What should you do? Drop everything and run to her aid? Calmly tell her to do the work herself? Call a tutor?

A parent can play a healthy role in helping kids to successfully complete their homework assignments. But parents must draw clear boundaries that protect them from offering too much help and their kids from expecting it.

Encourage your child to do as much as possible alone:

“Try the first set of verbs. See what you can do.”

“Read the directions again.”

But if your son or daughter persists in claiming they are unable to understand or complete the assignment, you may need to step in:

“What specific problem are you having?”

“Read it aloud to me, slowly.”

Kids may not appreciate this type of response, preferring, instead, a hands-on approach from Mom or Dad. But it is more helpful when parents gently insist that kids apply critical thinking skills to solve problems themselves.

However, if it becomes apparent that the child truly is lost and doesn’t understand the homework concept, the parent may be able to help. Suggest that your child re-read the section that was assigned for homework practice. After he or she has done that, ask if there are any questions. Answer them to the best of your ability. Those you cannot answer, suggest your child write them on paper for the teacher.

Then ask your child to read the first problem aloud, breaking it into parts if necessary. When you get a quizzical look afterward, calmly nudge the problem back to your child:

“What do you think that means?”

“How does the problem relate to what you just read?”

Little by little, help your child deconstruct the overwhelming assignment by looking at each part individually before responding to the whole unit.

Sometimes, though, a homework question is poorly worded or the parent doesn’t know the answer. Suggest that your child skip to the next question or even the next subject. It’s important that he or she continue on a productive path in completing as much homework as possible rather than giving up on one topic and neglecting the rest.

Parents should avoid taking a hands-on approach. A bit of advice or a probing questions can be helpful instead. Obviously, a parent should never do the work for the child. That would be cheating, as would recommending plagiarism or unethical shortcuts of any kind.

Parents have a great opportunity to model problem-solving skills when their kids struggle with homework uncertainties. But when it becomes clear that a child is feeling overwhelmed by an assignment, the parent should make an appointment to talk with the teacher and clarify the situation. No child can master a skill that he or she cannot comprehend, so be sure that learning takes place first, followed by practice later.

What kind of job you are really looking for and will it suit you perfectly? The job you may opt to do should be such that you will love to do it and derive utmost satisfaction out of it. It is also to be based on your strengths and weaknesses. For this constantly look for some good openings. It should provide enough opportunities to show of your strengths and ample scope for your progress.

Sources of Information:

Gather information regarding job openings from news papers, magazines web sites etc. Even your friends and relatives may be a source of information. Register your name in Employment Exchange. You may contact private consultants and recruiting agencies also. Get counseling from those people who have already achieved the goals which you too have set for yourself. Once you have some ideas about a possible career, identify the sort of role and type of organization to go for. It is worth spending some time to plan your strategy. Find out what is required for these jobs. If needed, try to get some extra work experience or qualifications. Investing in acquiring them will definitely bring fruits in the long run.

Your Bio-data / Resume

Due attention must be given in either filling the standard application form received from the respective organization or the format in which you may try to present your bio-data. Your bio-data is a very important document and keep in mind that its sole purpose is to get you an invitation for an interview. Hence attach utmost importance in the preparation and presentation of the same. It is not just what you say, but how you say it too. Try to understand clearly from the advertisement that what the employer is looking for and present them in the best way to show that you have all these qualities. While furnishing your personal details be clear, concise and relevant to the job. Stress the positive aspects which drew your attention for applying to this position. With regards to your education and work experience (if any), mention about the most recent things first. Always type the letter, unless otherwise it is specified as handwritten.. Prepare a rough draft first. Read it thoroughly to make sure that you have presented everything precisely, correctly and in the way it is expected. Type or write on one side of the unlined A4 sized white paper. Use black color ink only. Mention the full date, your full address contact, telephone number and e-mail address. Write/ type your full name underneath your signature. Invitation for attending an interview is not a passport for an employment.

Preparation for attending an interview:

For attending an interview you need to prepare, so that you can convince the concerned people that you’re the right person for the job. Try  to collect as much information as possible about the company like the  company’s ethos and culture, services or products of the company, number of employees working there, the reputation of the company, company’s financial position, turn over , profitability , their future expansion projects,  about their competitors and their performance etc., Make sure that you know the correct location of the interview avenue and how to reach there well in time. Even you can have a glimpse of the premises of the company to get some idea of the scale of the company. Also keep ready all the relevant things which you are supposed to take for the interview. You should try to anticipate the general questions which they will ask and also prepare some questions to ask them.  The interview gives you the opportunity to prove yourself. It is for you to impress and convince the interviewer that you are suitable in all respects for the particular post.

Gestures & Postures:

Your manners and your dress sense certainly say a lot about you, but your gestures and postures may let you down. Your overall impression and personality is bound to appear more impressive, if you are able to control and make the desired modification in your body language. Your body

language clearly depicts your mental attitude. An experienced interviewer would be able to read your mind very clearly through your gestures and postures and the decision is likely to be influenced by it. Hence,  Be open and honest, in mind and body while you are interviewed At the time of entering the interview venue , walk with a straight head, erect shoulders, fast steps and straight posture. That will give an impression that you are a confident and warm person.  Remember that hand shake too conveys a lot about the personality of your attitude towards the other person. A well gripped strong and vertical handshake creates a positive impression and tells upon your ardour, friendliness and enthusiasm. The way you sit itself conveys a lot of subtle information to the people who are going to interview you. Hence, sit erect on the chair offered to you with hands resting in lap or on the arms of the chair. Relax and make yourself comfortable.. But, relaxing does not mean that you will sit in a way in which you sit on the sofa in the home. Let your knees point at the interviewer. It shows you are focused right in on them. If you are unable to sit still then channel it into hand gestures that back up what you are saying. It shows a certain confidence in the matter you’re saying. Folding your arms across your chest will convey that you are nervous and negative. Slapping of the head indicates forgetfulness. Touching the nose brushing the cheek, looking somewhere else may invite suspicion on the part of your interviewer. Avoid covering too much of space on the interviewer’s table with your arms, papers, folder etc. Eyes speak more than the words. Maintain your eyes contact true and steady, but remember to blink. Make sure that your gaze doesn’t drop below eye level. Shutting eyes for a brief period or blinking it more than the normal pace, rapid glancing to and fro, and making short eye contacts may indicate your shortcomings and weakness. In general avoid all unpleasant activities during the interview. At the interview be bold and positive. But ,do not bluff.

Probable questions that may be asked during an interview:

Give a brief sketch of your family background. What do you know about this company and its products/services? How long have you been looking for a job? What qualities do you think will be required for this job? Anything special which you would like to mention about you and your achievement? Are you a member of any professional institutions or social organizations? Are you self-motivated or need any outside stimulation? How many hours are you prepared to work? What are your career goals? Are you willing to travel? What interests do you have apart from studies/work? What will your referees say about you?

Questions which you may ask when you are given a chance:

Where will I be based? Where will I fit into the overall organizational structure? To whom will I report to? What will be my responsibilities? Whether any frequent traveling is involved in the job? Is there any chance of relocation now or at a later date? What will be the salary and other perks? What training will be I undergoing? What opportunities are there within the company? When will I hear the results of the interview?

Lastly thank the company or organization for having given you an opportunity.

A Happy Child

Not all the motivation in the universe will help a student who is otherwise not happy in their daily surroundings. This is not a directive to give your child anything and everything they ask for…actually, quite the opposite. Children treated with respect and love, usually give respect and love in return. Children raised with values and given guidance on a daily basis, again, learn to use their values wisely. A spoiled child, one who is given ‘things’ without any reason other than they asked for it, or more likely, demanded it, do not gain any common sense of how life works; people work for rewards. Making clear here, rewards do not necessarily mean ‘things’! Ask your child what they consider a good outcome of different situations, so you, as the parent, can define in your mind, what your child considers motivational to completing tasks, including homework assignments, special projects, etc. You may be surprised to learn that your child has no clear definition of why they should put effort into their studies.

Example

For instance, many parents’ associate ‘motivation’ with money, if their child passes a test, they will hand over cash as motivation for the next test. What the child learns in reality, is that if they ‘pass’ they are instantly given gratification. Sounds like a workable motivational tool, right. What is wrong with this scenario is simple. That is not how life works. There will not always be someone there throughout your child’s life to hand over cash every time ‘they’ get it right.

Defining Rewards

Children need to understand that when grownups talk about rewards, they are not necessarily talking about the newest video game or a trip to an amusement park. Reward can simply be the satisfaction of completing a task. If a child has been motivated through physical rewards all through his school life and even before, they need to learn that this is not how life works. You can change how you give motivation, and how your child receives it, it just takes some ‘motivation’ and sensibility on your part! Teaching a child that gratification comes from the result of the task done ‘is’ the best motivational tool you can use.

Discussion

As stated earlier, talking to your children to understand how they view rewards as motivation will give you a clear picture of where to start your discussion with them on how you can help them become more motivated in their studies. Talk with them on how an ‘A’ that is achievable through study, is motivational by itself over a ‘C’ that can simply be achieved from what the student has learned in class. Discuss what they are hoping to become when they reach adulthood. This may sound like common sense, but you may be surprised at how many parents never ask their children this most basic of questions. Once you have asked them this, ask them it again in a few months time. There answer may or may not have changed, but you will be showing your child that you not only are interested, but by asking them this simple question, you are stimulating their thoughts, to keep their goals in mind.

The Reward Breaker

Physical rewards ‘can’ be used as motivation, but use them sparingly. If a child has struggled, but has clearly shown effort, a physical ‘unsuspected’ reward can be given with positive results. A surprise dinner out to show your child that you appreciate all the hard work they put into passing a class they truly struggled in will show them that you noticed. This works in two ways; a physical reward is given, but it also demonstrates the best motivation any child can receive, their parent’s approval.

Come Prepared

Since you will only have a certain amount of time for the exam, you must come prepared. You will need a watch to keep track of the time. If this is an exam that will require calculations, bring an adequate amount of scratch paper. You don’t want to be searching through your backpack in the middle of an exam for some extra paper to write on. Bring several sharp pencils. You don’t want to have to get up and sharpen your pencil and lose precious time. You will not want to use a pen, especially during an essay exam, since it will be much more difficult to scratch out part of an answer than it will be to simply erase it.

Peruse the Exam

Before you actually begin taking the examination, take two minutes to peruse the entire exam. Most exams are a combination of short essay, multiple choice, true and false and long essay questions. In your mind, plot out the exam into different sections, allotting a chunk of time to each section. For example, if you have one hour to complete the exam, allot 15 minutes for the multiple choice questions, 10 minutes for the true and false questions and 35 minutes for the essay questions. Keep track of the time on your watch. If you are not finished with the multiple choice questions or true and false questions in the allotted time, you can come back to them later.

Answer Easy Questions First

We look at one of the first questions that reads, “If Train X is moving towards the center of town at 65 miles per hour and Train Y…” and, suddenly, it looks as if the question is written in another language. What does it mean? If you look at a question and it looks difficult, skip it. Move on to an easier question. This will not only build your confidence, but it will let you get all of the easy questions out of the way and let you move on to the harder questions. If you let yourself get stuck on the hard questions at the beginning, you may lose time and not get to answer some of those easier questions (thus gaining some easy points) before the exam ends.

Be Careful With Essay Questions

When you reach essay questions, carefully read the question and immediately write down whatever thoughts pop into your mind. Sometimes you will think of something brilliant and moments later, forget what it was you had in mind. After brainstorming some quick notes, jot out a short outline of what you wish to write before you actually begin writing. As ideas pop into your head, jot them down immediately. This will eliminate any time you might spend erasing and revising later on.

While you will want to finish the exam within the time limits and answer each question to the best of your knowledge, you will also not want to finish an exam before time is up. If you find that you have sped quickly through an exam, use that extra time to proofread your answers and go over some of those more difficult questions.

In order to maximize your study time, start by choosing an environment with few potential distractions where you can focus for long periods of time. Ideal quiet study locations include your campus library, local coffee shops and computer labs. The goal of finding an effective study place is to find a study pattern that becomes familiar and helps you reinforce the concepts you learn in the lecture hall.

Research has shown that repetition is a key element of learning, and regular study times will help you to reinforce materials learned in class. Try to select times that you devote to exam preparation, and treat this time as scheduled for that purpose. Plan to spend two hours studying for every hour in the classroom. A good plan is to spend the first 15 minutes of your study time covering previous material, as well as the last 15 minutes covering upcoming concepts so you can build on what you know to master that patterns that will ensure your academic success.

Finding a proper balance between your college courses is also a key element of a proper study method. When beginning a course, find out as much information as you can from fellow students about the time needed to learn the material, and give yourself enough time to ensure each of your courses gets the necessary attention. Try to select courses that interest you, and set goals at the beginning of the semester that will keep you motivated from the beginning of the semester all the way until finals week. Expect to spend the most time on course for your major, so make sure to carefully pick an academic focus that you are genuinely interested in. Since academic skills build cumulatively, do the necessary research to ensure you have taken the necessary prerequisites for higher-level courses, and review those concepts before the beginning of the semester.

Finally, take time to reward yourself for hard work by celebrating good test scores by giving yourself a day off of studies to refresh your mind. By following these college exam tips, you will be well prepared for your next test and beyond.

If you are thinking about enrolling your child in public school, here are some things to consider:

1. Do a thorough search of local private institutions. Some of the smaller or more elite schools are not widely advertised. In addition to checking the phone book, public school system, and board of education, you also may want to make personal inquiries of neighbors, friends, and coworkers. Try a Web search for private schools in your area.

2. When you’ve compiled a list, start making phone calls or check the Web to eliminate those that won’t work for your family. Reasons may include transportation distance, school hours that conflict with job schedules, tuition fees, curriculum concerns, and personal values.

3. After whittling your list to those that meet your initial criteria as indicated in Number 2 above, make a telephone inquiry to ask more detailed questions like the following:

-Which curriculum is followed?

-How does student performance compare to public school student performance?

-What are the grading criteria?

-How many children are enrolled?

-What is the teacher to student ratio?

-Are there volunteers or teacher aides that help?

-Which extracurricular activities are provided or are available for individual students? (Music, art, foreign languages, creative writing, etc.)

-What is the school’s discipline policy?

-Are parents required to volunteer a certain amount of time each month?

-What happens if tuition payments fall behind?

-Are uniforms required?

4. Reviewing your list of responses with spouse and child (if applicable), schedule visits to the top three or four schools for a tour and to meet with the administrator. Try to go when school is in session. As you go through the school tour, consider these points:

-Is the facility functional, neat, and attractive?

-Are students respectful and well behaved?

-Do teachers appear to be confident and in control?

-Is the setting conducive to learning?

-Is student work posted for display?

-Are honors, awards, and trophies in evidence?

5. During your meeting with the administrator, be prepared with focused and open-ended questions:

-What is the drop-out rate?

-What is the average grade point accumulation of a graduating student?

-What percentage of students go on to college after graduation and successfully complete a degree or commence a career training program at the vocational school level or as an apprentice?

-What is the communication network between teachers and parents or the school and families like? Is there a monthly newsletter or Website in addition to take-home handouts?

-Are there field trips or other off campus outings?

-Are values taught or practiced? If so, what are they?

-What advantages does this school offer to public school or other private institutions?

5. Follow your instincts. Try to observe students at lunch, on break, and in the classrooms. Get a sense of how well this system seems to work. If you have doubts, visit other schools until you find one that you feel good about. If possible, bring your child for a visit before making the decision to enroll.

Private school can offer an attractive alternative to public school these days. But take time to find one that meshes with your family’s academic goals.

1. Fantasy and science fiction. Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, and even films adapted from popular films like Star Wars or Spider Man offer tempting reading for kids age ten and up. Some younger children might be able to enjoy works like these, but theme, vocabulary, and style are geared more toward adolescent children. Decide how you feel about fantasy elements such as witchcraft in the Potter books or magic in Tolkien before getting your kids hooked. Since some of the more popular works are published in series, your children may continue reading for weeks or even months to satisfy curiosity aroused from the first book.

2. Spiritual and religious themes. The Left Behind series in Christian literature was written for adults originally, but there is now a teen version that many adolescents are reading. Written from an evangelistic perspective of the end times prophesized in the Bible, the books offer adventure, excitement, and thrills as heroes and villains continue the battle of good versus evil through several volumes. Like other popular kids’ books, there is a film and its sequel that many teens have viewed. Wholesome and family friendly, the scary parts have to do with demonic forces threatening humankind.

3. American classics. For younger school children of elementary age, the Little House on the Prairie series offers a warm, friendly look at early life on the prairie as described by Laura Ingalls Wilder in the late 1800s. Made into a popular television series in the 1970s and ’80s that still can be viewed in reruns, the wholesome topics center on family life and humor during a key period of American history. Other children’s classics include Charlotte’s Web and the Charlie Brown stories that were adapted from the original cartoon strip begun by Charles Schultz in 1950.

4. Multicultural themes. Books about French children, Iranian girls’ novels about growing up during the Islamic revolution, and long-popular favorites such as Black Like Me offer insight to other cultures and peoples who live both in and out of the United States.

5. Poetry and rhyme. Dr. Seuss and Shel Silverstein are two of America’s best loved children’s authors who specialize in rhyming verse to tell interesting stories or recite poems. Some kids still read American authors Emily Dickinson’s “The Swing” or Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Raven” along with folk lyrics that tell stories of American-based scenes and events, such as “Tom Dooley” and “Hiawatha.”

Whatever your child’s taste in books, there are many popular authors and titles from which to choose. The main thing is to start early by introducing your kids to books and poems while they are young, perhaps even before starting school. As they grow and change, so will their reading tastes. Parents who initiate reading habits in their children will be pleasantly surprised to find that the kids’ academic scores tend to be higher than those who don’t read, especially in language skills. So don’t wait. Go buy or borrow a book for your kids today!

The art of note-taking means that you do just that: you capture the “essence” of a speaker’s remarks rather than try and recount the entire event. But how do you boil it down to basics? Here are some tips that may help:

1. Look for the main idea of the presentation. The title, the speaker’s credentials, and the program outline may provide an overview of the main ideas. Of course it will be impossible to record everything the speaker says unless you plan to use a tape recorder. Instead, plan to jot down a few ideas beside each main point. Some speakers provide PowerPoint handouts or an outline with headings and subheadings. Use these for adding your own ideas.

2. Link main ideas together. As you note patterns that emerge from the presentation, like numbered points between one and five, for example, take notes about these linkages and what they suggest about the overall thesis, or main point. If your handout does not list subpoints, add some of your own, and write a brief explanation for each. In this manner a consistent thread of related meaning can be traced through the entire event.

3. Jot down key words and phrases rather than complete sentences. If you quote the speaker’s comments randomly, use double quotation marks around them to show they were his or her precise words. If time permits, you may want to write a few sentences of summary after each section or following the presentation to help you recall the theme or main idea later.

4. Organize your notes methodically. For example, you may choose to number them using Arabic or Roman numerals. Or you may simply write out main ideas followed by a list of dashes leading to support details. Draw a squiggly line between sections of notes or between speakers’ comments’ notes, if there is more than one presenter. If you use shorthand, be sure you will be able to interpret it later.

5. Consider typing out your notes following the presentation. Unless you have used a laptop during the session, you may find you have several pages of notes that may be hard to decipher. If the session was important for your job or school, you can prepare a typed edition with condensed or expanded notes that come to mind as you rehearse it in your mind again. Then keep the notes on file for future reference, which will optimize the value of the presentation for a long time to come.

Taking notes is not just for secretaries. If you plan to attend an event where someone will be speaking about a topic that is important to you, be prepared to jot down key ideas in a form that you can use later.

To begin managing your time you first need a clearer idea of how you now use your time. The Personal Time Survey will help you to estimate how much time you currently spend in typical activities. To get a more accurate estimate, you might keep track of how you spend your time for a week. This will help you get a better idea of how much time you need to prepare for each subject. It will also help you identify your time wasters. But for now complete the Personal Time Survey to get an estimate. The following survey shows the amount of time you spend on various activities. When taking the survey, estimate the amount of time spent on each item. Once you have this amount, multiply it by seven. This will give you the total time spent on the activity in one week. After each item’s weekly time has been calculated, add all these times for the grand total. Subtract this from 168, the total possible hours per week. Here We Go: 1. Number of hours of sleep each night ________ X 7 = _______ 2. Number of grooming hours per day ________ X 7 = _______ 3. Number of hours for meals/snacks per day – include preparation time ________ X 7 = _______ 4a. Total travel time weekdays ________ X 5= _______ 4b. Total travel time weekends _______ 5. Number of hours per week for regularly scheduled functions (clubs, church, get-togethers, etc.) _______ 6. Number of hours per day for chores, errands, extra grooming, etc. _______ X 7 = _______ 7. Number of hours of work per week _______ 8. Number of hours in class per week _______ 9. Number of average hours per week socializing, dates, etc. Be honest! _______ Now add up the totals: _______ Subtract the above number from 168 168 – _______ = _______ The remaining hours are the hours you have allowed yourself to study.

2. Study Hour Formula

To determine how many hours you need to study each week to get A’s, use the following rule of thumb. Study two hours per hour in class for an easy class, three hours per hour in class for an average class, and four hours per hour in class for a difficult class. For example, basket weaving 101 is a relatively easy 3 hour course. Usually, a person would not do more than 6 hours of work outside of class per week. Advanced calculus is usually considered a difficult course, so it might be best to study the proposed 12 hours a week. If more hours are needed, take away some hours from easier courses, i.e., basket weaving. Figure out the time that you need to study by using the above formula for each of your classes. Easy class credit hours ________ x 2 = _______ Average class credit hours ________ x 3 = _______ Difficult class credit hours ________ x 4 = _______ Total _______ Compare this number to your time left from the survey. Now is the time when many students might find themselves a bit stressed. Just a note to ease your anxieties. It is not only the quantity of study time but also it’s quality. This formula is a general guideline. Try it for a week, and make adjustments as needed.

3. Daily Schedules

There are a variety of time schedules that can fit your personality. These include engagement books, a piece of poster board tacked to a wall, or 3 x 5 cards. Once you decide upon the style, the next step is construction. It is best to allow spaces for each hour, half-hours for a busy schedule. First, put down all of the necessities; classes, work, meals, etc. Now block in your study time (remember the study time formula presented earlier). Schedule it for a time when you are energized. Also, it’s best to review class notes soon after class. Make sure to schedule in study breaks, about 10 minutes each hour. Be realistic on how many courses to take. To succeed in your courses you need to have the time to study. If you find you don’t have time to study and you’re not socializing to an extreme, you might want to consider lightening your load. Tips for Saving Time Now that you know how you spend most of your time, take a look at it. Think about what your most important things are. Do you have enough time? Chances are that you do not. Below are some tips on how to schedule and budget your time when it seems you just don’t have enough.

4. Don’t be a perfectionist

Trying to be a perfect person sets you up for defeat. Nobody can be perfect. Difficult tasks usually result in avoidance and procrastination. You need to set achievable goals, but they should also be challenging. There will always be people both weaker and stronger than you.

5. Learn to say no

For example, an acquaintance of yours would like you to see a movie with him tonight. You made social plans for tomorrow with your friends and tonight you were going to study and do laundry. You really are not interested. You want to say no, but you hate turning people down. Politely saying no should become a habit. Saying no frees up time for the things that are most important.

6. Learn to Prioritize

Prioritizing your responsibilities and engagements is very important. Some people do not know how to prioritize and become procrastinators. A “to do list” places items in order of importance. One method is the ABC list. This list is divided into three sections; a, b, or c. The items placed in the A section are those needed to be done that day. The items placed in the B section need completion within the week. The C section items are those things that need to be done within the month. As the B, C items become more pertinent they are bumped up to the A or B list. Try it or come up with your own method, but do it.

7. Combine several activities

Another suggestion is to combine several activities into one time spot. While commuting to school, listen to taped notes. This allows up to an hour or two a day of good study review. While showering make a mental list of the things that need to be done. When you watch a sit-com, laugh as you pay your bills. These are just suggestions of what you can do to combine your time, but there are many others, above all be creative, and let it work for you.

8. Conclusion

After scheduling becomes a habit, then you can adjust it. It’s better to be precise at first. It is easier to find something to do with extra time then to find extra time to do something. Most importantly, make it work for you. A time schedule that is not personalized and honest is not a time schedule at all.

By George Mason University

Be selective in taking advice. If you’re going to ask other agents what they remember of the test, ask those that took their exams in the last few months. Memories falter and tests change, so at least get the most current advice you can.

Check exam training book dates. Again, tests change over time with business change and to make this passing on of questions and answers more difficult. Look for published study guides that are current.

Learn for the test. You’ll have lots of time after you have your license to expand your knowledge and expertise. Focus now on locating study materials or courses that are designed for “passing the test”. If you’re considering a pre-exam prep course, find out their first-time passing success rate. Some offer free re-training if you fail the first time around.

Read it, know it, or skip it. Good test-taking practice is to answer the questions you know, while not getting bogged down time-wise on those that you’re not sure about. Many are given on computers now, and they usually make it easier to mark and come back to skipped questions. If you know it, answer it. If you’re not sure, move on. It may surprise you how a related question further along in the test will help you with the answer to one that you skipped.

The old stand-by advice still works. The tried-and-true advice to get a good night’s sleep and arrive early and fresh still applies. It’s rare that the midnight oil helps if it’s the midnight before the test.