Preparing for an exam can be stressful and time-consuming, but it doesn't have to be! By doing a few simple things on time, you can be confident and ready for whatever the test throws at you.
Steps
Step 1. The first thing to decide is when to start
You must start the process with at least a full night of sleep before the exam. Your brain needs time to subconsciously digest everything you put in, so there's no need to cram everything in an hour or two before the exam. The best time to start the trial is between the morning and early afternoon of the day before, ie at least 24-36 hours before the start of the test.
Step 2. Now read all the notes that refer to the exam
Whether it's two or twenty pages, this is important. It will refresh you on the subject and help you remember what you have learned. It will also help make you aware of all the little information and how it is placed within the notes, so you know where to find it when you start organizing topics.
Step 3. Once you get a sense of how it all fits together, it's time to think about how to group all the information into relevant sections
You could be based on specific themes, chronology, or concepts.
Step 4. Once you have identified the main topics, now is the time to use Wikipedia or other online sources to fill in the information gaps that you lack or are not clearly explained
You can now use the theme that guided your research to determine which information is relevant to the test.
Step 5. By now you should have all the information you need to study, written and divided by topic on separate sheets of paper
This is where you can begin to narrate information and index it so that you can easily remember the day of the exam.
Step 6. The indexing method can be thought of as creating an information tree
Write the main topics of the exam that emerged on separate sheets of paper. These are the first branches of the tree. Below these are sub-themes, which are more refined groupings of information within each main theme. Within the sub-themes write the topics.
Step 7. To start memorizing, focus on one main theme at a time until you have mastered it
Once the topic and the information it contains are well enough memorized, you can move on to the next one until you have memorized everything you need to know for the exam.
Step 8. For the first main theme, start at the top and read through the tree
After you have a general understanding of the information, focus on learning "phrases" for each topic that will help you remember the content.
Step 9. After you feel confident about each topic, stop studying and take a break
The idea is not to try to cram everything into your short-term memory all at once. You need to give your brain time to subconsciously internalize all the information you have shoveled in. For this reason it is important to start the process at least the day before the exam.
Step 10. On the day of the exam, set the alarm to sound at least two hours before the test
An hour and a half before the exam, start mentally reviewing all the main topics and subtopics. As always, check your notes if you get stuck. This is the time to cram - try as you can to lock all the little details into short-term memory. Try to memorize everything you have prepared, but stop 15 minutes before the exam! In the last few minutes, you shouldn't be thinking about proof. Relax and take a few deep breaths, if you follow the steps outlined above everything should be fine!
Advice
- Always rewrite the important sections of your notes, this will help you memorize them.
- Make sure you take frequent breaks to help your brain subconsciously process information.
- Don't try to speed up the study process, just spend time working on the notes to memorize them.
- Focus on what you are studying.
- Eat right and get a good rest every night before an exam.
Warnings
- Do not overdo it. There is a balance between work and time to relax with friends or pursue a hobby. Work hard, have fun hard.
- Don't go through the topics all at once. You will learn better if you read a little of your textbook every day.
- Don't stay up to study at night. Ballasting up late is not a good idea - make sure you get enough sleep before exam day.
