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Home > Archive > CCNP > December 2001 > Mentally preparing for an exam
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Mentally preparing for an exam
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| Justin2112 2001-12-06, 10:39 pm |
| In my ever-quest for success - I would like to iniate a post to see how all of you have have been successful in mentally preparing for a test . . .
Not so much the material you study, but more what you do to get yourself ready mentally, the week before, the day before, the hour before the exam. Any secrets or techniques you wish to share ?
I'll start of by sharing my own techniques. I will only test at a place I like. I will only register when I know I am ready. I will eliminate all stresses associated with the exam, for instance, ( not telling everyone and their brother ), except maybe my wife. I also elminate stress by arriving super early to the testing center. Taking a walk and breathing slowly and deeply and practicing relaxation techniques before going in, having a completely clear mind when I go in. Seeing the outcome before it happens, seeing myself pass - even kick off my shoes while taking the test.
Thats just a slice of the pie . . Theres a ton more . .but those are the biggest.
What do you do ?
-Justin2112 | |
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| Hmmm good question IMO. I usually get a good nights sleep...Get a strong cup of joe in me... I usually get my test scheduled later on in the day @ a local testing center that i have always used since i know how to get there & the amount of time it takes to get there...I like th schedule it later on in the day cuz from what i see a lot of people like to take the test earlier, i dont cuz that way i m alone in the test center & i can read out the questions to myself, which helps me a lot...
I also like to make sure, this might sound crass, but i make sure i dont have to go to the john, so i take care of my biz...
Go over my notes, & then most importantly say a prayer & then take the test....
Nuff said, hope my input helpsss..But as they say what ever floats yur boat, floats yur boat... | |
| peterd 2001-12-07, 3:18 am |
| hi Justin,
good question, I'm sure we'll find that most people have slighty different ideas about the best way to go on!
Research done at various universities over the years has shown that we're at our sharpest earlier in the day, and earlier in the week (obviously we all get a bit more tired by the end of the week) so I book my tests for Tuesday morning at 10.30.
Also you need to consider that later in the day something may have 'gone off' at work and you can't get away or you're starting to feel a bit frazzled...
I've seen the PC support guys fighting to get out of the office door 45 minutes before their exam with a 70 mile drive to the test centre but the boss wants them to prat around with a server...
so I go directly from home and if anyone should call from work my wife is instructed to tell them that I've already gone!
I'm up at the normal time of 7.00am, read through my couple of pages of 'must know' notes a couple of times.
I set off from home around 8.30 and arrive about 9.45, re-read my 'must know' notes, go to toilet, sign in, have the merest sip of water from the dispenser to clear my throat (more research shows a drop in IQ immediately after drinking any cup of liquid) and they always allow me to start the test early (usually just before 10.00).
I book a 10.30 start to allow for traffic problems. I book a Tuesday as it allows me to use Mondays to get my brain back into gear after the weekend.
I used to do the pre-test but I don't bother now I've taken a few, by this stage I just want to get it over with...
Regards
Peter | |
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| Other than the above -
I schedule in the morning around 10am and never during or after work. I avoid the rush hour drive to the exam center.
The week before I review heavy. The day before I go over the exam outline to make sure I have the concepts down. Try to keep things simply and logically organized in my mind so the facts don't confuse me.
Then I try to relax the night before, the best I can.
ea | |
| strikeattack 2001-12-07, 4:08 pm |
| I read the book. If I forget something, I bang my head into the wall saying "I'm so stupid.. I'm so stupid... I'm so stupid.."
Sometimes this happens when I take the test. When I took the BSCN test, it said I failed. Then, I whipped out my secret weapon. No, not that you sickos. I started banging my head into the wall, and refused to stop until they agreed to pass me. It worked, and v'oila, I passed.
Ok, here is the REAL procedure procedure for those of you that are still reading...
Seven sure-fire ways to a passed test...
1. Read the chapter and highlight all items of interest.
2. Re-read the chapter and record all the highlighted captions into study guide.
3. Read the next chapter, repeat steps 1 and 2 until completed with the book.
4. Begin reading the study guide, memorizing as necessary through mnemonic devices, associatons, etc...
5. 1 week before the test, I start taking practice exams.
6. A few nights before the test, I highlight everything in the study guide that I still don't know.
7. I then study this material until I am comfortable with it. | |
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| Excuse my language, but this is a good freaking topic. It usually take me six to eight weeks to prepare for an exam.I always take my test on a saturday starting at 1:45 2:00 p.m. Most of the time I do not tell people what day I am taking my exam(even my girlfriend). I usually wake up on the test day at about 6 a.m. I then go and eat a good McDonalds breakfast. then I cram from about 7.a.m. to about noonish. I then drive to the testing center, park my car and then go to sleep for an hour. Oh yeah, I also bring my super loud alarm clock with me. I then go in the testing site and request 2 cups of water, five plastic scratch sheets and a marker. I have one exam to go, and I will be CCNP. My success rate with taking computer exams is very high. I will continue with the same pattern until I retire. | |
| haseeb_eng 2001-12-08, 2:53 pm |
| well to tell you the truth guys i don't study well . To make myself study i go to exam center and then reserves my seat after 5 days and that is 150$ which force me to prepare for my exam . But this formula did not worked with me in CIT(my last ccnp exam ) and i was failed just from 2 marks now i scheduled this again on wednesday i have to pass my CCNP before eid in any cost . Wish me good luck  | |
| ruiner20 2001-12-10, 7:03 pm |
| Here's what I do to for exam preperation:
I take my time reading the book so to make sure I only have to read it one pass and the n look back over it for notes. I highlite all the worthwhile information that I know is going to be on the test (You take enough exams and you can start noting what they will probably test you on) I usually spend 2-6 weeks reading the book slowly so I remember it all. One week before the test I hit the practice exams hard, about five hours a day so I can reaffirm concepts if nothing else than to tell myself I can kick the exams XXX. The day of the test I go one pass through the study software. I always schedule the exam for monday at 2:30 because where I am located there is never anyone there at 2:30 on monday for some reason. I usually arrive 15 minutes early because they are slow and usually take 15 minutes to get me testing. I pee, I eat some cheez-it's, I crack my neck, and I go in with the mindset that I'm going to war with that exam. When I step into the door I'm completely confident I've got the upper-hand on the exam. That's what I do when I test.
Ruiner, A+, N+, CCNA | |
| cwt007 2001-12-10, 7:58 pm |
| Exam Prep
I usually schedule my test my test on Tuesday about 9 am. To recover from the weekend and study one last time on Monday. I usually study and pracitce hands on for a few weeks off and on. Then I will schedule the test. I feel that once I schedule the test I study harder. Then I study hard for about two weeks. I take the weekend right before the test completely off and have a good time. I do my last bit odf studying on Monday. On tuesday I wake up eat a good breakfast, then drive to the testing center. I go right in confident and take the test as soon as they will let me. | |
| trala 2001-12-11, 10:41 am |
| I read the book completely. It takes about a month with kids and all (my excuse). I schedule the exam for the new $125.00 fee. I am now motivated to study my pants of since I am so freakin cheap! So far, so good. I have passed Switching, Remote Access, and Routing.
I think maybe I'll skip the reading for Support/Troubleshooting and just pay the motivation fee - nah. |
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