How to start preparing for competitive exams?

How long before your yearly/final exams did you start preparing? Or would be ideal?

• Answer:

  Two weeks is a good guideline. It gives you time to organize all of your old papers and notes as well as do the actual studying. Some people need more time or can get away with less, so be sure to know your own brain. As for study tips, I find it easier to begin organizing old notes and tests a month or so before the exams so it's all in one place. Many people I know do this step while multitasking (when commercials come on during a TV program, etc.) just to get it done. Then, you can organize the information off of those into outlines of what will be on the exams. Never, ever, waste your time before an exam studying what you already know. That being said, always at least look over the material from the beginning of the year/semester. Even if you believe you know it, there is always the possibility that you have forgotten the details. If you do have it down comfortably, just move on to the next section. Also, don't try to cram everything in the week of the exams in long study sessions. Your brain will have no chance of retaining the information you studied later, as the majority of people can't truly focus for more than about an hour without a break.