Parents can help their children learn to study for tests by following these basic steps:

1. Brainstorm about possible test questions. Encourage your child to review her class notes. What did the teacher seem to think was most important? That probably means it will be a question on the test. Write a list of questions the teacher may ask. Then help your child think about how she’d answer them.

2. Pay attention to the material the teacher handed out. Let your child know that if the teacher handed it out, she must think it’s important.

3. Memorize. Your child might write the things he has to memorize on a 3x5 card. You can help him by using the cards to quiz him on important facts.

4. Review. If your child has a test coming up, have her set aside some time to review for several days before the test. Many students try to put off studying until the last possible second. That often leads to “cramming,” which usually leads to a poor grade.

5. Help your child learn when it’s time to stop studying. As a general rule, students should never study up to the last minute before an exam. It’s best to have them stop the day before the test—or at least a few hours before.

6. Make sure your child gets enough rest the night before the exam. That way, he’ll have the energy and the self-confidence she needs.

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