Study Skills Assessment for College Students

A free assessment that examines a variety of academic success and study skills topics to give you an idea of your abilities.

This free assessment from MyCollegeSuccessStory.com examines a variety of academic success and study skills topics to give you an idea of your abilities -- as well as areas where you might seek to improve. Remember that there is no one way to study, and, in fact, all students must develop an inventory of approaches that work in a variety of different situations.

Directions: Take your time and try to respond to these statements as honestly as possible -- because doing so will give you the most accurate results.

Respond to the following statements with one of four answers: Always True (about me), Often True (about me), Sometimes True (about me), Never True (about me).

1. I have very clear academic goals.
   -Always True
   -Often True
   -Sometimes True
   -Never True

2. I'm good at balancing all my obligations (school, work, social).
   -Always True
   -Often True
   -Sometimes True
   -Never True

3. I can easily stay focused when I study.
   -Always True
   -Often True
   -Sometimes True
   -Never True

4. I tend to make time to study in a daily basis.
   -Always True
   -Often True
   -Sometimes True
   -Never True

5. I always know what's expected of me in each course.
   -Always True
   -Often True
   -Sometimes True
   -Never True

6. I listen carefully to lectures and take strong notes.
   -Always True
   -Often True
   -Sometimes True
   -Never True

7. I have a great system for reading course materials.
   -Always True
   -Often True
   -Sometimes True
   -Never True

8. I always seek to know exactly what is covered on exams.
   -Always True
   -Often True
   -Sometimes True
   -Never True

9. I have a system for relieving stress before it builds up.
   -Always True
   -Often True
   -Sometimes True
   -Never True

10. I like to start on papers as early as possible after they are assigned.
    -Always True
    -Often True
    -Sometimes True
    -Never True

11. I sit in one of the front rows for most of my classes.
    -Always True
    -Often True
    -Sometimes True
    -Never True

12. I strive to do well in all my classes.
    -Always True
    -Often True
    -Sometimes True
    -Never True

13. I have a system for managing all my class assignments.
    -Always True
    -Often True
    -Sometimes True
    -Never True

14. I don't let little things distract me when studying.
    -Always True
    -Often True
    -Sometimes True
    -Never True

15. I typically study in small chunks, followed by short breaks.
    -Always True
    -Often True
    -Sometimes True
    -Never True

16. I always carefully read the syllabus for each class.
    -Always True
    -Often True
    -Sometimes True
    -Never True

17. I have learned how to listen for verbal cues from professors.
    -Always True
    -Often True
    -Sometimes True
    -Never True

18. I always try to complete the readings before class.
    -Always True
    -Often True
    -Sometimes True
    -Never True

19. I generally feel confident when I begin an exam.
    -Always True
    -Often True
    -Sometimes True
    -Never True

20. I do several things to break up studying and reduce stress.
    -Always True
    -Often True
    -Sometimes True
    -Never True

21. I generally develop outlines for all my written projects.
    -Always True
    -Often True
    -Sometimes True
    -Never True

22. I ask questions or contribute to class discussions regularly
    -Always True
    -Often True
    -Sometimes True
    -Never True

23. I'm always looking for new ways to improve my grades
    -Always True
    -Often True
    -Sometimes True
    -Never True

24. I rarely have to pull an all-nighter before an exam or paper.
    -Always True
    -Often True
    -Sometimes True
    -Never True

25. When I study, I give my undivided attention to the material.
    -Always True
    -Often True
    -Sometimes True
    -Never True

26. I've developed several study methods that work for me.
    -Always True
    -Often True
    -Sometimes True
    -Never True

27. I assume responsibility for knowing course requirements.
    -Always True
    -Often True
    -Sometimes True
    -Never True

28. I rewrite my class notes for clarity and studying.
    -Always True
    -Often True
    -Sometimes True
    -Never True

29. I outline or take notes for all my class reading assignments.
    -Always True
    -Often True
    -Sometimes True
    -Never True

30. I always attend review sessions run by the professor.
    -Always True
    -Often True
    -Sometimes True
    -Never True

31. I usually feel in control when it comes to school and classwork.
    -Always True
    -Often True
    -Sometimes True
    -Never True

32. I know the secret to great writing is multiple drafts and rewrites.
    -Always True
    -Often True
    -Sometimes True
    -Never True

33. I meet with my professor if I have any questions or concerns.
    -Always True
    -Often True
    -Sometimes True
    -Never True

Study Skills Assessment Scoring

Want to know your results? Here's our scoring guide.

Questions about some of the terminology used in this article? Get more information (definitions and links) on key academic terms by going to our College Success Glossary. 

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