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| Dr. M is the author of five advice books, including Getting to Know the Real You: 50 Fun Quizzes Just for Girls, and Girls: What's So Bad About Being Good? How to Have Fun, Survive the Preteen Years, and Remain True to Yourself, both written with her teenage daughter. Dr. M shares this advice column with Molly, a middle school student who loves to play soccer, dance, write and spend time with her friends. |
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Dear Dr. M and Molly,
I'm taking a test today. Can you give me some tips to concentrate on the test? Please Dr. M and Molly, I need you.
—Carlethia, 10, Georgia
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Dear Carlethia,
Concentrating is only part of the answer. Being prepared is also important. The more you know about the subject, the more confident you will be on the day of your test. Work out a schedule that gives you plenty of time to study. When you come across something in your textbook you don't understand, ask for help from a parent or teacher. The evening before a test, put sharpened pencils, working pens, and anything else you need in your backpack. That way, you're not scrambling around in the morning looking for supplies. Before you begin a test, take a deep breath, close your eyes for a moment, and say to yourself, "I know the material. I am going to do well on this test." If you need to pause during a test because you're getting nervous, do that. Don't stay in panic mode—it won't help you concentrate.
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Dear Carlethia,
The most important thing is to stay calm. Trust me, sometimes I get so nervous for tests and then I only do worse. It makes me "over think" problems so that I just don't do as well as I could. If you've studied, then you know everything you need to know. There is no use in worrying before a test, so go in confident. Begin the test telling yourself that you are prepared and ready to take the test. Try to pace yourself, but don't stress over the time. Underline words in the questions, and re-read them. Teachers sometimes try to trick you, but just try to break apart the questions and find what they're really asking you to do. Always check over your work if you have time. And of course, no cheating! |
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