CST Exam Study Tips
Studying, Reviewing, and Preparing for the Board Certification Exam

Effective Study Tips

• Stick to a routine, efficient study schedule
• Accommodate your day/nighttime energy levels
Before you begin studying, take a few minutes to summarize a few objectives, gather what you will need, and think of a general strategy of accomplishment.
• Incentives
Create an incentive if necessary for successfully completing a task,
such as calling a friend, a food treat, a walk, etc.
For special projects such as term papers, design projects, long book reviews, set up a special incentive.
• Change topics
Changing the subject you study every one to two hours for variety.
• Vary your study activities
Alternate reading with more active learning exercises
If you have a lot of reading, try the SQ3R method
Ask yourself how you could increase your activity level while studying? Perhaps a group will be best? Creating study questions?
Ask your teacher for alternative strategies for learning. The more active your learning, the better.
• Take regular, scheduled breaks that fit you
Do something different from what you've been doing (e.g., walk around if you've been sitting), and in a different area.
• Rewards
Give yourself a reward when you've completed a task.

Reviewing for the Exam

• Begin reviewing early
This will give your brain time to get comfortable with the information.
• Conduct short daily review sessions
You can ease into a more intense review session prior to major exams.
• Read text assignments before lectures
This will help you identify concepts that the professor considers important and that are already somewhat familiar.
• Review notes immediately after lectures
This will help you identify information that you do not understand while the lecture is still fresh in your memory--and other students' memories as well. When you review immediately, you'll have time to clarify information with other students.
• Break up the study tasks into manageable chunks, especially during major reviews prior to exams. Studying three hours in the morning and three in the evening will be more effective than studying at a six hour stretch.
• Study the most difficult material when you are alert.

Exam Preparation

• Approach the exam with confidence:
Use whatever strategies you can to personalize success: visualization, logic, talking to your self, practice, team work, journaling, etc.
• View the exam as an opportunity to show how much you've studied and to receive a reward for the studying you've done.
• Be prepared!
Learn your material thoroughly and organize what materials you will need for the test. Use a checklist.
• Choose a comfortable location for taking the test with good lighting and minimal distractions
• Allow yourself plenty of time, especially to do things you need to do before the test and still get there a little early.
• Avoid thinking you need to cram just before an exam.
• Strive for a relaxed state of concentration
Avoid speaking with any fellow students who have not prepared, who express negativity, who will distract your preparation.
• Conduct a major review early enough to allow for a visit to the instructor during his office hours if necessary.
• Review with a group
This will enable you to cover important material that you may overlook on your own.

 

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