12 Highly Effective Exam Prep Habits and Techniques
1. Create a Study Plan to organise your studying.
Top students almost always create a study guide to help them study effectively.
Study plans help you stay organized and focused.
The first thing you must do is Create a list of key topics you need to cover. Use your course outline or syllabus.
Break it down based on Weeks or Sections.
Add study key tasks like watch lectures/videos, make notes, do practice problems, review notes for each of the topics your weeks your created.
Here the key study tasks I have researched gives best results:
Repeatedly watching lectures or course videos
Handwriting and reviewing notes as you study
Finding and answering questions (MCQ, Short Answer etc.)
Teaching what you studied
Reading/reviewing material multiple times
Do this for each course.
I created a Study Plan Template to your study for courses and exams, get it here.
Pro-tip: set a goal for the course you are taking: I will receive grade of 90% in the course.
2. Start with the most enjoyable or most-relevant topics.
Once you have completed the study plan, start with the most enjoyable, most relevant study sections for your life or career.
If you procrastinate to study, doing this is a must.
You will build momentum and discipline over time.
If you are in university, continue to study the order in which your professor recommends. In your own time, seek and study the sections you enjoy studying.,
I realized when I studied things I liked, I became more knowledgeable in that area and was able to cover the material much easily.
3. Use Pomodoro Technique to study.
When you studying, study in short and frequent sessions,.
One commonly used and effective study techniques is the Pomodoro Technique,
In its original method, you study for 25 minutes then break for 5 mins. You repeat this cycle 3-4 depending how you feel.
If you feel that 25 minutes too short for each session, you can Increase the number of minutes 40 -50 minutes per cycle with 10 minute breaks in between.
This system will help you focus and keep your energy up.
4. Attend to lectures and invest in a good video course
If you are in university, it is absolute must that you get to your lectures. The primary reason for this is that your professor is the person who usually designs your exam. In most cases, your professor is going to identify and present to you the key details you need to know for the exam.
They are putting the best information you must know for the exams in lectures. Learn them in detail.
Your professor will drop clues like “make sure you remember this” or “this is what most students miss” or “this will be on the exam”. These concepts are likely to show up on tests and exams.
In order to get the most out of your lectures, give a quick preview to lecture slides if they provide the slides before the lecture. Doing this well help increase your understanding and comprehension of the lecture material.
If you are self-studying for exam, invest in a good video course to help identify the key concepts for the exams.
The video course will give you a great roadmap on what you need to study and focus on.
If the instructor is experienced, he or she will help you master the material easier. Finding a good course is a simple google search away. Ask your friends or research online for a highly reviewed or popular course.
5. Create handwritten “formula sheets” or Study Packages.
When studying for exams, create handwritten “formula sheets” or Study Packages with key concepts.
Hand-write notes as you go. Handwriting helps understand information deeper. Write down all key formulas, concepts, details that you think you need for the exam.
Draw diagrams, visuals and mind maps to help you remember concepts better.
Pay particular these types of information:
Concepts that are new
Concepts that are challenging remember
Concepts that repeats
Start with the professors lecture notes then move to other material.
6. Repeatedly review and quiz yourself as you study.
Successful students continuously quiz themselves as they study.
Use the formula sheets and study packages to review and quiz yourself continuously.
Repetition is the key to learning and mastery. Don’t expect to immediately understand new material.
Nobody understands things completely by reading it once.
Review your important concepts and study packages in detail at least 6x before exams.
7. Teach what you learned.
Successful students teach the material to someone as they study in order to remember better.
Find your mom, dad, sister, brother or a friend to teach or share online.
8. Do practice problems and study what you get wrong.
Spend time to find and do practice problems.
Celebrate what you got correct.
Create a list of what you get wrong and spend time learning these concepts in detail.
9. Use online resources to fill any knowledge gaps.
If you have a challenging time with a concept, use online resources to fill any knowledge gaps.
Start with YouTube and see if there is a good video on it.
Add your notes to the study sheets.
Collect sample questions online to do later.
10. Sleep for 7-9 hours each day.
The best way to rest and recover your body and brain. Professional athletes like Lebron James and Roger Federer sleep between 8-10 hours to help them recover.
11. Exercise 20-30 minutes each day.
One of the best ways to clear and energise your body and brain. Help you focus and study longer.
When you study or do any type activity without body, you develop certain waste material within your cells.
If these material is not cleaned through blood, it can stay in the cell causing it not function correctly.
Exercising can transport blood and other esources tot he cell in addition to remove waste material that is not longer needed their.
Relaxed slow-to-medium pace aerobic or cardio-based is ideal to go with studying.
12. Take care of your body, mind, soul and relationships.
Learn to take a break, not quit.
Take time to appreciate your efforts - no matter how little.
Thank and appreciate your body, mind and yourself.
Be good to others and help others succeed.
Others will do the same for you.
