Abstract
Taking a difficult test is not a simple and easy thing. It involves careful consideration of what one wants to do and what one expects as an outcome. The task of preparing for the test includes thorough study of the material or the subject matter for the test, analysis of one’s strengths and weaknesses as far as the subject matter is concerned. Once this is done, one has to ensure that one devotes adequate time to the parts of the material that need attention and then plays on the strengths. It should also be remembered that one should not peak early and optimizes the preparation in such a way that on the day of the test, he or she is at their maximum potential.
Preparing for a Difficult Test
The first factor to be considered is how important this test is to your overall grades and if you have to score a good grade in this paper, you have to prepare accordingly. There are some subjects where you think that you cannot get more than a specified grade and hence see no point in devoting time that otherwise can be put to use for other subjects. In these cases, you need to ensure that the preparation is in such a way that the minimum grade is obtained and you do not fail in the test.
When you make an analysis of the expected grade, you should also keep in mind that the subject may be important to your career goals and hence even if you do not have the necessary knowledge, you should try and maximize the grade from the course.
The next points to be considered is how well you know the subject matter and, have you attended enough classes and done enough reading on the same. If you feel that you need to brush up on key points, you better start straight away and ensure that you have a good grasp of the concepts. Many difficult tests are those where one’s knowledge of the subject is as important as the grasp of key concepts. It would be a good idea to indulge in some brainstorming with class mates to refine your concepts and get better understanding.
You should have a fair idea of what to expect in the test. You can refer to old papers for the course or focus on what the teacher has stressed on in the course for likely pointers. This is crucial as there is no point in spending too much time on areas that may not have a bearing on the test.
The next step is to refresh your understanding and knowledge that you have gained from the class attendance and study the portions that are your blind spots. Thus, you should go over the material that you are not strong in and skim through the ones where you have a good understanding.
You should apply the 80/20 principle when it comes to your efforts. You should focus on the quantum of effort that would lead you to score well. The key to success is in studying smart. Productivity is the key, and, try to make notes of points that stand out and are likely to fetch you results.
Finally, you should remember that the day of the test is as important as the preparation. You should in a proper mental state on that day and your focus should be on the test and nothing else. Eat well, sleep well and be physically and mentally fit on the day that matters.