<p>For the most part, are previous exams given out for a certain class given out? If so, wouldn't it make the studying easier and more in-depth if one knows the types and goals of the questions the teacher could ask?</p>
<p>Does this, combined with hardcore studying, nearly equate to a good grade (A)?</p>
<p>About half of my classes may have some old tests circulating. But, sometimes I have a difficult time finding them (especially in upper level courses). Also, profs change the test quite a bit that you can't study the old one for more than format. But, the good professors will tell you their expectations, average grades, and testing format up front.</p>
<p>Even if your professors alter their tests, can you utilize their test questions to your advantage. I mean, if you understand the concept, you can test yourself. Maybe?</p>
<p>My chem and math and econ classes, the teacher has given us several past exams. While, yes, you can use them to study and they are a great aid to test your understanding, the exam we actually get is sufficiently different that it's hard to do well just by doing the past exams and thinking you "understand the concept".</p>
<p>Some of my teachers have stop giving pass test because the result is usually the same; student score lower than average. The problem is most people study just what was on the test but the teacher changes it up to something totally different.</p>
<p>Having old tests for math sort of classes helps to have more problems to practice, but a lot of time I've found it is overkill--actually too much to study! Once you go back through class problems, homework problems, book examples, and problems in the book not assigned, you probably won't have time to look at old test problems!</p>
<p>"Does this, combined with hardcore studying, nearly equate to a good grade (A)?"</p>
<p>FOr the most part, yes. The questions are usually all of the same format and test for the same profeciency in the subject. A word of caution though: remember you have PROFESSORS teaching the subject. Many of them have been there for a long time and know their material "too" well, but do NOT know how to convey it to their students. Don't be surprised if the exams contain way too much material for the allotted time or questions that were barely touched at all in the course.</p>