Study Strategies

[mo_wan]

Hello!
I was planning to take the Sep test, I have taken a course already. I was debating between a few techniques, I got some feedback but I was thinking maybe I should adapt abit.

I was debating between a few options.
1) 2 timed PTs per week +review, and some untimed LR on my weakness, a timed LG section, some untimed RC passages, some timed RC passages.

2) 1 timed PT per week, one day spent on reviewing LG I have done before untimed, along with one timed section. 1 day spend doing RC passages untimed, along with one timed section. 1 day spend doing LR of my weaknesses and one timed section.

3) A mixture of both above alternatives/ or just option 1 until 3 weeks before the exam then switch to option 2.

4) Do option 1 until about 3 weeks before the exam, then just write 2-3 tests per week.

Also, when reviewing the test, I have been reviewing the whole exam. Is there any merit in reviewing questions you scored right?

Cheers,
Mo.

[Jennifer Janowsky]

Mo,

Great questions! These are all great plans, and I can tell from your strategies that you're ready to really make an effort.

I think a mix of any of these options is fine. Feel free to do what fits best for you and your weaknesses, which you should consider will change as you continue to study.

Ideally, 2 full tests per week (under timed conditions) is excellent. On weeks where you feel like you have extra things to review you can make that just 1 test, and as you get closer you can ramp it up to 3 if you feel up to it. Taking full timed tests will be great for getting you used to the real thing, but you don't want it to hog your review time if you find you keep missing the same questions over and over again.

Also, when reviewing the test, I have been reviewing the whole exam. Is there any merit in reviewing questions you scored right?

This is a great question. It would be a great idea to review all of your exam--if you have endless time. However, it might be better to focus on those you missed in order to hone in on what will need to be reviewed that week. When you are finished with an entire exam section, try to go back right away and label every question you've missed by type. Later, when you're reviewing, you may find that you're great at RC but you miss questions about the author's tone every time. You've already finished the course, now you just need to refresh. This will help you focus your review to suit your needs more flexibly.

I hope that helps, good luck in your studies!