PREP

PREP is a study system designed to enhance skill acquisition. The basic goal of any study system is to help bring consistency and focus to study sessions. By adopting a consistent routine for studying, you will likely find that you will use your study time more efficiently.

PREP stands for the four steps you should follow every time you sit down to study.

Preview
Read
Evaluate
Practice

Preview:
Skim over the section before the lecture. What is it about? What do you already know or what questions do you have about this topic? How does this topic fit in with the previous topic? Are there new terms or symbols in this section (and what do they mean)?

Read:
After the lecture, block out enough time (1-2 hours) for your study. Read the section very carefully. Read every word. Do not just skip over what you do not understand. Look up words and symbols that you don't know. Use your class notes to help clarify what you read. Read examples and try to ask yourself why each step is taken. Look at graphs, charts or diagrams shown in the book. Make marks on the book to clarify or summarize what you are reading. Continually monitor your concentration and understanding. You may have to re-read a section several times to make sure that you understand it well.

Evaluate:
Your goal in this step is to decide what is important and incorporate this information into some kind of study guide (notes, flash cards, outlines, or whatever it is you use to study). When you are done with this step, you should have a good summary of what you need to know from the section. When you go back to review the section later, refer only to your study aids. You should not have to re-read the section.

Practice:
Now you're ready to BEGIN your homework. Do all of the assigned problems. If you get stuck on a problem, put your pencil down, turn back into the book or notes and review the part that deals with this type of problem. Then close your book and notes and try the problem again from the start. Do not allow yourself to flip back and forth between your homework and the book or your notes. This will not help you learn what you will need to know come test time.

Please see the information about study strategies and test-taking.
References:
Carol C. Kanar, The Confident Student, third Edition, Houghton Mifflin Company, 1998.

Carol Minnick Santa and Donna E. Alvermann, Science Learning: Processes and Applications, International Reading Association, Inc., 1991.

Quantitative Skills Center Web page

Math Department Web page

Albion College home page

Last modified on January 27, 1999 by Karla McCavit.