent and let them know you’ve asked another student to take notes for you. Avoid phrasing your request as wanting to know if you missed anything important, as this might offend the teacher. Instead, ask if they’d be willing to share what they covered in class.

Ask your teacher what to study. If your teacher doesn’t automatically provide a study guide or exam details, ask them as class is ending for the day. It’s best to be polite and ask for study guidance rather than demanding to know what will be on the exam.

• It’s also important to know whether the exam is cumulative, covering all material since the start of the semester, or if it only includes content since the last exam.

Review previous course exams. If this isn’t the first exam in the course, look back at the last test you took. Many teachers use a similar structure for each exam, so a past test can serve as a study guide or at least help you understand the exam format.

Understand the exam structure. In addition to asking about the exam content, also inquire about its format. For example, finding out whether the exam is multiple-choice or entirely essay-based will help you determine how to study.

• Knowing whether you’ll take the exam on a computer or with pencil and paper will also influence your study approach. For instance, a computer with word processing software might save you time reviewing spelling and vocabulary.

Gather the right testing materials. Ensure you’re prepared for the exam by bringing the appropriate study materials. If the exam is computer-based, you won’t need to bring any physical materials.

• Check if you need pencils or pens, blank paper or test booklets, and whether you’re allowed to use textbooks or novels during the exam.
• Some teachers even permit the use of flashcards or study guides during the test.

Ask classmates if they’d like to form a study group. You’re not the only one aiming to excel in the English exam. Asking before or after class if anyone wants to study together is a great way to enhance your preparation.

• Plan ahead and organize a study group early rather than waiting until the day before the exam to suggest group study.

Share with each other. Everyone’s class notes are different, so exchanging or comparing notes can be a great way to recall specific details and discussions from class. It’s also a practical way to review material from days you missed.

• Remember that group members didn’t plan to share their notes in advance, so be polite when reviewing messy, handwritten, or scribbled notes.
• Don’t feel embarrassed about the state of your notes. You didn’t intend to share them, and even disorganized notes can be helpful to someone who has none.

Discuss literature. Engaging in lively debates about literary texts can keep you interested and help you review the material. Make sure to ground your discussion by referring to the text and using “evidence” from it to support your points.

Compare with past exams. If classmates are comfortable sharing results from previous exams, you can compare to see which types of answers seem to resonate most with the teacher. For example, knowing whether the teacher prefers longer, detailed responses or concise, direct answers can help you tailor your exam responses.

• Don’t wait until the last minute to study. Cramming is rarely an effective exam strategy.
• Practice outlining answers to essay questions. You can even approach your teacher beforehand to ask if you’re on the right track with your preparation.
• Try not to overwhelm your teacher with too many exam-related questions. They want you to pay attention in class daily, and you’ll prove your focus by answering questions correctly.
• When reviewing grammar, revisit all parts of speech and rhetorical devices. For example, malapropisms, concord errors, etc.