My Study Technique
Jul 8th, 2008 by Ken
I have posted a suggested study schedule under Before You Begin, Study Material. It is also included in the Week 1 - Reserves 2008 study manual pdf. Below is how I would approach the CAS 6.
1. I always suggest reading the article first. I typically like to mark on the reading (yellow highlighter, notes in the margin). Remember, you don’t have to understand everything on your first pass through, so don’t spend too much time on any one article.
2. I like going through the past exam problems just to see the kind of problems I’m looking at. I work them if I can, but again, I don’t spend too much time on any one problem. I usually don’t look at the most recent problems, saving them for later, unless there just aren’t any other questions. I like to mark the text where I find the answers with a blue highlighter. Anything in blue or green (because it was marked in yellow from 1.) has been asked before. I just need to understand the past exam questions. Anything that remains in yellow is something I thought looked important during my first pass but hasn’t been asked yet. I liked writing my own problems from this material and saving them for my second pass. You could also make notecards and/or mark the study manual if you prefer.
3. Here is where the videos come in for some people. Some students like using them during their first pass. I would have probably used them on my second pass. I liked getting through all the readings as quickly as possible on the first pass.
4. I would always start July 5 and plan to be through my first pass by about September 1. The second pass is where I think the videos work really well. On the second pass, I would watch the videos, work the problems with the videos, and then go through all of the problems (past, new, and ones that you write). Now you can work on understanding the material. However, note that you need to cover the material twice as quickly on your second pass. I like to be through this pass by about October 1. You should really feel comfortable with the material after this.
5. In October, this is where you need to log the hours. Make sure you can work every problem/question from the past and new problems section. Rewatch videos for sections that are still giving you trouble. Finally - memorize. October can make the difference between a 5 and a 6.
6. I usually want you to feel good about the material before dipping into the quizzes. It is most effective to take these under test type conditions. I usually take the past exams and practice exam starting about 1-2 weeks before. Again, it is important to use exam like conditions. If you haven’t worked the 2007 exam problems, it is a good indication of how you can expect to feel when taking the exam. Timing is crucial when taking an exam. Work on timing on the quizzes and practice exams. I have seen many students get 5s because they didn’t get to the last 3 or 4 questions. Write thorough answers, but don’t fail because you spent half an hour on a problem. I usually target about 2 - 3 mins per point when practicing problems.
7. The audio files fit in wherever you find them most effective (driving/riding into work, cleaning the house, at work). I use October as a massive memorization month.
I’m sure I forgot a few things. Please note - the method to use is what works best for you. I would usually target about 15 hours per week in July and August, 15-20 in September, and 20-25 in October. Of course, it is less important how long you studied, and more important how well you studied. When I took part 10, I was not ready two weeks before the exam and was forced into about 120 or so hours in the last two weeks (it killed me). Never give up. Study until that last day.
One more note - do not miss questions written from past questions. You should know all of the past exam questions well. Don’t give away free points.
Good luck.
