The following are proven strategies that have helped many students improve test scores and prepare more effectively for exams. It seems like some students thrive on last-minute 'cramming'. But most experts will agree, cramming isn't effective. The biggest problem with cramming, according to UCLA professor of psychiatry Andrew Fuligni, is that cramming causes students to sacrifice sleep time in order to study. While it's not possible to perform well on a test without the required knowledge, sleep is critical for academic success. Sacrificing sleep for an additional 3 or 4 hours of study is often counterproductive.

It's best to begin preparing long before the day of a test. Make it a habit to complete reading assignments on time and frequently review lecture notes. If you're preparing for midterm or final exams, you'll want to organize your time so you can dedicate more time to those exams that are more important or are going to be more demanding. Make time for studying. Setting aside regular time to study is critical for achieving high test performance. We recommend preparing a term calendar, weekly schedule and daily schedule that includes regular study sessions. It's so easy for work and other activities to quickly take precedence over studying, so plan your study time in advance.

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