10 golden rules for exam prep 🔑
A year ago, we shared the basics for surviving exam prep. This year, we've refined our approach to help you level up.
Here are 10 revisited tips for exam prep that's not just survived, but mastered from A to Z.
1. Realism before ambition
A rigid schedule creates stress when surprises hit. Plan "buffer" blocks (3 to 4 hours weekly) to handle interruptions without destabilizing your program.
The BLO tip
BLO creates a plan that automatically recalculates when you're sick or running late. You no longer have to rebuild your schedule every time something unexpected happens.
2. Embrace "Deep Work"
Quality beats quantity. Four focused hours are worth more than eight distracted ones. Kill notifications and isolate your phone to enable total immersion in the material.
3. The J-day method
Use spaced repetition by reviewing at intervals of J+1, J+3 and J+7 to anchor information durably in memory.
It's one of cognitive psychology's most solid principles: what counts isn't the quantity of rereadings, it's their spacing.
4. Make your study interactive (and smart)
Passive reading is the main mistake. Actively question the material, hide your notes and recite, build connections between chapters.
BLO as a study partner
You can use BLO to quiz yourself via voice messages. Much more effective than rereading something for the thirtieth time.
5. Simulate the exam (the testing effect)
Train with past exams, no documentation and with a timer. If unavailable, answer open questions: it strengthens memory just as effectively.
6. Your breaks are sacred
The brain needs "diffuse" mode to consolidate learning. Effective breaks are:
- Walking
- Stretching
- Hydrating
- Music
The trap
Scrolling social media is NOT a break. It's a distraction that tires the brain instead of resting it.
7. Sleep isn't optional
Information moves from short-term to long-term memory during sleep. Cutting rest to study more is a bad trade.
Aim for 7 to 8 hours. Non-negotiable.
8. Mix it up (Interleaving)
Alternate between theory in the morning (when the brain is fresh) and practical exercises in the afternoon. Switching subjects refreshes concentration.
9. Feed your brain
Avoid sugar spikes that cause energy crashes. Favor:
- Nuts
- Fruit
- Dark chocolate
- Water, in quantity
10. Positive attitude (really)
Stress paralyzes, action liberates.
Focus on the next step rather than the whole task. Celebrate every chapter finished. Practice self-compassion.
These 10 rules aren't magic. But applied together, they make the difference between an exam prep you suffer through and one you master.
The iBlocus team đź’™
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