Philosophers have debated procrastination for centuries, attempting to explain why people put off the most significant, difficult, and time-consuming jobs. Because you have so many other things to accomplish for your applications, it might be tempting to put off studying for an entrance exam. On the other hand, leaving studying to the last minute can have a detrimental effect on test performance and the test-taker, particularly on a high-stakes exam like an entrance exam. Allotting adequate time for studying can improve not only your performance and self-assurance but also your ability to remember the material in the long run. These are the main three explanations for why we advise getting ready as soon as possible.
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1. Extended study periods encourage extended learning periods.
The best exam preparation method is to spread out your study sessions over a long period of time. Studying in short bursts (often called cramming) is less productive than spacing out your sessions since it requires more mental effort for the brain to recover previously taught material. This enhances long-term memory retention by creating stronger and more varied neural networks. For this reason, we advise against taking several examinations in a single week and instead advise taking a practice test every two to four weeks.
Moreover, extended periods of study are linked to inductive learning, which is the capacity to apply prior knowledge to new situations. In essence, extended study improves the capacity to draw connections between previously learned material and novel subjects. This procedure improves the likelihood of resolving difficulties that have never been encountered before. To put it succinctly, extended study sessions enable pupils to tackle novel problems with more efficiency.
Studying over an extended period of time also enables students to revisit previously covered material, or re-learn it, which helps with long-term retention. Our curriculum-aligned test preparation products help students acquire new ideas and reinforce those they have already learned, in addition to covering the information covered on the exam.
2. Feeling and being ready for anything.
You’ll feel more prepared if you give yourself enough time to study for an exam. Test anxiety has been found to have a detrimental effect on standardized test performance. Over time, test-related anxiety may negatively impact social and physical health indicators as well as overall academic achievement.
A student’s sense of readiness has a significant impact on test anxiety. Exam exposure boosts self-efficacy and a sense of readiness, both of which can lessen the detrimental effects of test-related anxiety. The ideal method for pupils to become familiar with the examination is to take practice exams. In a relaxed setting, practice exams assist students in becoming acquainted with the format and subject matter of the real exam.
Every kid has a unique experience with test anxiety. When it comes to high-stakes exams, though, everyone needs to feel ready. You’ll feel less stressed and more confident on exam day if you give yourself adequate time to study.
3. Regular progress is supported by regular planning.
Probably one of the most crucial aspects of exam preparation is consistency. According to our research, the best results on SSAT practice tests come from regular, long-term practice testing combined with study sessions in between. Students did 15% better on average on their second practice exam than on their first. Furthermore, from their first to their sixth practice exam, students who kept taking them had an average improvement of 36%.
Our results align other research endeavors that have examined the significance of repeated testing. Repeated testing with feedback leads in much improved long-term retention of information, even if repeated studying strategies, such employing flashcards, can be an excellent strategy for learning (and remembering).