Quote:
Originally Posted by Slava
I guess this is as good a place as any to ask for some help!
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I'm not too interested in "read the question", "relax", kind of things. Not to be rude, but I get it. At this level I think we've all taken a lot of exams and know to do those things. I'm just wondering if there is anything beyond that might work for anyone else, or any strategies that others have here that might make me slow down, or that sort of thing?
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Probably nothing new to add, but the team that writes the exams are especially cruel.
Here are a few tips that I try:
-Read the question first (before the descriptive paragraph/case)
- I highlight/circle the active request in each questions e.g. the smaller/larger or what often gets me is the likely/least-likely from a set of statements
- For calculations i write out my formula and then substitute in my figures in the margin or on a scrap paper (many times when I have a result that isn't in the list of answers, i go back carefully over what i wrote and realized it was an error in calculator input)
- Don't spend much time on any single question! If my calculated result isn't there, and I am ahead of pace, i will attempt it a second time. If it still isn't there I guess, and then circle that question's number on the answer key.
- Don't spend much time on any single question! If you are struggling, guess and circle the number on the answer sheet (this is especially helpful in the practice exams as it gives you an idea on what your guessing percentage is, if it isn't above 50% you are in trouble).
- If you haven't wasted time on your answering, you should have some extra time at the end of the exam to go back to your circled questions for a second attempt (budget 2minutes/question which should give you 45minutes or so to go back over your trouble areas). Often something later in the exam will trigger a memory to help you on something early in the exam. If you don't have many circled, this is the time to spend 10 minutes on a single question.
- only change your answers/guesses reluctantly. Most people are more likely to move a correct answer to wrong as wrong to right. Don't change unless you can Identify a specific reason why your initial guess was incorrect. Never change an un-circled answer.
- Every 10 questions confirm that you are answering the questions on the right line on the answer key.
This is what has helped me, YMMV.