How to Study for Exams

What You’ll Find Here: 3 Videos • Study Strategies • Self-Check • 5 Downloads

On This Page: What Studying Means | Active Studying | How Often to Study | Build a Study Plan | Self-Check | Downloads | Get Help | One Action

Studying for a Math Exam Is More Than Reviewing Your Notes

Preparing for a math exam can feel overwhelming, especially when you are unsure where to begin. The good news is that effective studying is a skill you can learn.

On this page, you will learn:

• What it really means to study

• How to make your study time active

• How often you should study for math

• How to create a realistic exam-preparation plan

• Where to find additional help

You do not have to change everything at once. Start with one strategy, practice it, and gradually build a study routine that works for you.

Studying for math is more than rereading notes, looking through examples, or watching someone else solve problems. These activities can be useful starting points, but effective studying also gives you opportunities to find out what you can do on your own.

As You Watch

Think about this question: When you study, how often do you put your notes away and try a problem without help?

Try It Now

Choose one topic that may appear on your exam.

1. Write down what you remember about the topic without looking at your notes.

2. Try one problem without using an example.

3. Check your work.

4. Write down what you understood well and what you still need to practice.

This quick activity can help you see the difference between recognizing information and being able to use it independently.

Not all study activities require the same amount of thinking. Passive studying usually involves looking at information, while active studying asks you to retrieve, explain, apply, or practice what you know.

Both can have a place in your study routine, but most of your study time should eventually move toward active practice.

As You Watch

Think about this question: Which of your usual study activities require you to produce an answer or explanation without looking at the solution first?

Try It Now

Choose one worked example from your notes, textbook, or homework.

1. Read through the example once.

2. Cover or close the solution.

3. Try the problem yourself.

4. Explain why you completed each step.

5. Compare your work with the original solution.

6. Correct any mistakes you find.

7. Try a similar problem without help.

You do not have to eliminate passive review completely. Use it briefly to remind yourself of an idea, and then turn that review into active practice.

Math skills develop through repeated practice. Several shorter study sessions usually give you more opportunities to remember ideas, notice difficulties, ask questions, and return to challenging material than one long study session right before an exam.

Your study schedule does not need to be perfect. It just needs to be specific, realistic, and focused on what you actually need to practice.

As You Watch

Think about this question: Could you replace one long study session with several shorter sessions spread across multiple days?

Try It Now

Plan one focused study session for an upcoming exam.

Instead of writing:

Study math on Wednesday

make your plan specific. For example:

Wednesday, 6:00–6:30 p.m.: Complete five linear-equation problems without notes, check my answers, and write down any questions I still have.

You can use this simple structure for your session:

First 5 minutes — Set a goal
Choose one or two specific skills to practice.

Next 15–20 minutes — Work without notes
Solve several problems independently and show all your steps.

Next 5–10 minutes — Check and correct
Compare your work with the solutions. Find where any mistakes occurred and correct them.

Next 10 minutes — Try again
Complete one or two similar problems without looking at your corrections.

Final 2–3 minutes — Plan your next step
Write down what you can now do, what still feels confusing, what you should practice next, and any questions you need to ask.

A focused study session does not have to be long to be useful. What matters is that you know what you are practicing and that you are actively checking your understanding.

Step 1: Identify What the Exam Covers

Gather your:

• Exam review or study guide

• Class notes

• Homework assignments

• Quizzes

• Previous tests

• Textbook or online course materials

Make a list of the skills and topics that may appear on the exam.

Step 2: Rate Your Confidence

Use the following scale for each topic:

• 3 - I can do this independently

• 2 - I can do this with a reminder or example

• 1 - I am not yet sure how to begin

Begin with the topics you rated a 1 or 2.

Step 3: Schedule Specific Study Sessions

For each session, record:

• The day and time

• The topic you will study

• The activity you will complete

• The materials you will need

• How you will check your understanding

Step 4: Practice Without Support

At least part of each study session should resemble the exam. Put away your notes, work independently, and give yourself a reasonable amount of time.

Step 5: Use Your Results

After practicing, divide the topics into three groups:

• Ready: I can complete these problems independently.

• Almost Ready: I understand the idea but need more practice.

• Need Help: I am unsure how to begin or keep making the same mistake.

Use these results to decide what to study next.

Before ending a study session, ask yourself:

• Did I solve problems without looking at an example?

• Did I explain why my steps worked?

• Did I check and correct my mistakes?

• Did I practice more than one type of problem?

• Can I recognize which strategy a problem requires?

• Can I complete the problem without help?

• Do I know what I need to practice next?

You do not need to answer “yes” to every question during every session. Use the questions to help make your studying more active and intentional.

Choose the tool that would be most useful to you right now - you do not need to use all five.

Studying independently does not mean you have to work alone. Ask for help when you notice that you cannot begin a problem, continue making the same mistake, or do not understand why a procedure works.

You might:

• Visit your instructor during office hours

• Ask a specific question before or after class

• Work with a classmate or study group

• Bring attempted problems to a tutoring session

• Use the Math Center of Excellence

• Review additional examples from your course materials

When asking for help, bring the work you have already attempted. Showing where you became confused can make it easier for someone to help you.

You do not need to create a perfect study system today. Choose one manageable action:

• Schedule your next study session.

• Make a list of the topics on your exam.

• Try five problems without notes.

• Correct one problem you previously missed.

• Explain one concept aloud.

• Contact your instructor or a tutor.

• Begin an exam study plan.

Small, consistent actions can help you become more prepared, more confident, and more independent in your math learning.