Thought you knew all the information, but it slips your mind as you sit down to take your final? What do you do?

First, calm yourself by taking deep breaths and thinking positively. Once you calm down, here are some strategies to help you when you're unsure of the answer.

Multiple choice test-taking tips

1. Read the question and try to come up with the answer in your head before looking at the available choices.
2. Cross out all answers that you know are wrong.
3. In a question with "All of the above", if there are at least 2 correct statements, then "All of the above" is probably correct.
4. A positive choice is more likely to be true than a negative one.
5. Usually, the correct answer is the choice with the most information.
6. Trust your first choice, normally that is correct.

True/False test-taking tips

1. Usually, there are more true answers than false ones.
2. Read through each statement carefully, and pay attention to the qualifiers like "never, always and every". These words mean that the statement must be true all of the time. Usually, these types of questions are false.
3. Qualifiers like "usually, sometimes and generally" mean the statement can be considered true or false depending on the circumstances. Usually, these types of questions are true.
4. If any part of the question is false, then the entire statement is false. 
5. If part of a statement is true, it doesn't necessarily make the entire statement true.

Essay test tips

1. Read the directions carefully and make sure you understand what the question is asking you.
2. Budget your time, don't spend the entire test time on one essay.
3. If the question is asking for facts, don't give personal opinions.
4. Make a quick outline before writing your essay. Perform a brain dump so you don't forget information you studied. 

Remember in the big scheme of things, this is just a test. Focus on what you know.

The Academic Success Center will be open during finals. Come by for tutoring or a quiet place to study. Tutoring for the fall ends at 5 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 11.

Good luck on your finals!