You can be putting in hours of study time, but your time’s being wasted if you’re falling into these common traps when studing for your multiple choice tests:
- Rigid study schedule: Study schedules aren’t always ideal for multiple choice exams, and they may not fit your style. Don’t be too rigid.
- Reading and re-reading (writing too little): Studying means using your brain and your hands. Get the pen on the paper and capture the main essence of what you’re reading.
- Writing too much (not condensing): If you’re writing and rewriting the same old notes, it’s time to put the pen down. You’re not a photocopier. Focus on learning and gradually reducing your study notes over time.
- Giving yourself too much time to study: Like any task, your studying will expand to fit the time available. Restrict yourself to tight, focused and effective blocks of time.
- Memorizing instead of understanding: Simply trying to memorize is going to get you in trouble. Success on MCQ tests comes through comprehension. You need to understand what you’re reading, not just memorize it. Remember: you’re not a trained monkey.
- Staring at the same pages over and over: Just realized you’ve been on page 214 of your textbook for the past hour? If you find yourself staring at a page over and over without really learning, it’s time to take a break or switch topics.
