Go back through your notes and textbooks and find things you underlined or highlighted. This means it’s important information that will probably be on the test. If your teacher did a review session or gave you a review sheet, pay attention to what you have to know from these aids. For example, if your teacher said all the vocabulary words in a chapter will be on the test, list all those words and their definitions.
For a math test, you might be very good at finding the area of a circle, but always forget the formula for circumference. In this case, cross out the formula for area of a circle but keep the formula for circumference.
As an added bonus, reviewing all of this material will help you retain information. The process of making your cheat sheet is just like studying.
On a history test, for example, you might have to know vocabulary words, important people, and important dates. Make these 3 separate categories and put the correct information into each group. If you’re preparing for a chemistry test, a better organization might be formulas, key terms, and element names.
Don’t rely on the cheat sheet completely because you could run out of time on the test. You’ll spend all your time trying to find answers instead of doing the test. Studying in combination with using a cheat sheet sets you up for the most success. Try to start studying around 2 weeks before your exam date.
Pay attention to the size your teacher allows. Your teacher might say you can use a full sheet of paper, or they may only allow an index card. Also remember if your teacher says you can use the front and back of the sheet, or just one side. Check if you can type or handwrite the sheet. If you’re unsure about any of the specifications, double check with your teacher.
On a history test, for example, your headings could be, “American Revolution,” “Constitution,” and “Vocabulary Words. ” On a math test, the sections might be “Area of a Circle,” “Quadratic Equation,” and “Volume. ” In either case, you can quickly find the section you need. If you have room, draw lines between sections so you can quickly see where sections start and end.
For example, don’t fully write out “Mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell. ” Instead, write “Mitochondria = cell powerhouse. ” This gives you all the necessary information with less space. The same logic works for a math exam. For a math test, important information would be formulas and when to use them. Add this information in the quickest way possible. The formula itself and a few words on when to use it tells you all you need to know.
Use an extra-fine ballpoint pen if you have trouble writing small. Don’t use gel pens, because the ink will bleed together and you won’t be able to read your handwriting. Don’t use a pencil or erasable pen. Your writing will smudge. If you’re allowed to type your cheat sheet, making the font small is much easier. Remember that you still have to read the words, though, so don’t make the font too small to see.
Keep track of sections by using a color code on top of the sheet. For example, you could use blue for vocabulary words, red for important people, and black for important dates. Use ink that you can read easily. Light colors like pink might be hard to see, especially if you’re reading quickly. If you don’t have different colored pens, you could also use colored highlighters to distinguish different sections from each other.
On a vocabulary test, for example, it might be hard to distinguish between the key terms and their definitions if there is a lot of writing on the page. Make the job easier by underlining the terms in red ink. That way, you can easily skim the page to find the key terms.
