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Good day steemians, I believe you are all doing wonderfully well. Before I proceed, I would like to appreciate @simonnwigwe who is ever up and doing, consistent and efficient as always to bring yet again another contest that keeps us all active and engaged. This contest is quite an interesting one as it is all about reflecting on the practical ways we adopt while preparing for an examination. Well,here in this article is my practical way of preparing for an exam.

HOW DO YOU PREPARE FOR AN EXAM?

Examinations are way of evaluating and discerning the understanding of a student on a particular subject. In any institution of learning, exams are necessary steps taken to ensure a progressive result. Preparing for an exam is very vital and important. There is a popular saying that says "If you fail to plan, you plan to fail". This means not preparing or forgetting to prepare for an exam means preparing unconsciously to fail whether we like it or not.

In preparing for an exam, there are so many things people do both good and bad. Some prepare beforehand to smuggle incriminating materials into the exam hall to help them pass. While some study extensively before the day to be adequately prepared.

However, in preparing for my exams, I usually start my studies two to three weeks before the scheduled date of the exam. This is because studying is more efficient than reading a day or two for an exam. I believe that when you consistently study your books, you become familiar with the various concepts involved and it will be difficult to forget most of what you read while studying. But if you read one of two days before the exam it will be difficult for the brain to accumulate everything all at once and remember all of it.

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Secondly, I usually skim through previous exam questions relating to the exam I am writing and study them, observing their pattern or style of exam, the type of questions asked, and the number of questions with the time limit. This helps me a lot especially when I am preparing for a foreign exam I have not written before and it is strange to me. And I discover that most time, some of the questions are repeated or a few changes are made to the previous ones and given again.

DO YOU HAVE ANY TRICK THAT YOU HAVE DEVELOPED OVER TIME THAT WORKS PERFECTLY FOR YOU?

I do have a few tricks I have developed over the years that do work for me. First, while skimming through previous exam questions I observe the type of questions that occur majorly and read those topics in my text book. It works everytime because most examiners just go back to those topics and set questions similar to the previous ones.

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Secondly I pray before studying my books. Many people think spirituality should not be related to exams but rather your individual capability, that is studying and hard work. But I believe it should be and it works for me. Before I start reading, I pray that God should direct me to the specific areas to read that they may likely set and it actually works. He is a God that answers. Most times where I read is where some questions comes from.

WHEN IS YOUR FAVOURITE TIME TO STUDY FOR AN EXAM AND WHY?

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I prefer studying at night. After I am done with the day's activities, I get some sleep towards the evening for a short while and wake up at night to study. It is my favourite time to study because at night everywhere is so serene and cool. And from my self observation, my brain functions best and accumulates information fast with a high retentive memory whenever I study at night. I believe this is because after the stress of the day's activities, having a little nap calms my brain and makes it relaxed for another activity,which in this case is studying.

DO YOU FEEL SCARED WHEN GOING IN FOR AN EXAM? HOW HAVE YOU BEEN ABLE TO CONTROL OR FIGHT THIS FEELING?

Feeling scared is a natural feeling which I do feel some times. Especially when I am about to write a strange exam I have not written before. How I tackle this feeling of fear is by encouraging myself. Whenever I feel it creeping closer to the surface I simply remind myself on how I adequately prepared for the exam. This is because when I am adequately prepared for an exam I feel more confident in myself and ability and less scared.

WHAT ADVICE DO YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO FIND IT DIFFICULT TO PREPARE FOR AN EXAM

I admit sometimes it can be difficult to prepare for an exam. Because it requires self discipline, determination and probably sleepless nights. But the end results is always worth it. So I advise those finding it difficult to prepare for an exam to study themselves and find whatever pattern works best for them and try to move out of their comfort zone. Because no pain, no gain. At the end you will be proud you did it.

I invite @oguzvic, @ruthjoe and @saintkelvin to participate in this contest.