In need of general study tips

[snazzlefrag]

Hey guys I realize that some information that is relevant to my question might be in one of the stickies but I need some help regarding study tips. I have been out of school for a few years now. I used to work full time and go to school for years then I had to stop due to finances. I'm just curious how you guys study using IC as I've never used a site like this before. Do you guys take notes or just re-read and answer the questions until you feel you have a good understanding of the material? Any tips you can provide me would be great as I only need to pass three more tests and then I can transfer to the school I really want to go too!

Thanks in advance,

Tristan

Hi Tristan,

Welcome to the board.

Here's my 10 Step Program for passing an exam:

1. Research the exam. How many questions, what is covered on it, time limit, paper-based or computer-based, minimum passing score, graded or pass/fail, score needed to get an 'A' (if applicable) etc.

2. Read (or ask for) feedback from other people who have already passed the exam. Was it easy, was it hard, what areas to focus my studies on, which materials they found useful etc.

3. Gather together everything I will be using to study. This might include: Instantcert, study guides, pdf files, web site links etc.

4. Read a good overview of the subject. Wikipedia.com is often good for this, or I might read a study guide, or a web site etc.

5. Go through Instantcert and make my own notes. I find that WRITING the information down in my own words helps me to remember it.

6. Keep going through Instantcert until I feel comfortable with the majority of the material. This involves actually understanding the concepts/explanations rather than merely memorizing which words go in the blank spaces.

7. Fill in any gaps in my notes. There may be a topic that is not covered in Instantcert, or that is not covered deeply enough for my liking.

8. Study from my notes. Memorize wherever possible.

9. Take a mock test or two (admittedly at this this stage, I can more or less tell whether I am ready for the exam without having to take a mock).

10. Take and pass the actual exam!

Hope that helps,
Snazzlefrag