Five Scientifically Proven Ways to Score Better on Tests | Makayla Gubbay

Five Scientifically Proven Ways to Score Better on Tests

By Makayla Gubbay

We’ve heard it all before: the key to good test scores (and almost anything in life) is getting enough sleep, eating healthy food, and doing some light exercise. But what happens when you’ve done all the basic procedures and still find yourself scoring less-than-stellar on your tests? If the basics aren’t enough for your academic success, here are five unheard of (and highly efficient) ways you can improve your grades, and possibly your life.

1. Download Internet-Locks

As noted by Gurl.com, apps like Cold Turkey can get rid of internet temptations once and for all! Just simply download the app and choose the websites you want to block. When you block a website for a few hours, you make it impossible to distract yourself with BuzzFeed quizzes and interesting articles. If Iphones are your biggest cause of distraction, you can download apps like Freedom to block other apps.

1. Change Your Learning Perspective

According to a scientific paper published by ScienceDirect, “[When a teenager has] high cognitive activity and achievement motivation[,] positive emotions play a key role in maintaining high academic success and engagement.” So if you’re an overachiever whose school life is causing yourself extreme stress, it may be helpful to dedicate more time to what makes you happy. You may find doing what you love for an hour, like painting or playing an instrument, could significantly improve your grades while even improving your quality of life.

1. Adopt Mindfulness Meditation Practices

Mindfulness practices, including mediation, are being increasingly relevant in today’s society, with new evidence constantly proving its ability to aid numerous aspects of life, both mental and psychical. However, what makes mindfulness meditation interventions so interesting the beneficial impacts it could have on your learning. These practices have been found to increase short-term academic performance, while improving in-class learning. Other studies found that it can even help individuals manage ADHD. Incorporating mindfulness meditation into your life can be as simple as devoting five minutes of your day to meditational concentration practices.

1. Change Things Up

Tired of studying in the same room for hours every night? Apparently, your brain is too. According to The New York Times, a study found that changing up your location can increase studying efficiency. “What we think is happening here is that, when the outside context is varied, the information is enriched, and this slows down forgetting,”Dr. Bjork, the senior author of the two-room experiment, told The New York Times. So the next time you’re in a studying runt, try a change of scenery.

1. Become a Teacher

Studies show that the ability to retain information is enhanced significantly when a student teaches the material to another person. You can do this by teaching your family members, and even becoming a peer tutor.

With enough determination, you are sure to find a system that works for you. Just remember that, while these tips could give you the extra edge you need to move up a letter grade, it’s still important to implement the essentials. So get enough sleep, eat some healthy food, and do some light exercise! Your brain (and body) will thank you.