EXAM DAY is Rapidly Approaching: Here are Best Tricks for Jumping Ahead

• (Want to know how effective your current study approach is? Take a 2-minute survey and get your score.)

You’ve prepped and you’re in revision and you’re working on a mind set for a successful exam day. There are tricks of the trade that make that possible, and that cost you little effort.

During these last weeks during the review phase somecandidates feel overwhelmed, maybe even moments of panic. There are tricks thatcan get you back on track faster than letting the negative emotion run.

Top Tricks for the Winning Mindset

Problem:Distractions seem to increase during my review.

Solution: Writethings down and plan your fun times

1) Write downeach distraction. Literally, write them down. The act of writing will help to takethe power from the distraction. Then scan the list. Do you notice patterns? Takeaction to remove those distractions that repeat; 2) Be intentional about doingthings you enjoy that thoughts of interrupt your study focus. If you lovemovies on a Saturday afternoon – just get all your work done in the morningwith full concentration because you’ve scheduled the outing.

Problem:I’m anxious and everything seems to take so long.

Solution:Breathe, move and rant.

1) Breathshallow — breathe in for count of 10, out for count of 14; 2) Get up fromstudying and do 10 jumping jacks; and 3) Get a stress buddy– another candidatewho is also stressed — and rant out the feelings!

Problem: I have trouble focusing on mystudies.

Solution: Talk to yourself in the thirdperson.

1)Call you by your own name and give yourself advice. “Huang, you’ve prepared andyou’re ready”, or “Antonio, you’ve got this” can rev down neuronal activity andgive you control over your thoughts; 2) Try it out before exam day; practice everytime that anxious thoughts intrude!

Problem: After awhile, my study effectivenessdrops precipitously

Solution: Take advantage of your ultradianrhythms. Yes I said ultradian not circadian.

Weknow a lot about the daily circadian rhythms in which our energy rises and fallswith the sun. Do you know that we are also affected by ultradian rhythms thatcycle about every 60 to 90 minutes?

Youcan imagine what that means to a study plan and what it really means to the questionof whether to cram for the exam.

Theends of these cycles bring fogginess, fatigue and inability to concentrate. Oncethe cycle ends you’ll notice you feel that way. When you do you might as wellgo with the flow. Your rhythm has slowed.

Thenget up and move or take a break. Move, breathe, or take a 10-minute nap forthat break – don’t surf the internet or read anything.

Want to be able to predict your own rhythms? Start tracking your own daily rhythms. Learn to identify that state when your energy cycles downward and keep a daily log for 3 weeks. Then build that time into your study plan, especially for long study sessions on weekends.

(Want to know how effective your current study approach is? Take a 2-minute survey and get your score.)

(Candidates who study together pass together. Try our free matching service to find your passing partner.)

AboutCandidate Success: We developed coaching programs so more candidates receiveYou Passed when results arrive in the mail. Save time with personalizedapproach. Founded by Cynthia Harrington, CFA, former fund manager andaward-winning journalist, our clients have a high success rate and an evenhigher satisfaction rate. Prepping for the CFA© exam does not have to bepainful.