टेस्ट प्रिपरेशन टिप्स
10 Test Preparation Tips for Your Next College Exam - USNews.com
Start studying in class. Familiarize yourself with the testing style of your professor. Work with a team. Don't pull an all-nighter to study.
college
Having good grades in <anchor>college</anchor> is something that most students strive for. However, the path to an impressive GPA can be difficult. Experts say it's important that college students find a study style that works for them. “Good testing strategies really start with solid effective learning strategies," says Robin Blanton, a STEM learning specialist and academic coach at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Writing and Learning Center. "So preparing for a test starts with understanding how learning actually works. And as students are transitioning from high school to college, they often will lean on the things that they did in high school that were super effective, and then find out when they get to college that learning actually takes a lot more than just the reading, writing and listening."
2024 Best Colleges: Find The Best School For You
2024 Best Colleges: Find The Best School For You

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# U.S. News Best Colleges

Expert advice, rankings and data to help you navigate your education journey and find the best college for you.Expert advice, rankings and data to help you navigate your education journey and find the best college for you.

![](/static-atlas/assets/img/education/colleges/landing.png)

Expert advice, rankings and data to help you navigate your education journey and find the best college for you.

- National Universities
- Liberal Arts Colleges
- More Rankings & Lists
- Latest College Advice

»

- National Universities
- Liberal Arts Colleges
- More Rankings & Lists
- Latest College Advice

»

National Universities

Schools in the National Universities category offer a full range of undergraduate majors, plus master's and Ph.D. programs.

[![](https://www.usnews.com/dims4/USNEWS/c45ea34/17177859217/thumbnail/256x256/quality/85/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.usnews.com%2Fcmsmedia%2F4a%2Fde%2Fe754e2714cae81f92edb1c7b273d%2F190827princeton-university23.jpg)\
\
Princeton University\
\
![](https://www.usnews.com/static/img/mini-badge-color.svg)**#1** in **National Universities**](/best-colleges/princeton-university-2627)

[![](https://www.usnews.com/dims4/USNEWS/e5abb73/17177859217/thumbnail/256x256/quality/85/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.beam.usnews.com%2Fa8%2Fc5193da7eb9dcbd26e794c018ac87a%2Fcollege-photo_6935.jpg)\
\
Massachusetts Institute of Technology\
\
![](https://www.usnews.com/static/img/mini-badge-color.svg)**#2** in **National Universities**](/best-colleges/massachusetts-institute-of-technology-2178)

[![](https://www.usnews.com/dims4/USNEWS/69ce7c5/17177859217/thumbnail/256x256/quality/85/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.beam.usnews.com%2F65%2F09a2103d862fb8eb15a9a6542c080b%2Fcollege-photo_8866.jpg)\
\
Harvard University\
\
![](https://www.usnews.com/static/img/mini-badge-color.svg)**#3** in **National Universities(tie)**](/best-colleges/harvard-university-2155)

[![](https://www.usnews.com/dims4/USNEWS/79b1323/17177859217/thumbnail/256x256/quality/85/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.beam.usnews.com%2F6d%2Fc497d367e3b5da44ac673b8f9dfbbf%2Fcollege-photo_10369.jpg)\
\
Stanford University\
\
![](https://www.usnews.com/static/img/mini-badge-color.svg)**#3** in **National Universities(tie)**](/best-colleges/stanford-university-1305)

[See Full Ranking List](/best-colleges/rankings/national-universities)

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Liberal Arts Colleges

Liberal Arts Colleges emphasize undergraduate education and award at least half of their degrees in the liberal arts fields of study.

[![](https://www.usnews.com/dims4/USNEWS/9d83f59/17177859217/thumbnail/256x256/quality/85/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.beam.usnews.com%2F47%2Fae80f6eb2801a59e941594a24d7c8e%2Fcollege-photo_13368.jpg)\
\
Williams College\
\
![](https://www.usnews.com/static/img/mini-badge-color.svg)**#1** in **Liberal Arts Colleges**](/best-colleges/williams-college-2229)

[![](https://www.usnews.com/dims4/USNEWS/68dcc3e/17177859217/thumbnail/256x256/quality/85/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.beam.usnews.com%2F5c%2F6b3bbcf416787a8cea3c60410f577d%2Fcollege-photo_16085.jpg)\
\
Amherst College\
\
![](https://www.usnews.com/static/img/mini-badge-color.svg)**#2** in **Liberal Arts Colleges**](/best-colleges/amherst-college-2115)

[![](https://www.usnews.com/dims4/USNEWS/64ccbdc/17177859217/thumbnail/256x256/quality/85/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.beam.usnews.com%2F85%2F0fc7ab99547a48baec1ff05295cff0%2Fcollege-photo_10378.jpg)\
\
United States Naval Academy\
\
![](https://www.usnews.com/static/img/mini-badge-color.svg)**#3** in **Liberal Arts Colleges**](/best-colleges/united-states-naval-academy-2101)

[See Full Ranking List](/best-colleges/rankings/national-liberal-arts-colleges)

More Rankings & Lists

[See All Rankings And Lists](/best-colleges/rankings)

## Best Value Schools

The higher the quality of the program and the lower the cost, the better the deal.

- [**#1**\
\
Harvard University](/best-colleges/harvard-university-2155)
- [**#2**\
\
Princeton University](/best-colleges/princeton-university-2627)
- [**#3**\
\
Yale University](/best-colleges/yale-university-1426)

[See Full Rankings List](/best-colleges/rankings/national-universities/best-value)

Other Rankings & Lists

- [Regional Universities](/best-colleges/rankings/regional-universities)
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Pick the Perfect Major

Discover the perfect major for you based on your innate wiring. The Innate Assessment sets you up for success by pairing you with majors, colleges and careers that fit your unique skills and abilities.

[Take The Assessment](/best-colleges/college-major-quiz)

[Take The Assessment](/best-colleges/college-major-quiz)

Colleges By State

- [Alabama](/best-colleges/al)
- [Alaska](/best-colleges/ak)
- [Arizona](/best-colleges/az)
- [Arkansas](/best-colleges/ar)
- [California](/best-colleges/ca)
- [Colorado](/best-colleges/co)
- [Connecticut](/best-colleges/ct)
- [D.C.](/best-colleges/dc)
- [Delaware](/best-colleges/de)
- [Florida](/best-colleges/fl)
- [Georgia](/best-colleges/ga)
- [Hawaii](/best-colleges/hi)
- [Idaho](/best-colleges/id)
- [Illinois](/best-colleges/il)
- [Indiana](/best-colleges/in)
- [Iowa](/best-colleges/ia)
- [Kansas](/best-colleges/ks)
- [Kentucky](/best-colleges/ky)
- [Louisiana](/best-colleges/la)
- [Maine](/best-colleges/me)
- [Maryland](/best-colleges/md)
- [Massachusetts](/best-colleges/ma)
- [Michigan](/best-colleges/mi)
- [Minnesota](/best-colleges/mn)
- [Mississippi](/best-colleges/ms)
- [Missouri](/best-colleges/mo)
- [Montana](/best-colleges/mt)
- [Nebraska](/best-colleges/ne)
- [Nevada](/best-colleges/nv)
- [New Hampshire](/best-colleges/nh)
- [New Jersey](/best-colleges/nj)
- [New Mexico](/best-colleges/nm)
- [New York](/best-colleges/ny)
- [North Carolina](/best-colleges/nc)
- [North Dakota](/best-colleges/nd)
- [Ohio](/best-colleges/oh)
- [Oklahoma](/best-colleges/ok)
- [Oregon](/best-colleges/or)
- [Pennsylvania](/best-colleges/pa)
- [Rhode Island](/best-colleges/ri)
- [South Carolina](/best-colleges/sc)
- [South Dakota](/best-colleges/sd)
- [Tennessee](/best-colleges/tn)
- [Texas](/best-colleges/tx)
- [Utah](/best-colleges/ut)
- [Vermont](/best-colleges/vt)
- [Virginia](/best-colleges/va)
- [Washington](/best-colleges/wa)
- [West Virginia](/best-colleges/wv)
- [Wisconsin](/best-colleges/wi)
- [Wyoming](/best-colleges/wy)

Colleges By Metro Area

- [Abilene, TX](/best-colleges/rankings/abilene)
- [Albany, NY](/best-colleges/rankings/albany)
- [Asheville, NC](/best-colleges/rankings/asheville)
- [Athens, GA](/best-colleges/rankings/athens)
- [Atlanta, GA](/best-colleges/rankings/atlanta)
- [Augusta, GA](/best-colleges/rankings/augusta)
- [Austin, TX](/best-colleges/rankings/austin)
- [Baltimore, MD](/best-colleges/rankings/baltimore)
- [Baton Rouge, LA](/best-colleges/rankings/baton-rouge)
- [Bend, OR](/best-colleges/rankings/bend)
- [Birmingham, AL](/best-colleges/rankings/birmingham)
- [Buffalo, NY](/best-colleges/rankings/buffalo)
- [Charleston, SC](/best-colleges/rankings/charleston)
- [Charlotte, NC](/best-colleges/rankings/charlotte)
- [Cleveland, OH](/best-colleges/rankings/cleveland)
- [Columbus, OH](/best-colleges/rankings/columbus)
- [Dallas, TX](/best-colleges/rankings/dallas)
- [Denver, CO](/best-colleges/rankings/denver)
- [Des Moines, IA](/best-colleges/rankings/des-moines)
- [Detroit, MI](/best-colleges/rankings/detroit)
- [Gainesville, FL](/best-colleges/rankings/gainesville)
- [Grand Rapids, MI](/best-colleges/rankings/grand-rapids)
- [Greensboro, NC](/best-colleges/rankings/greensboro)
- [Greenville, SC](/best-colleges/rankings/greenville)
- [Houston, TX](/best-colleges/rankings/houston)
- [Huntsville, AL](/best-colleges/rankings/huntsville)
- [Indianapolis, IN](/best-colleges/rankings/indianapolis)
- [Ithaca, NY](/best-colleges/rankings/ithaca)
- [Jackson, MS](/best-colleges/rankings/jackson)
- [Jacksonville, FL](/best-colleges/rankings/jacksonville)
- [Kansas City, MO](/best-colleges/rankings/kansas-city)
- [Knoxville, TN](/best-colleges/rankings/knoxville)
- [Lakeland, FL](/best-colleges/rankings/lakeland)
- [Lancaster, PA](/best-colleges/rankings/lancaster)
- [Las Vegas, NV](/best-colleges/rankings/las-vegas)
- [Los Angeles, CA](/best-colleges/rankings/los-angeles)
- [Louisville, KY](/best-colleges/rankings/louisville)
- [Lynchburg, VA](/best-colleges/rankings/lynchburg)
- [Macon, GA](/best-colleges/rankings/macon)
- [Madison, WI](/best-colleges/rankings/madison)
- [Memphis, TN](/best-colleges/rankings/memphis)
- [Miami, FL](/best-colleges/rankings/miami)
- [Milwaukee, WI](/best-colleges/rankings/milwaukee)
- [Minneapolis, MN](/best-colleges/rankings/minneapolis)
- [Mobile, AL](/best-colleges/rankings/mobile)
- [Montgomery, AL](/best-colleges/rankings/montgomery)
- [Nashville, TN](/best-colleges/rankings/nashville)
- [New Orleans, LA](/best-colleges/rankings/new-orleans)
- [Orlando, FL](/best-colleges/rankings/orlando)
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### [Overlooked Ways to Pay for College](https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/paying-for-college/articles/how-to-pay-for-college-using-these-overlooked-strategies)

[![](https://www.usnews.com/object/image/0000017d-247a-d369-a5ff-3d7f399d0000/211115-collegestudentstudyingnight-stock.jpg?update-time=1636994576094&size=responsive300)](https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/paying-for-college/articles/how-to-pay-for-college-using-these-overlooked-strategies) Students and parents should consider these ideas for making college cheaper.

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[![](https://www.usnews.com/object/image/0000017d-247a-d369-a5ff-3d7f399d0000/211115-collegestudentstudyingnight-stock.jpg?update-time=1636994576094&size=responsive300)](https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/paying-for-college/articles/how-to-pay-for-college-using-these-overlooked-strategies)

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### [Voting as a College Student](https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/articles/how-to-vote-as-a-college-student)

[![](https://www.usnews.com/object/image/00000191-e235-d045-a3f3-e735b9010000/https-media-gettyimages-com-id-1255378787-photo-close-up-of-i-voted-sticker-on-denim-shirt.jpg?update-time=1726077074524&size=responsive300)](https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/articles/how-to-vote-as-a-college-student) Do your research early and find out when, where and how you can vote, especially if your college is out of state.

Joanna NesbitSept. 11, 2024

[![](https://www.usnews.com/object/image/00000191-e235-d045-a3f3-e735b9010000/https-media-gettyimages-com-id-1255378787-photo-close-up-of-i-voted-sticker-on-denim-shirt.jpg?update-time=1726077074524&size=responsive300)](https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/articles/how-to-vote-as-a-college-student)

[What to Know About College Ombuds](https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/articles/what-students-should-know-about-college-ombuds)

[12 Colleges Near a River or Lake](https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/slideshows/colleges-near-a-river-or-lake)

[6 Study Tips for College-Bound Teens](https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/articles/study-tips-for-college-that-high-school-students-can-master-now)

[4 Tips for College Success](https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/articles/tips-for-college-success)

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The rankings provide a good starting point for students trying to compare schools. The four overall rankings – [National Universities](https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-universities), [Liberal Arts Colleges](https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-liberal-arts-colleges), [Regional Universities](https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/regional-universities) and [Regional Colleges](https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/regional-colleges) – are based on factors that indicate academic quality, such graduation rates and faculty resources.

But the best school for each student, [experts say](https://www.usnews.com/education/blogs/the-college-admissions-insider/2011/06/13/finding-a-good-college-fit), is one that will most completely meet his or her needs, which go beyond academics. This is why U.S. News offers dozens of more-focused [rankings and lists](https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings) to help prospective undergraduate students compare schools based on the qualities that matter most to them, such as [ethnic diversity](https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-universities/campus-ethnic-diversity) on campus and percent of students who live in [university housing](https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/most-on-campus).

Chances are, there’s a ranking or list that's relevant to you. For example, [veterans](https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-universities/veterans) can research the schools that are best-equipped to serve them; students interested in historically Black colleges and universities can explore the [HBCU](https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/hbcu) rankings; and [international students](https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-universities/most-international) can learn which schools already have a strong non-U.S. student community on campus.

Affordability is another key consideration for students and their families, so U.S. News created lists of [Best Value Schools](https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-universities/best-value) and schools that [award merit aid](https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/most-merit-aid) to the most students. The [Paying for College](https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/paying-for-college) knowledge center offers additional insights and tips about different types of education aid, including grants, loans and scholarships.

In addition to the rankings, prospective students can explore extensive statistical profiles for the more than 1,800 schools in the U.S. News Best Colleges directory. These profiles are packed with information about a school’s cost, financial aid policies, admissions requirements, student body and more. Families can see additional data points by signing up for the [U.S. News College Compass](https://www.usnews.com/usnews/store/college_compass?src=web:col_compass:na:BC_homepage_blurb:20190418).

Together, the rankings and profiles can help students learn about a range of school options – public and private, large and small – throughout the country, some of which they might not have considered before. They are [valuable tools](https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/articles/how-to-use-the-rankings-wisely) that can help you find a college or university that’s right for you.

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