This is a form of evaluation given to students midway into the duration of an academic term to review the subjects taught over that period of time. Thus, a midterm exam is a kind of formative assessment, which assesses students’ knowledge of the course materials and spots areas that require work.

Unlike smaller tests, quizzes, or even some papers, a midterm exam will have a bigger impact on a student’s overall grade for the class. Though the format of midterm exams can vary from one educational institution to the other, they can have short-answer, multiple-choice, essay-type, or fill-in-the-blanks questions. It will depend on a course’s professor whether the midterm exam is held during class time or a take-home exam.

Since midterm exams help assess a student’s current progress in class and determine subject areas where they need to improve, they can be useful in preparing for one’s final exams. As midterm exams affect a student’s final grade, it’s important to study effectively for them. Depending on the course, a subject’s midterm exam may count for only 5% of one’s final grade, while for another, it could count for 20%.

Since every student has a unique way of studying, which is different from others, there’s no blanket preparation method that works for everyone. However, some of these study techniques can help students prepare well for their midterm exams:

1.                  Combine different learning styles: A student should know their learning style and have a clear idea of which study method works the best for them. Typically, learning styles are divided into three categories, namely visual learning, auditory learning, and kinesthetic learning. Visual learners do well by using visual concepts like graphs, images, and mind maps to process information. Sound-based learning that involves recorded class sessions, vocal discussions, etc., is ideal for auditory learners. Those who prefer hands-on learning techniques can work on projects or conduct experiments to prepare for their midterm exams. Students can even combine two learning styles if they feel it will help them study more productively while decreasing their time for exam preparation.

2.                  Stay updated with class work: Completing class assignments on time, speaking to the professor to get the doubts cleared, forming a study group with peers, and taking help from a tutor on campus are other ways to study effectively for the midterm exam.

Chalk out a study plan: This is crucial to use the available time wisely to study smart and ace the midterm exam.