Flashcards

[notaseal]

I was wondering what techniques some of the succesful people on here do with IC. I personally can just memorize the answers by first two words.. Sometimes I make a word bank and fill in the blanks.

These have all failed for me. So what do you guys do?

[marianne202]

I read through the cards and answers usually a few times until I understand the concept, terms etc. This has worked well for me. I don't try to fill in the blanks anymore, I just click on the answer as soon as I open the flashcard and then read the statement and then read the full answer until I know the info. I combine that with the specific exam feedback info and do any research necessary for items not covered on the flashcards. For ethics and environment and humanity, I also watched some videos to help reinforce areas I was struggling with. I think a more thorough review of the flashcards may help you be more successful. Good luck!

[claytonordie]

First what I do is I go through the first 7 questions and then I keep going through them till I get them all right. Then I do 8-14 and I keep going through them till they're all right, I keep doing that in a 7 question pattern till that section is complete. Then I take a break and I try to do the whole thing, I usually get about 90% correct.(only my second time looking at that section.) I then review the ones I got wrong, take another break and try it again on random and get about 95%-100% right.


hope that helps people study better

[Dutchess]

You are knocking the classes out quickly! I believe you will make you goal! Question-I notice you've taken Lifespan Development Psychology and Substance Abuse. I am deciding which one first for me. IC does not have the DSST material for Lifespan Dev. exam. What would you suggest?

[JanusthePhoenix]

I use the 'flashcards' more as a study guide than actual flashcards. Sometimes I don't even read the question before I bring up the answer. IC is usually a very good indicator of exactly what concepts I will be tested on. Then all I have to do is learn those concepts, whether it be via IC, wikipedia, or a companion website for a textbook. That way I don't so much memorize the questions and answers as I get an overall 'feel' for the material to where I can answer almost any question asked about the concepts. At least for a couple of weeks until I need to make room in my brain for the next test.

[Basket Weaver]

Most important thing to remember about the cards is that it is NOT about the blank...just forget that its even there because it has zero relevance.

You have to be able to understand the question, why its being asked and be able to fully understand the answer & why its correct. The way you do this is through repetition. I would go through each section and simply read through it, then I would do that again and again until I knew both the question and answer by heart; I never bothered filling in the blank because it simply doesn't matter and it was a waste of time. After I got through one section, I would move on to the next...in order...and do the same thing. After I was done with section two I would go back through section one again, section two again, then move on to section three. After three was done, I would go back to one, then two, then three and move on to four (and so on and so forth). For sections that had more than 40 questions, I split them in half and treated it as another section...for some reason I did better with memorizing sections 30-40 questions long.

Trust me, by the end of all the sections you'll have it down pat and your head will feel like its ready to explode...but you'll have it. Don't doubt yourself, don't read those silly pass rates; just study hard and take the test. I seldom used more than just the cards and practice online tests for any of my tests (except for College Math). Good luck and be sure to keep us all in the loop.

[SIMPLY_HUGO]

Good feedback!

[notaseal]

Sounds good thanks everyone.

This is my plan
section 1- 3 days total 8-10 hours
section 2- 3 days
etc.

Pretty much overkill on the studying. Taking about 3 weeks to study for it.


One other question, on the v2 lite do you read the bottom inputs or just skip over?

[MISin08]

All these have worked for me, in varying amounts, depending on the exam:

Copy the official exam outline into a Word doc or OneNote, or print it. IC is a fine resource (and yes, I know it's designed to be all you need), but if you make the exam outline the lesson plan, you know you are covering the ground the exam covers.

• Read a general-audience introduction to the subject before you even start.
  
• As you go through IC, write the content of flashcards where the info is new to you in your own words in a notebook (the exercise of writing by hand involves a different learning mode -- the more modes the merrier)
  
• Look up the topics you wrote down in a textbook/companion site, a favorite encyclopedia, or a website (professors' sites are good for this), cliffs.com, etc. Expand the notes with what you find.
  
• Re-write the now expanded notes on the computer. This is not just mindless copying, think about the information and improve the notes. Save and print them, have them handy when you:
  
• Go through the IC cards again. Are there things on the cards you thought you knew/passed over inadvertently that now stand out because of the extra reading? Write them down.
  
• Are there topics that aren't sticking? Look them up elsewhere. Read supporting materials. Using your notes, explain your studies to someone else.
  
• If you haven't already, read the exam feedback thread for the test you are studying for. It should start to make sense. Add any unfamiliar/useful topics to your bank of notes.
  
• Repeat the above until you feel like you have a clue. Take a practice test. Are you ready to take the exam?
  
• Organize the notes into topics following the exam outline. If you're inclined to go beyond the coverage level of IC, this will give you some idea where you want to widen your study coverage. IC organizes things one way, your organizing them over again uses the knowledge and rolls it around in your brain so that it sticks better.
  
• Understand the relation of what you are studying to the other exams and classes you have taken or need to take. This helps hook what you are learning to what you already know and helps to overcome the inner adolescent who whines "I'll never use this, why do I have to study?"
  
• Make vocabulary cards/concept cards and study with those.
  
• Create diagrams, flow charts, concept maps as needed, if that's your style. Other posters on the site swear by videos, it varies for me.
  
• Public library is your friend.
  

Knowing your preferred learning style is useful (and not just in college). College is biased toward learning by reading, which isn't the best way for all of us. Knowing what works best for you will help you adapt the material so you can succeed. Here's a link to an assessment that I have found effective personally and in the workplace.

Phillip

[notaseal]

Act-5
Sen-1
Vis-1
Seq-3

Looks like I am just a poor learner lol.