1. Taper off your reviewing and focus instead on making what
you already know more retrievable.
2. Review your own summaries and concentrated notes to refresh
the key concepts and crucial aspects in your mind.
3. Work through practice questions in order to pinpoint what
you still find it difficult to recall so that you can then
clarify the information using your notes or the item
explanations.
4. If you tend to be a night owl, gradually adjust your
biological clock so that you will be able to sleep the night
before and wake up on test day ready to perform mentally. Avoid
taking naps during the day this week to train yourself to be
alert during the hours you will be taking the exam.
5. Allow at least 6-8 hours to sleep each night. Your brain
continues to integrate and consolidate information while you
sleep, so this rest mode is essential for good recall.
6. Allow at least some time every day this final week for
recreation and relaxation. Last week cramming will only raise
your anxiety level and leave you feeling less in control, so
don't succumb to the temptation to get through it all just one
last time. What you will be most likely use in dealing with the
questions is already stored in your head anyway, so be gentle
with yourself.
7. You may want to check out a map or drive to the test center
so you will know exactly how it's situated and how long it will
take you to get there on test day.
8. If you aren't already familiar with the testing software
and administration details, review these at the PANCE web site
(www.nccpa.net) this week. Make sure that you
understand what you should bring along that morning, where the
key information and function buttons are on the testing screen
and how to navigate among the screens, and how break time is
handled.
