Student Academic Success Inventory

DIRECTIONS: Circle the letters N, R, S, U, and A to indicate whether each of the following statements is Never, Rarely, Sometimes, Usually, or Always true of you. Since there are no right or wrong answers, answer as honestly as possible for you. (Suggestion for working with this inventory: Since the first part of this document is the inventory portion, you may wish to record your answers on paper or even print out at least the first page before attempting it.)

1. When studying for a test, I read and reread my class notes and the course readings	N R S U A
2. I Memorize definitions for my courses	N R S U A
3. When I study for a test, I copy sections of my notes over.	N R S U A
4. I memorize key words to remind me of important concepts on a test.	N R S U A
5. When I study, I practice saying the material to myself over and over.	N R S U A

Scale Description of Inventory

The Rehearsing to Learn scale measures the extent to which you engage in study behaviors that can assist you in remembering key concepts in your courses.

Scoring:

Give yourself 1 point for each N that you circled, 2 points for each R, 3 points for each S, 4 points for each U, and 5 points for each A.

Now calculate and write your total score in the space provided.

TOTAL SCORE_________

Interpreting your score:

Circle the Score Range in which your Total Score falls. The Category and Percentile Range for the particular Score Range are based on limited samples

at three different colleges and universities.

SCORE RANGE CATEGORY PERCENTILE RANGE

5-8 Very Low 1-15

9-12 Low 16-35

13-18 Average 36-65

19-21 High 66-85

22-25 Very High 86-99

Although most students could benefit from the effective use of rehearsal strategies, students in the Low and Very Low categories will probably benefit most from the suggestions and tips below.

Rehearsing to Learn Study Tips

REHEARSAL STRATEGIES: Rehearsal strategies provide ways to practice responses in studying or reviewing.

1. MAKE A LIST OF KEY CONCEPTS, TOPICS, WORDS, OR TERMS

These concepts and terms will serve as the core of your material. You will use them to organize the material and to generate possible questions.

2. COMBINE INFORMATION FROM CLASS NOTES AND READINGS

Create subsets of notes and readings that are organized around key concepts. On a sheet of paper write the concept at the tops and then combine material from notes and readings under that heading.

3. MAKE A LIST OF POSSIBLE TEST ITEMS

Your instructor may have indicated that "this is a good test question" during lecture. Definitions and lists provide good test items. Discussion questions may be created from key concepts. If there are different points of view in your material, compare and contrast questions are possible test items. Study questions in the text are also a source for questions.

4. SAMPLE TESTS OR TEST ITEMS

If the instructor does not post sample tests from previous classes, ask for some sample questions.

5. MEMORIZING

In some instances it is necessary to memorize definitions or lists. There are specific techniques which may aid memorizing in some cases. It may be possible to group material around similarities which will reduce the amount of material to be memorized. Note cards with the word on one side and definition on the other may be used as flash cards. Mnemonics and acronyms may also be used to aid memory.

6. ACTIVE LEARNING

After rereading and rewriting your materials, use many different activities to rehearse the material. These activities include reciting or writing responses

to yourself, reciting or writing responses to peers, using devices such as flash cards to quiz yourself and others, drawing diagrams or labeling diagrams,

and quizzing each other in groups such as in a game show format.