Learn from Your Past Exams

LEARNING FROM PAST EXAMS

After note-taking skills, the second-most commonly ignored academic success strategy is using your past exams to improve your performance on future exams. Below are instructions on how to utilize previous exams to your advantage for the future. A printable (.pdf) version of our Learning from Past Exams handout is also available.

1. Complete the top portion of the ‘Past-exam Worksheet’ (located below). Be as specific and honest as possible in describing the way you studied (or didn’t study).

2. Under the “Question Number” column, write the numbers of the actual test questions that you didn’t answer correctly.

3. Fill in each of the following columns for the questions your missed. You’ll be answering:

How many points were taken off?
What kind of question it was (refer to legend at the bottom of the table for the different classifications of questions).
The reason you think you got it wrong.

4. Look for patterns. Ask yourself the following:

What kind of questions did you have the most difficulty with and why?
Which questions were worth the most points?
What can you do to improve your performance on the next exam?
How can you make sure you will correctly answer the high value questions on future exams?

5. Ask yourself what you still don't understand about the exam or exam questions that you answered incorrectly.

Did you have difficulty understanding the instructions?
Do you understand the instructor's comments?

6. Make a list of things you need to do to be more successful on your next exam. Ask questions like:

How can I make sure I understand the material?
Do I need to better manage my time so I can focus more on studying?
How can I determine what is important to study?
How should I prepare for the test?
What strategies should I use while taking the exam?

7. Look at exams from other courses and see if there is a pattern.

PAST EXAM WORKSHEET

Course: __________________________ Exam Date: _________________________

Predicted Grade: _____ Actual Grade:_____ % of Final Grade: _____

Detailed Study Process:

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Missed Question Profile			Reason the Question was Incorrect
Question #	Points Lost	Type of Question*	Carelessness	Material Unfamiliar	Misinterpreted	Not Complete

*MC - Multiple Choice T/F - True/False CM - Completion MA - Matching ES - Essay

On future exams, I will not:

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

On future exams, I will:

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Learn from Your Past Exams

LEARNING FROM PAST EXAMS

PAST EXAM WORKSHEET

Missed Question Profile

Reason the Question was Incorrect