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How to Study for a Spelling Test

Five Methods:Mastering Basic Study TipsTracing, Copying, and Recalling SpellingsMemorizing Spellings with Reverse ChainingFocusing on Difficult Parts of WordsGetting In Extra PracticeCommunity Q&A

Spelling tests can be a real challenge. The keys to preparing for a spelling test are memorization and practice. Using and spelling the words correctly before the test can help you become more familiar with how they are spelled, what they sound like, and how they should be written down. Despite the challenge that spelling tests can present, there are a few methods that you can use to study your word lists, master the correct spellings, and ace your test.

Method 1
Mastering Basic Study Tips

  1. 1
    Look up tough words. If you don't know how to spell a difficult word, take a few moments and look it up. Spelling a word wrong will only reinforce the incorrect spelling. It's important that you practice spelling your words with the correct spelling. This will help you remember how to spell the word the right way and pass your spelling test.[1]
  2. 2
    Practice. The simplest way to prepare for your spelling test is to get in regular practice. If you aren't using and spelling the words you need to study, you may begin to forget exactly how to spell them. By regularly studying, using, and spelling the words on the test, you can make recalling the correct spelling much easier.[2][3]
    • Try to practice your spelling words at least once a day.
    • Using your study words on other projects can be a good way to get in extra practice.
    • Don't leave practicing your words until the last minute. Always avoid cramming before your spelling tests.
  3. 3
    Don't study too many words at once. Although you may have a long list of words that you need to study, overdoing it can actually cause problems. It's much easier for you to study a smaller section of your word list and retain that information, than it is to study all the words at once. If you have a lot of words to study, try breaking them down into smaller groups to make them easier to manage and remember.[4]
  4. 4
    Review your words. Even if you feel that you've gotten in some good practice and that you know how to spell at word, taking some time to review them can be a good idea. Reviewing the word after practice and study can help show you just how well you actually remember the spelling. A good review session can also count as extra practice and will help you do your best on the spelling test.[5]
  5. 5
    Say your words out loud. It can be helpful to say any words you are studying out-loud. This can help give you a sound to associate with the spelling of the word. You should try to say the word, the sounds, and the letters aloud whenever you are practicing the spelling of a word. If you are unsure of how to say a word, ask someone to read it out to you.[6]
    • Imagine you are studying the word “cough”. Try to say the word out loud as it is normally pronounced when you are learning to spell it.
    • It can help to stretch the word out. Try saying something like “cawwwfff” while writing it the word “cough” down.
  6. 6
    Use the words you are studying. Beyond getting in regular practice, using the words in everyday writing or speaking can be helpful. Try to write sentences using the words on your study list or working them into conversations. The more exposure you have to these new words, the more likely you will be to remember them during the test. You'll also be able to build a bigger vocabulary that you can put to use after your test.[7][8]
    • Try to think of some different phrases that you can use to help you recall the spelling of a word.
    • Knowing the meaning of the words can help you recall how they are spelled.

Method 2
Tracing, Copying, and Recalling Spellings

  1. 1
    Get three sheets of paper. To use the trace, copy and recall method of study, you'll need three pieces of paper. One piece will be for the list of words you want to study and trace, another sheet will be for you to copy the words onto, and the final sheet will be used for you to write words down from memory. Go ahead and get these sheets of paper ready before you get started.[9]
    • You can write the function of each sheet at the top of the paper.
    • On your tracing sheet, write down every word that you want to study.
    • Leave your copy and recall sheet blank for now.
  2. 2
    Trace the first word on your list. Once you've gotten your tracing paper prepared, having written down a list of the words you want to study, you can begin tracing the first word. Take your time to carefully trace over the letters, saying them out-loud as you do. It can also help to read the word out loud both before and after you trace it. Tracing the word will help build familiarity with it, allowing you to recall it from memory later on.[10]
  3. 3
    Copy the first word on your list. Once you've traced the word on the tracing sheet, copy it down on your copy sheet. You can look at the word on your tracing sheet to make sure you are spelling it correctly. Try to say the word out-loud before you write it down and make sure to say each letter as you write it. Copying it from your tracing sheet will help you build muscle memory, allowing your hand to form the lines more easily during your test.[11]
  4. 4
    Hide your tracing and copy sheets. Now it's time to write the first word on your list from memory. Take a look at the first word on your list and memorize it. Now, turn your copy and tracing sheets over, hiding the word lists from view. On your recall sheet, write down the word you've been practicing from memory. Saying the entire word out-loud as well as every letter can help you to recall the word as you write it. Once you've written the word down, look at your tracing sheet to compare and see how well you did.[12].

Method 3
Memorizing Spellings with Reverse Chaining

  1. 1
    Find a word you want to study. This method of study will require you to select a word, say it out loud and then write it down. Say each letter out-loud as you write the word to help build familiarity with its spelling. Make sure the word is spelled correctly before moving on.[13][14]
  2. 2
    Write the word again, minus one letter. Move down a few lines on your paper and write the word again. Make sure you say the entire word out-loud before writing it, speaking out each letter as well. However, you will not write the last letter of the word down for this step. Even though you are not writing the last letter down, you should still say it out loud.[15]
  3. 3
    Continue eliminating letters. Keep moving down to the next line and writing one less letter every time you spell the word. You should still be saying the entire word and each letter aloud, even though you aren't spelling the entire thing. Continue removing letters until you only have the first letter of the word remaining.[16]
  4. 4
    Rebuild the word. Fold your paper in half, hiding the original spelling of the word. Start rebuilding the word by saying the whole word and every letter aloud. Write only the first and last letters of the word. Move to a new section on the paper. Say the word and spell it out, adding in the two final letters of it. Continue in this way until you have completely spelled the word out again.[17]
    • For example, you would start by writing the word “tower” as 't___r”. You would then write “t__er”. Add another letter to get “t_wer”. Finish the word by writing “tower”.
    • Double check that you've spelled the word correctly.
    • Avoid looking at the original spelling of the word while you are rebuilding it.
    • You can also try removing syllables instead of letters.

Method 4
Focusing on Difficult Parts of Words

  1. 1
    Break a tough word down. Some words seem to be spelled in strange ways, being pronounced differently from how they are written. Other words have long spellings and can be difficult to remember. To help you remember how to spell difficult words, you can try breaking them down into parts and focusing on the places that give you trouble.[18][19]
    • For example, the word “weird” might give you trouble because of the I and E.
    • You might try breaking the word down into two parts to help you remember the spelling. For example, break the word “weird” into “we” and “ird” to help you remember the spelling.
  2. 2
    Make the difficult part stand out. You'll want to focus on specific parts of words that are giving you trouble. The goal is to make these parts stand out, catch your attention, and cause you to remember the correct spelling. Try some of these tricks to help you remember problem areas in certain words:[20]
    • Try saying them differently. For example, you might say “be, l, eye, eve” or “be, lee, eve” to help you remember how to spell “believe” correctly.
    • Try using a highlighter on areas that give you trouble to make them stand out in your mind.
    • Make a mental note of how the word looks when spelled correctly, with a focus on the tough area.
  3. 3
    Focus your practice on the difficult parts of words. You'll need to retrain your memory if you're studying a new word or unlearning the incorrect spelling of one. It will take time and repetition before you are able to easily remember how to spell these difficult words. While you are practicing the correct spelling, keep your focus on any difficult areas of the word that normally gives you trouble. In time, the proper way of spelling it should stick.[21]
    • Make sure you are spelling the word correctly when practicing.

Method 5
Getting In Extra Practice

  1. 1
    Make some flash cards. A simple way that you can boost your study sessions, is to make some flashcards that have your spelling words on them. To make a flash card, simply write down a spelling word on one side of the card and leave the other blank. You can use flashcards in a few different ways to help you study more effectively. Try studying with flashcards using some of these methods:
    • Glance at the side of the card with the word on it. Flip the card over and try to spell the word from memory.
    • Have a friend read the word out-loud to you. Try to spell the word without looking. Have your friend tell you if your spelling was correct.
    • Review your cards anytime to get more familiar with how to properly spell your words.
  2. 2
    Study with a friend. While you can do well studying alone, studying with a friend can give you some extra help. You can both improve your spelling skills as you work together to memorize the words on your list. Try scheduling study sessions with a friend to get in some extra practice and make learning your words a bit more fun.
    • Studying with a friend can allow you both to quiz each other.
    • Both quizzing and being quizzed will give you practice.
    • Try including a fun competition to see who can spell the most words correctly.
  3. 3
    Use mnemonics. Mnemonics are mental associations that can be used to help remember things. You can use basic mnemonic methods to help you remember the correct spelling of the words on your spelling test. Consider using some of the following examples of mnemonics to help you do well on your test:[22]
    • You can use acronyms to help with tough words. For example, the word "weird" could be remembered by assigning a word to each letter. "Would everyone inside read documents?" could be the saying you use to remember how to spell the word "weird".
    • Try including difficult areas of a word in your mnemonic. For example, Sep"arat"e is "a rat of a word to spell" could help you remember the tricky middle section of the word separate.
  4. 4
    Learn the origin of a word. The English language is made up of words that were borrowed from many other language families. Because of this, many of the words in English can be difficult to spell. However, learning the language of origin for a word can give you some hints when you are remembering how to spell it. Take a look at some of these examples to get a better idea of how learning the origins of words can help you spell them:[23][24]
    • Many English words come from Latin. In words with a Latin origin, most "K" sounds are spelled with the letter C. Many "S" sounds will be spelled with an "SC" combination.
    • Words with Greek origins may spell the short I sound with the letter Y. For example, in the word "symbiotic", the "y" has the sound of a short i.

Community Q&A

Add New Question
  • Can you memorize a word or spelling list in a day?
    wikiHow Contributor
    You might be able to memorize your words in a day. However, it's best to leave yourself plenty of time to study your spelling words. The more practice and time you put into studying your spelling words, the easier they will be to recall during the test.
  • Do you have a spelling list?
    wikiHow Contributor
    The spelling list you use will depend on the words you are reviewing for your own test or exam.
Ask a Question

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Article Info

Categories: Spelling

In other languages:

Español: estudiar para un examen de ortografía, Русский: подготовиться к контрольной работе по правописанию, Português: Estudar Para Uma Prova de Ortografia, Italiano: Prepararsi per un Test di Spelling

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