Activity

I’ve taken two of the three multiple choice exams and passed those two the first time using the following method. I wrote a blog entry somewhere on this site expanding on this method but here it is in a nutshell: It may seem strange at first but it works – apparently. You should know I have no LA degree so I had even that much more of a handicap. Digitally record all of your reading. Use a digital recorder that can convert to MP3 so you can play it for yourself anywhere. You’re not actually working any harder than you would otherwise because you’re already reading the material – you’re just reading it aloud. If you can get passed the embarrassment / awkwardness of this method you will be serving yourself well. Trust in that. I started out creating a study topic list by first reviewing CLARB’s list of expectations they publish for each section. Using these expectations I located all associated topics within the index of each of the recommended books (the new shortened list). Or you can just dictate the entire book – I did in most cases. Get started early. When I took section D I studied for 3 weeks and when I took Section A I studied for a month using this method. I should have started studying earlier than that so I had more time to listen to my recordings. Other Advice: Begin studying with plenty of time to spare. Your sense of preparedness will give you the confidence you need to pass. You will need to make educated guesses on about half the exam. Accept this going into it. Don’t drag yourself down by listening to and studying with “misery needing company”. Stay away from people who would have you convinced how hard it is. Study groups, in my opinion, are almost completely useless. They can slow you down and take in the wrong direction. Consider “study unions” – you don’t actually study together you just share material. The correct answer will always be the safest (health / safety / welfare), most logical, most reasonable answer. Rely on your common sense instincts. Complex multiple choices (“is it A, B and D or is it B, C, and D) are your friend. They give more aspects to eliminate. Despite how obvious it is most people do not allow themselves to focus on one question at a time. No other question exists in the universe except the one you’re looking at. Don’t be surprised if the first question on the exam is a real SOB. I think they do this so you will become relaxed as you find the questions after it aren’t as bad. Good luck. Jarrod