Study Skills Inventory

Inventory of College-Level Study Skills

Please read this before proceeding!

Please fill in the spaces for First Name, Last Name, and Email. After answering all of the questions, you will need to hit the Calculate button to receive your scores.

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To gain a better understanding of yourself as a learner, it is helpful to identify the study skills you now employ. When compared to learners who get A's, you can see where your study skills need refinement or are maximized just the way they are. The following diagnostic test is a short and quick device for assessing your study skills.

This is not a timed test. You surely may ask for assistance when and where you feel you need it. Answer each question as honestly as you can. There are 51 questions.

Directions:

Read each statement. Think carefully about each statement and respond as truthfully as you can.

Click on the radio button under the column that best describes your study skill.

Text Book Reading

		Almost Always	More than half of the time	About half of the time	Less than half of the time	Almost never
1.	I formulate questions from a chapter before, during, or after reading.	Question 1 – Almost always	Question 1 – More than half of the time	Question 1 – About half of the time	Question 1 – Less than half of the time	Question 1 – Almost never
2.	Before reading an assignment, I survey headings, bold print, italics, questions, summaries, etc.	Question 2 – Almost always	Question 2 – More than half of the time	Question 2 – About half of the time	Question 2 – Less than half of the time	Question 2 – Almost never
3.	I try to get the meaning of new terms as I encounter them the first time.	Question 3 – Almost always	Question 3 – More than half of the time	Question 3 – About half of the time	Question 3 – Less than half of the time	Question 3 – Almost never
4.	I formulate answers to questions I have made as I read an assignment.	Question 4 – Almost always	Question 4 – More than half of the time	Question 4 – About half of the time	Question 4 – Less than half of the time	Question 4 – Almost never
5.	I look for main ideas as I read.	Question 5 – Almost always	Question 5 – More than half of the time	Question 5 – About half of the time	Question 5 – Less than half of the time	Question 5 – Almost never
6.	I am able to readily identify clarifying details under each main idea.	Question 6 – Almost always	Question 6 – More than half of the time	Question 6 – About half of the time	Question 6 – Less than half of the time	Question 6 – Almost never
7.	I read a textbook chapter more than once.	Question 7 – Almost always	Question 7 – More than half of the time	Question 7 – About half of the time	Question 7 – Less than half of the time	Question 7 – Almost never
8.	I use a textbook study system such as SQ3R, OK5R, etc.	Question 8 – Almost always	Question 8 – More than half of the time	Question 8 – About half of the time	Question 8 – Less than half of the time	Question 8 – Almost never

Note-taking

		Almost Always	More than half of the time	About half of the time	Less than half of the time	Almost never
9.	I take notes as I read textbook assignments.	Question 9 – Almost always	Question 9 – More than half of the time	Question 9 – About half of the time	Question 9 – Less than half of the time	Question 9 – Almost never
10.	I take notes in lectures.	Question 10 – Almost always	Question 10 – More than half of the time	Question 10 – About half of the time	Question 10 – Less than half of the time	Question 10 – Almost never
11.	After taking notes, I review them before going on to something else.	Question 11 – Almost always	Question 11 – More than half of the time	Question 11 – About half of the time	Question 11 – Less than half of the time	Question 11 – Almost never
12.	I rewrite lecture notes.	Question 12 – Almost always	Question 12 – More than half of the time	Question 12 – About half of the time	Question 12 – Less than half of the time	Question 12 – Almost never
13.	I compare notes with one or more other students to check completeness and accuracy.	Question 13 – Almost always	Question 13 – More than half of the time	Question 13 – About half of the time	Question 13 – Less than half of the time	Question 13 – Almost never

Memory

		Almost Always	More than half of the time	About half of the time	Less than half of the time	Almost never
14.	I review notes more than once or twice for exams and quizzes.	Question 14 – Almost always	Question 14 – More than half of the time	Question 14 – About half of the time	Question 14 – Less than half of the time	Question 14 – Almost never
15.	I use mnemonics.	Question 15 – Almost always	Question 15 – More than half of the time	Question 15 – About half of the time	Question 15 – Less than half of the time	Question 15 – Almost never
16.	I use visuals in my notes such as sketches, mind maps, diagrams, charts, etc.	Question 16 – Almost always	Question 16 – More than half of the time	Question 16 – About half of the time	Question 16 – Less than half of the time	Question 16 – Almost never
17.	I quiz myself over material that could appear on future exams and quizzes.	Question 17 – Almost always	Question 17 – More than half of the time	Question 17 – About half of the time	Question 17 – Less than half of the time	Question 17 – Almost never
18.	I organize details to main ideas into numbered or lettered lists.	Question 18 – Almost always	Question 18 – More than half of the time	Question 18 – About half of the time	Question 18 – Less than half of the time	Question 18 – Almost never
19.	I convert text and lecture material into my own words.	Question 19 – Almost always	Question 19 – More than half of the time	Question 19 – About half of the time	Question 19 – Less than half of the time	Question 19 – Almost never
20.	I think about material that could be on exams and quizzes when I am not studying.	Question 20 – Almost always	Question 20 – More than half of the time	Question 20 – About half of the time	Question 20 – Less than half of the time	Question 20 – Almost never
21.	I try to understand material in my notes as opposed to memorizing.	Question 21 – Almost always	Question 21 – More than half of the time	Question 21 – About half of the time	Question 21 – Less than half of the time	Question 21 – Almost never
22.	I try to organize main ideas and details into some logical or meaningful order.	Question 22 – Almost always	Question 22 – More than half of the time	Question 22 – About half of the time	Question 22 – Less than half of the time	Question 22 – Almost never

Test Preparation

		Almost Always	More than half of the time	About half of the time	Less than half of the time	Almost never
23.	I study with a classmate or group.	Question 23 – Almost always	Question 23 – More than half of the time	Question 23 – About half of the time	Question 23 – Less than half of the time	Question 23 – Almost never
24.	When I don't understand something, I get help from classmates, tutors, instructors, SI leaders, etc.	Question 24 – Almost always	Question 24 – More than half of the time	Question 24 – About half of the time	Question 24 – Less than half of the time	Question 24 – Almost never
25.	I do all homework assignments.	Question 25 – Almost always	Question 25 – More than half of the time	Question 25 – About half of the time	Question 25 – Less than half of the time	Question 25 – Almost never
26.	I turn in all homework assignments on time.	Question 26 – Almost always	Question 26 – More than half of the time	Question 26 – About half of the time	Question 26 – Less than half of the time	Question 26 – Almost never
27.	I can easily identify what I have learned and what I have not yet learned before I take a test.	Question 27 – Almost always	Question 27 – More than half of the time	Question 27 – About half of the time	Question 27 – Less than half of the time	Question 27 – Almost never
28.	I review notes for a class before I go to that class.	Question 28 – Almost always	Question 28 – More than half of the time	Question 28 – About half of the time	Question 28 – Less than half of the time	Question 28 – Almost never
29.	I read assigned material before I go to class.	Question 29 – Almost always	Question 29 – More than half of the time	Question 29 – About half of the time	Question 29 – Less than half of the time	Question 29 – Almost never
30.	I begin studying for an exam from the first week material is assigned or covered in lecture.	Question 30 – Almost always	Question 30 – More than half of the time	Question 30 – About half of the time	Question 30 – Less than half of the time	Question 30 – Almost never
31.	I review lecture notes soon after class.	Question 31 – Almost always	Question 31 – More than half of the time	Question 31 – About half of the time	Question 31 – Less than half of the time	Question 31 – Almost never
32.	I keep up to date on assignments and homework.	Question 32 – Almost always	Question 32 – More than half of the time	Question 32 – About half of the time	Question 32 – Less than half of the time	Question 32 – Almost never
33.	I eat well-balanced meals daily.	Question 33 – Almost always	Question 33 – More than half of the time	Question 33 – About half of the time	Question 33 – Less than half of the time	Question 33 – Almost never
34.	I exercise daily.	Question 34 – Almost always	Question 34 – More than half of the time	Question 34 – About half of the time	Question 34 – Less than half of the time	Question 34 – Almost never
35.	I have taken learning skills classes or learning skills workshops when I know about them.	Question 35 – Almost always	Question 35 – More than half of the time	Question 35 – About half of the time	Question 35 – Less than half of the time	Question 35 – Almost never

Concentration

		Almost Always	More than half of the time	About half of the time	Less than half of the time	Almost never
36.	I study where it is quiet when trying to learn and remember something.	Question 36 – Almost always	Question 36 – More than half of the time	Question 36 – About half of the time	Question 36 – Less than half of the time	Question 36 – Almost never
37.	I study for a length of time then take a short break before returning to studying.	Question 37 – Almost always	Question 37 – More than half of the time	Question 37 – About half of the time	Question 37 – Less than half of the time	Question 37 – Almost never
38.	I study in the same place.	Question 38 – Almost always	Question 38 – More than half of the time	Question 38 – About half of the time	Question 38 – Less than half of the time	Question 38 – Almost never
39.	I avoid cramming.	Question 39 – Almost always	Question 39 – More than half of the time	Question 39 – About half of the time	Question 39 – Less than half of the time	Question 39 – Almost never
40.	I have all my study equipment handy to my study place (pens, paper, calculator, etc.)	Question 40 – Almost always	Question 40 – More than half of the time	Question 40 – About half of the time	Question 40 – Less than half of the time	Question 40 – Almost never
41.	When I sit down to study, I tell myself that I intend to study.	Question 41 – Almost always	Question 41 – More than half of the time	Question 41 – About half of the time	Question 41 – Less than half of the time	Question 41 – Almost never
42.	I break larger tasks into smaller segments in order to complete a large assignment.	Question 42 – Almost always	Question 42 – More than half of the time	Question 42 – About half of the time	Question 42 – Less than half of the time	Question 42 – Almost never
43.	When the subject matter is not naturally interesting, I find ways to learn it anyway.	Question 43 – Almost always	Question 43 – More than half of the time	Question 43 – About half of the time	Question 43 – Less than half of the time	Question 43 – Almost never
44.	It is difficult to pay attention in class.	Question 44 – Almost always	Question 44 – More than half of the time	Question 44 – About half of the time	Question 44 – Less than half of the time	Question 44 – Almost never
45.	I avoid studying in the evenings as much as possible.	Question 45 – Almost always	Question 45 – More than half of the time	Question 45 – About half of the time	Question 45 – Less than half of the time	Question 45 – Almost never

Time Management

		Almost Always	More than half of the time	About half of the time	Less than half of the time	Almost never
46.	I use a calendar book for recording daily and weekly upcoming academic and personal activities.	Question 46 – Almost always	Question 46 – More than half of the time	Question 46 – About half of the time	Question 46 – Less than half of the time	Question 46 – Almost never
47.	I use lists such as daily "to do" lists, assignment lists, etc. to organize academic and personal activities.	Question 47 – Almost always	Question 47 – More than half of the time	Question 47 – About half of the time	Question 47 – Less than half of the time	Question 47 – Almost never
48.	I set up a master schedule of fixed monthly activities such as classes, work, club meetings, etc.	Question 48 – Almost always	Question 48 – More than half of the time	Question 48 – About half of the time	Question 48 – Less than half of the time	Question 48 – Almost never
49.	I write out short-term and long-term academic goals.	Question 49 – Almost always	Question 49 – More than half of the time	Question 49 – About half of the time	Question 49 – Less than half of the time	Question 49 – Almost never
50.	I start papers and projects way before they are due.	Question 50 – Almost always	Question 50 – More than half of the time	Question 50 – About half of the time	Question 50 – Less than half of the time	Question 50 – Almost never
51.	I study at least 2 hours for every hour I am in class.	Question 51 – Almost always	Question 51 – More than half of the time	Question 51 – About half of the time	Question 51 – Less than half of the time	Question 51 – Almost never

Your Results Follow:

Textbooks Score	Note-taking Score	Memory Score

Less than a score of 30 suggests changes in textbook reading skills are likely to increase your grades	Less than a score of 20 suggests changes in note-taking skills are likely to increase your grades	Less than a score of 30 suggests changes in memory skills are likely to increase your grades
Test Preparation Score	Concentration Score	Time Management Score

Less than a score of 40 suggests changes in test preparation skills are likely to increase your grades	Less than a score of 35 suggests changes in concentration skills are likely to increase your grades	Less than a score of 20 suggests changes in time management are likely to increase your grades

List the study skills where you are likely to increase your grades if you made changes. Talk over your results with a learning skills specialist or a learning skills instructor. Print this page for easy reference with your advisor.

This survey was developed by Dennis H. Congos, MSEd. at the University of Central Florida.

Questions
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Study Skills Inventory

Inventory of College-Level Study Skills

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