Midterm Marks Got you Down? You can get back on track. We know you might want to, but don’t throw your midterm away. We’ve got 7 Steps to Get You Back on Track One bad mark isn’t the end of the world. Midterms are usually worth less than the final so you do have time to improve.

Step 1 Figure out how much your midterm mark actually affects your overall mark for the course. It might not be as bad as you think. Use the Mark Calculator to figure it out. We’ve included a link.

Step 2 Got your mark but not the actual midterm? Go to your instructor’s office hours and request to see it. You need to know where you went wrong to get better.

Step 3 Where did you lose marks? Pay attention to the questions that you got wrong, and think about why you got them wrong. Different mistakes call for different ways of preparing and studying.

Step 4 Did you run out of time? Doing problems with an open book or reading through your notes isn’t the same as writing a midterm. Practice answering questions in a timed environment, with your books closed.

Step 5 Did you blank out? It’s easy to blank out when you’re stressed. Find time in your schedule to review course material on a regular basis. Check out our resources for creating a schedule.

Step 6 Test harder than you thought it was going to be? You’ll need to exercise your brain and challenge yourself to be ready for those tough questions. Expert Tip: Create practice questions that include information, scenarios, or problems from different parts of the course. It’s easier to make practice questions in a group. Try working with a study partner or study group.

Step 7 Still, don’t understand how you lost marks? Visit your professor or TA during office hours. That same information will probably be on the next exam You’ll want to make sure you’re ready.

You’ve now got seven steps to get back on track. Need more information?

Check out our resources on exam preparation and analyzing midterm errors. We’ve included a link. https://guides.lib.uoguelph.ca/SucceedatExams

Need Help? Get help via chat or email via the Library website, phone us at 519-824-4120 ext 53617 or visit the AskUs Desk