How to have time to prepare for the exam and not die: 10 quick tips

1. Plan your time before the exam

Usually, preparation for important exams begins almost a year before the event itself. But the closer to the exam, the more exciting - especially if the whole year there were more important things. To give yourself more confidence, make a list of what you definitely need to repeat.

If time is running out, focus on what matters most. In such a scenario, it is worth choosing topics and tasks that occur most often in order to get the most out of the remaining days or weeks. Literally take a calendar and distribute there the highest priority issues as part of your preparation.

You may not have enough time to work on complex topics, and such material can simply slow down the whole process, reducing your motivation and self-confidence.

2. Create a working atmosphere for classes

Scientists have long provedthat the physical environment affects cognitive abilities. Therefore, it is important to create a comfortable working area for yourself, where all study materials will be at hand.

It is best to switch your smartphone to silent mode during class. You can even set up a schedule for its activation so that nothing distracts you.

3. Arm yourself with the right study materials

In addition to basic textbooks, reference books and other school materials, you will need specialized literature aimed specifically at preparing for the exam.

Schools now advise certain editions of collections that are published by the compilers of the exam and contain tasks from the Unified State Examination of previous years. The same tasks can be found online in the open bank Federal Institute of Pedagogical Measurements.

The platform "I will decide. USEwhere you can practice online. Similar service There is also Yandex.

4. Find useful smartphone tools

There are many mobile applications that will help in preparing for the exam and make it easier to check practice assignments. The simplest example is a smart camera in "Yandex - with Alice”, which can translate text, as well as solve quadratic and linear equations from a photo. In this case, you will get not only the result, but also the procedure, which will help you understand even the most complex example.

For mathematics, there are more functional Photomath And Microsoft Math Solver, mathway or even "Desmos Graphing Calculator”, which does a good job with graphics. However, analysis of the solution in the same Mathway costs money, in Photomath advanced functions are available only for a fee, and Math Solver does not work stably on all devices.

Also, in preparation, quick answers and hints in the search can be useful. You don't even need to download anything for this. The same "Yandex" can quickly issue a formula - just enter a query, for example, "parallelogram area".

5. Download handy mobile guides

There are many exam preparation apps on Google Play and the App Store. These can be both general reference books on key disciplines of the school curriculum, and textbooks on certain subjects, including those with an emphasis on passing the exam. The latter include "Foxford Tutorial», «Examer», «Maximum: school, OGE and USE 2023”, “Quick reference book I DECIDE USE” and many USE applications with convenient tables and diagrams. We have compiled a complete list in a separate article.

6. Get help from a tutor

Self-preparation is good, but tutoring can be much more useful even for a short period of time. The teacher will evaluate your knowledge, help you solve problems and give answers to all those questions that have accumulated as you prepare for the exam.

And it is not at all necessary to look for someone to study offline - everything can be done via the Internet.

7. Watch video tutorials

If the option with a tutor does not suit you, use the video lectures from YouTube. Teachers of online schools often publish video reviews of USE assignments from the previous or the year before last. For example, the Umskul online school has separate channels with analyzes in all subjects, from the obligatory Russian language to computer science.

Similarly, you can find lessons that deal with specific topics in the school curriculum. They will allow you to fill in the gaps in knowledge or make sure that you have mastered the material.

8. Make useful notes

Well-written notes will allow you to remember a lot of information and understand the material. They can also become your cheat sheets for memorizing formulas or some schemes.

The main thing is to use the appropriate record keeping format. For example, with a large amount of information, the Cornell method can help, and with an acute shortage of free time, the index method. We talk about cool working techniques in a separate article.

9. Don't forget about rest

Research showthat even a short 10-second rest while studying brings enormous benefits. During such pauses, neurons in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus become 20 times more active, increasing the ability to learn and remember information.

To get into balance between study and play, you can use time management techniques like Pomodorowhen every 25 minutes of labor is accompanied by 5-minute breaks. It really works.

10. Don't be afraid of the exam

Don't be afraid or distracted by the thought of what will happen if you fail the exam badly. These thoughts only slow down the preparation process and knock down your motivation. Don't dwell on the bad scenario.

Various practices can help reduce anxiety levels. The simplest is deep breaths and slow exhalations. Benefits of this relaxation method confirmed research scientists from Stanford.

Also, in the process of preparing for exams or taking a break from study, soothing music or sounds of nature. This background too reduces stress level.

And of course, don't forget to eat right. There are a number productsto help manage anxiety.

However, even if you do really badly pass the exam, it doesn’t matter. This is not a key event in your life. It does not determine your destiny and who you eventually become.

To increase your chances of admission in any case, choose several universities with different passing scores. Do not aim at just one educational institution and faculty: freedom of choice will reduce the degree of anxiety, which means it will help you focus on the exam and show all your knowledge.