Taking a History Test the Easy Way

By Naomi Lulu

Taking a history test can be not only a bore but also a major predicament for many. What with the dates, names of events and people that one has to remember and memorize. It can really be a burden. Yet there are tips and techniques to pass any history exam with a breeze. Here's how:

• To make the long list of historical terms easy to remember, one has to avoid memorizing them. Instead, the most effective way is to understand these terms in context.


• In remembering historical dates, it will be better of one associates the dates to something that is relevant or specific. Since one is relying on one's memory, it will be helpful to use the mnemonic system in remembering the dates in the right sequence or order. A mnemonic system is a method in which one associates the information to be memorized or recalled to an easy-to-remember something that can be visual, auditory, or kinesthetic.


• One can also think of something that rhymes with the dates, remembering to make it sound funny and ridiculous so it imprints a better impression in one's mind. The funnier, the better to stick in one's mind. One can also have a story connected plus a strong mental image of the event on that date.


• To improve your memory during history tests, one can visualize a place in one's head. Any place will do as long one can have a clear picture of it in his/her mind. Then, make a list of events that you need to remember along with the place in your head. The list shall comprise the corners or landmarks of the place that you are visualizing in your mind. As you go on tour, you remember the list as landmarks or corners. This method works best when one is remembering a list of events or items. All one needs are keywords and links.


• In answering essay types of tests, read the essay questions very carefully. Look for any directives in the question as this will give you a hint on how to answer the question. It will help if you rephrase the question in your own words and see if it connects with the original question. This will also check if you have understood the question correctly. If it does, then proceed in answering the essay question.


• In writing your easy answer, you have to put your main point at the beginning. Develop each point, one point per paragraph. Don't forget to use transition words of paragraphs to distinguish one point from another.


• Answer all easy questions first. Go back to difficult ones later on.


• Make sure that you have answered all fields of the tests. Easy ones first in ascending order.


• Review your answers. Check for spelling and grammar. If you feel like re-writing some points and you have the necessary time, then by all means do so.


• Inhale. Exhale. Now, you can loosen up.

Taking a history examination need not be a pin in the neck. As long as you develop your study habits and avoid last minute review, then passing a history exam can be as easy as counting 1, 2, and 3.

The article was written by Naomi Lulu a freelance content writer and SEO specialist working for writinghelpblog.com. If you wish to contact Naomi please visit Writing Help Blog and leave a comment.