Welcome

About the Book

We know students have more to learn than ever before and there is a lot of pressure to perform well on tests, demonstrating superior learning. However, common study strategies such as cramming, highlighting text, and repeated reading have little impact in the longer-term. This exciting new text reveals the effective study strategies that will help you to use your time more efficiently, ace your tests, and retain information over time.

In full colour and accompanied by beautifully illustrated graphics, Ace That Test offers evidence-based learning strategies that students can use during their study sessions, including dual coding and the power of retrieving what they know. Including concrete examples of the ways students can use each strategy, illustrations to leverage dual coding principles of learning, and questions and activities for retrieval practice, the book covers:

  • How to prepare the mind for learning
  • Making better decisions about what you study
  • Planning study sessions
  • Use visuals and words to aid understanding
  • Understanding concepts
  • Improving learning in the long run
  • Reading and note-taking strategies

With QR codes linking to answers to embedded questions and supplemental material, this is essential reading for college, university, and school students as well as educators teaching study skills or learning to learn courses.

Endorsements

"The Learning Scientists have done it again!  In their new book 'Ace That Test' they seamlessly meld scientific research with practical application in an easily accessible manner certain to help students gain agency over their learning.  Excellent book."

Dr. Jared Cooney Horvath, The Science of Learning Group, Melbourne, Australia

Ace That Test is the ‘must read’ handbook for students providing current and efficient learning and study habits. Students world-wide deserve the opportunity to learn from this book and employ the evidenced-based practical tips to improve their academic performance and lifelong learning.”

Deanne Clark, Brisbane, AU

"The Learning Scientists have long been my go-to source for accurate, lively, and useful advice about teaching and learning. In this excellent book, all students have a practical, research-based resource explaining how best (and how not!) to study, remember, and learn.”

Andrew Watson, author of Learning Begins and The Goldilocks Map

Ace That Test delivers multiple evidence-based approaches to learning, including practical examples, and it is engaging and easy to comprehend. The step-by-step approaches, with just the right amount of humor and anecdotes, make this a fantastic resource, encouraging real learning, for students and educators alike.”

James Barraclough, Director of Undergraduate Initiatives, Washburn University, USA.

About the authors and illustrator

All four authors earned Ph.D.s in Cognitive Psychology, and serve as faculty at academic institutions where they teach, conduct research on how students learn most effectively and efficiently as well as how to encourage students to use evidence-based strategies, publish academic papers and books, and serve their institutions and larger communities. They frequently give talks and workshops around the world about the effective and efficient use of the science of learning in the classroom and other learning settings such as museums, the US State Department, hospitals, corporate settings, and more.

Megan Sumeracki earned her Ph.D. at Purdue University and is an Associate Professor of Psychology at Rhode Island College. She is one of the original co-founders of The Learning Scientists and is a co-author of the award-winning book Understanding How We Learn: A Visual Guide. In her free time, Megan enjoys crocheting, scrapbooking and general crafting, and traveling to new places to hike and go wine tasting. She lives in Rhode Island in the US with her husband Sam, daughter Molly, and two cats Ellie and Teddy. You can follow her work on Twitter @DrSumeracki.

Cynthia Nebel earned her Ph.D. at Washington University in St. Louis and is a Senior Lecturer in the Leadership and Learning in Organizations Ed.D. program at Vanderbilt University where she teaches both the science of learning and also leads doctoral students through their capstone research. In her free time, Cynthia enjoys spending time with her family, especially exploring new outdoor parks and hiking trails. She lives in the greater St. Louis area in the US with her husband Steve, three children Lindsey, Teddy, and Annabelle, and puppy Bailey Rose. You can follow her work on Twitter @PsyDocCindy.

Carolina Kuepper-Tetzel earned her Ph.D. at the University of Mannheim and is a Senior Lecturer in Psychology at the University of Glasgow (US equivalent: Associate Professor). She founded the Teaching Innovation & Learning Enhancement (TILE) network to bring together different disciplines and educational sectors to overcome issues in education with research-informed approaches. In her free time, Carolina enjoys spending time with family and friends, listening to vinyl records, reading books, and watching movies and series. She lives in Glasgow, Scotland with her husband Patrick and son Emil. You can follow her work on Twitter @pimpmymemory.

Althea Need Kaminske earned her Ph.D. at Purdue University and is both Chair and Associate Professor of Psychology at St. Bonaventure University, where she co-founded the Center for Attention, Learning, and Memory (CALM). She is a co-author of the book Five Teaching and Learning Myths – Debunked. In her free time, Althea enjoys going on walks with her family, reading science fiction, fantasy, and romance, and playing Dungeons & Dragons. She lives in western New York state in the US with her husband Tim, son Calvin, dog Bree, and cat Sushi. You can follow her work on Twitter @DrSilverFox.

Together, they make up the Learning Scientists Team (www.learningscientists.org). You can follow us on twitter @AceThatTest.

Karina Tiller, our illustrator, earned her BFA in Graphic Design at Webster University and now works as a Creative Director in the modern furniture industry by day and an illustration artist by night. She has given numerous lectures and talks, and her work has been published in both print and digital editorial. In her free time, Karina enjoys picnics in the park with friends and family, endless true crime podcasts, volunteering at a local animal shelter, and collecting tropical plants despite residing in the Midwest. She lives in St. Louis, Missouri in the US with her beagle, Penelope. You can follow her work on Instagram @by__karina.

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Please visit www.learningscientists.org for additional resources and information.