From passive to high impact!

Before any test, a few minutes of planning can dramatically improve how effectively your child studies. For best results on upcoming assessments, here are four questions to ask and answer before they begin:

What will be on the test?

Identify the units, chapters, concepts, and skills. Finals cover a lot—naming what’s included immediately shrinks the overwhelm.

What’s the format of the test? 

Multiple-choice, short answer, longer essay? Understanding the format will inform your child’s study strategies. 

What do I already know?

A quick gut-check (“Confident,” “Sort of,” “Not yet”) builds self-awareness and prevents hours spent re-studying what they already understand.

What’s the best way to fill the gaps?

Choose active study methods to ensure deeper understanding of the material like practice problems for math, flashcards for vocabulary, and teaching more complex material to a parent or a friend. 

This four-question routine helps students shift from passive reviewing to strategic, high-impact studying. It strengthens planning, prioritization, and time management, and students will walk into their exam with confidence.