Exams are not just for school. Throughout your adult life, there will be numerous occasions when you are required to undergo some kind of assessment. This may be a technical competence exam for a job you’ve applied for, or part of a course of further education you have enrolled in.
If you want to become a lawyer, you will need to complete a law degree. Maybe you want to be a climbing instructor, in which case you will need to be assessed in your technical expertise as well as completing a wilderness first aid course. For some roles in the construction industry you’ll have.to brush up on your limited contractor exam prep and many other roles require additional tests and observations.
In some cases, gaining a passing grade could mean the difference between landing your dream job or resigning yourself to a future of unsatisfying employment.
The truth is, no one enjoys exams. You have to spend a huge amount of time studying and getting your head around complicated subjects. When the test date comes around you then have the extreme pressure of getting the answers right, followed by an anxiety-ridden period while you wait for your results.
In order to take the stress out of your exams, here are five tips for optimum preparation. Following these foolproof strategies will help you spend less time studying in order to get the results you want.
Start revising early
When it comes to studying, there are two kinds of people. There are those who start revising months in advance, and others who leave everything until the last minute. Make sure you are in the former camp. This way, you can feel prepared well ahead of your exam and remove all the stress from the process.
Get organized
When preparing, you will need to take copious notes, read countless books, and prepare crib sheets to help you absorb knowledge. The last thing you want is to be scrabbling around for the relevant documents on the night before your exam so make sure you are organized. Keep your study materials neatly filed away so you know where everything is at all times.
Stay healthy
Revising uses up a lot of mental energy, so you must make sure you are fueling your body properly to stay on good form. Eat a balanced diet and drink plenty of water, eschewing fast food and alcohol which can impair cognitive performance.
Find a study space
The location in which you study is crucial to your concentration and knowledge retention. Some people thrive in busy environments like coffee shops and libraries, while others prefer to be shut up in a room with no distractions. Work out which environment is most suitable for your optimum performance and use it for the majority of your exam prep.
Take regular breaks
Although this might be one of the most important exams of your life, you need to be careful not to push yourself too hard. If you overdo it you risk succumbing to burnout and harming your mental health. Make sure you take regular breaks and reward yourself after each productive revision session.
