Graduation 101: Acing a High School Exit Exam

Quick quiz: Aside from going back and trying to recreate every class that you have taken in the last four years, what is the best way to prepare for a high school graduation exam? The answer: Learn all you can about the exam practice and follow a comprehensive test preparation program.

Getting ready for a high school graduation examination is a daunting task. After all, you are being tested over four years of material in several different subjects. But relax, you will be surprised at what you already know, and at what you can accomplish if you prepare early. Here is some advice on getting started:

1. Find out all that you can about the exam: Your school should be able to provide you with information about the exam including the format of the test and the material that will be covered. In fact, many high schools offer classes or in-class practice time. Do a web search to find the site for your specific examination. Most sites provide practice questions and links to resources for studying.

2. Study regularly and practice, practice, practice: Again, consult the test website for practice materials. After you find out what will be included on the exam, try to prioritize your studying, allowing more time to go over subjects or areas that you feel less confident about. Practice tests are the best way to gauge how successful you will be and to figure out where you should put the most emphasis when preparing. Ask your teachers if they have practice questions that you can work on as most schools receive these materials.

3. Read, then read more: Reading comprehension is an area that gives many students headaches. The best way to improve your reading comprehension is to read as much as possible. While reading, look for meaning, actively thinking about what you are reading and possible questions. After you finish a few paragraphs, see if you can paraphrase the key points. Reading frequently improves your ability to concentrate, which can ultimately raise your test scores in every area.

4. Practice your test-taking skills: Regardless of your mastery of the content material, you can benefit from using good test-taking strategies. There are literally hundreds of books and websites devoted to this topic. Test taking strategies including time management, eliminating wrong answers and 'smart' guessing, can dramatically improve your scores on any test.

In addition to studying the specific content and using good test-taking skills, be sure that you are prepared on test day. Staying up to study at the last minute is never a good idea. You won't retain the information in your over-tired brain and you won't perform as well on the test day. Start the day with a healthy breakfast so you won't be distracted by hunger. Last, but not least, relax. Yes, you need to do well but worrying won't improve your score. Although you may not want to even consider the possibility, the fact is that even if you don't pass a section of the exam the first time, you can re-take it, with the added knowledge that you gained from the first try. The single most important thing that you can do to improve your test scores is to start preparing early. Working diligently over a few months, and reviewing at a steady pace will garner you the best results.

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