Study strategies

[The_Professor]

As I dig in and prepare my “Project Plan” to endeavor on the formidable task of preparing for and passing 30+ CLEP/DTTS/ECE exams, I have been fine-tuning and evolving my study strategy to be able to review, categorize, retain and, ultimately, recall large amounts of information in as efficient manner as possible. So far it seems I have been able to prepare for and pass some of the relatively less difficult CLEP exams with scores in the 60’s & 70’s with approximately 10 hours of prep work utilizing IC and official CollegeBoard studyguides only. I am under no illusion that some of the more challenging subjects will involve considerably more preparation work, however, I am developing and fine-tuning my strategy at this early stage with the exam subjects that come more easily to me. I have over the years passed numerous challenging IT and Professional certification exams which thus far have proven to be a good bit more difficult that the CLEPs I have prepared for thus far. That said, though, I figured there is no time like the present to really get my exam-passing methodologies and procedures down pat, which even includes experimenting with self-hypnosis techniques not only to mitigate for pre-exam jitters, but also to retain and recall large amounts of information at will. If anyone wants to share any of the methods and strategies that have worked well for you, please feel free. Thank you...

[JanusthePhoenix]

I've found that taking your own notes is helpful, as opposed to studying notes already taken by someone else. I'll run through IC or whatever I'm studying from, and jot down the important looking stuff in a quasi-outline. The notes of course also serve as a handy quick reference, but the process of writing it all down, preferably paraphrased, is of particular benefit.

[perrik]

As I studied the materials, I would stop to give lectures to an imaginary audience (or my cats) on the current topic. The lectures would paraphrase the materials, and then (when applicable) link it to prior materials. I'd come up with analogies and examples to illustrate key concepts.

Sounds a bit daft, and you wouldn't want to do this in the middle of the library, but "teaching" the material helped me retain it.

[The_Professor]

As I studied the materials, I would stop to give lectures to an imaginary audience (or my cats) on the current topic. The lectures would paraphrase the materials, and then (when applicable) link it to prior materials. I'd come up with analogies and examples to illustrate key concepts.

Sounds a bit daft, and you wouldn't want to do this in the middle of the library, but "teaching" the material helped me retain it.

That's good, I like that a lot... Betcha got some pretty smart cats...

[mhr2133]

I'm all about learning the vocabulary lists - if I know the vocab I can usually guess the correct answer. Also I find that I memorize better if I'm physically moving so I make up vocab lists and walk while I recite them to myself. This way I complete two things at once, exercise and education.

Also my job is to teach test strategies to nursing students so that helps a lot. I teach them to cover the question and read the answers first on the practice quizes to train them to be able to pick off the distractor answers that just don't make sense or sound right, this way they at least cut down the number of possible answers to choose from.

[peace123]

~ Carefully plan the sequence of your exams and take ones that have overlapping information in an order that helps you maximize your study time and materials.

~Figure out what type of learner you are ( visual/auditory, etc...) and gear your study materials toward your learning style.

~Use multiple sources for study material and always refer back the study guide/Exam Content provided by the maker of the exam.

~Use Instancert if they have created flashcards for the exam. If it is an exam they have not created flashcards for create your own on index cards.

~ refer to IC's specific exam feedback section for all exams you take as it has valuable info that will help you in prepping for exams.

For ECE's if they have produced a practice exam for the test you are taking, buy it, it is worth the $$.

[JanusthePhoenix]

As I studied the materials, I would stop to give lectures to an imaginary audience (or my cats) on the current topic. The lectures would paraphrase the materials, and then (when applicable) link it to prior materials. I'd come up with analogies and examples to illustrate key concepts.

Sounds a bit daft, and you wouldn't want to do this in the middle of the library, but "teaching" the material helped me retain it.

Great method also. Sometimes I start doing this in my head without realizing it if the subject is interesting to me, like Business Law was. I think I'll be doing that one a lot when I get to grad school. Then I'll have fellow students to teach instead of imaginary peers.

[deepatt]

I am a visual learner, so if there is something that I feel like I am having a difficult time remembering, I "picture associate" in my head. I also read, write, and read again, this also helps with retention. And, I have made up "stories" about the subject. Just a number of ways really. Whatever works best at the time...

[LatinTea]

This is a very timely thread indeed. I have lots of tests ahead of me!

One tip I got from a member here is when you go through the IC cards, "start with the first section of the subject. Break the section down into 10-question segments. Within each segment, if I miss a question, I start over. So if I miss question 15, I'm only going back to 11. This takes advantage of both Primacy and Recency in learning. I do this until I've gotten through ALL of the questions in a section." (Hey, cinderly, I hope you don't mind me quoting you!)

[andy3000]

I like to study notes right before the test, then as soon as I sit down to take the test write down notes I was studying on the scrap paper they provide. Especially good for anything that involves formulas.