Finals are coming up and I need serious exam preparation techniques. I usually just cram the night before but that's not working anymore. What exam preparation techniques do you use to actually be ready for comprehensive exams? I'm looking for exam preparation techniques that help with both memorization and application questions.
For exam preparation techniques, I start about two weeks before the exam. First, I create a study schedule that covers all material with extra time for difficult topics. One exam preparation technique that works well is creating summary sheets for each chapter with key formulas, concepts, and example problems. I review these daily leading up to the exam.
Having taken many certification exams, my exam preparation techniques involve taking practice tests under real conditions. I time myself, don't use notes, and simulate the testing environment. After each practice test, I analyze what I got wrong and focus my study on those areas. This targeted approach is one of the most effective exam preparation techniques I've found.
One exam preparation technique that helped me was teaching the material to study partners. When you have to explain concepts clearly to someone else, you really have to understand them yourself. Also, creating memory palaces or other mnemonic devices for lists or sequences that need to be memorized has been useful for certain types of exams.