Do take notes while you study. The most effective way to retain knowledge is by using as many of your senses as you can while studying. Once you have read something relevant, take the time to write a note touching on the basic idea or concept that you need to know. Reading the information is helpful, but writing it down increases your chances of retaining it for later use. Your notes also make an effective study guide when it comes to reviewing material before test day.
Don’t wait until the last minute to start preparing. Begin studying and preparing for the exam as soon as you can. It is always beneficial to have too much time on your hands to study than not enough. By giving yourself an ample amount of time to prepare, if you do get through all of the topics ahead of schedule, you can use the extra time as a refresher period. This can also dramatically decrease your anxiety levels come exam day.
Do familiarize yourself with the exact layout and format of the exam. Once of the biggest causes for anxiety come test day results from not being comfortable with the way the exam looks. Take the time to learn which sections are strictly individual multiple choice, which ones are groups of multiple choice based on a specific passage, and which part of the exam involves free writing. The more you can do in advance to minimize any test day surprises, the better it will be for keeping your stress levels to a minimum.
Don’t forget to manage your time wisely. Set a schedule when you get started that outlines exactly which areas you need to cover in more detail then others. Set aside enough time each day or week to ensure you are preparing sufficiently while not trying to do too much at one time.
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