Power tips for busy professionals -- before, during, after exam time

j_M007 — Mon, 09 Oct 2023 08:52:56 GMT

BEFORE THE EXAM

When studying, less is more. Rather than cudgeling your brains for 60 minutes, break it in three 20 minute power sessions focused on your weaker points.
Have index cards on hand to create your own questions, note salient points, and jog your memory.
Draw mind maps.
Make comparison charts.
Use mnemonics (rhymes, acronyms, songs, memory palaces) - they have worked for people for thousands of years, so what makes you so special they won't work for you?) 😉
Have fun, and give yourself meaningful rewards. (Walks, music, mindful contemplation can really help with your journey and your overall health.)
Track your progress by keeping a study journal,
Rather than cramming 100 questions at a time, take 10 questions and really think about WHY the answer is the best one.
Drink water (hydration will help you and your brain)
Eliminate "must," "should," "ought" from your vocabulary.
Nothing is (OK, few things are!) "do or die."
Look at this as a journey down the sometimes wide, sometimes narrow, fascinating path of information security. This is just a beginning of a continuing journey.
Take frequent breaks.
Never judge yourself harshly.
Do you the best you can.

DURING THE EXAM

Likely nothing you have seen, read or studied will appear exactly as it does on the exam.
Be calm.
Believe in your preparation.
Know how much time you need for questions (on the CAT you cannot skip questions - AFAIK), so be certain before you commit the answer.
Slow your breathing, and act calmly.
Be methodical.
Work from the bottom up (D,B,C,A)
Read the question entirely, and take a second to ponder it (sometimes the wording is asking you what NOT to do!)
Eliminate the wrong answers first, then choose the most likely one.
You have a whiteboard and a marker, use them!
Do not hurry.
Do the best you can.
Be positive.

AFTER THE EXAM

Congratulate yourself; whether you have passed or failed the exam you have achieved a milestone.
Recognize your FUD
Recognize you have really done the best you can.
Accept the result.

You deserve respect, and the only one who can give it or receive it is You.

Good luck!

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