Preparing for Tests

If you are like most people, you have probably already realized that it is significantly more difficult for an individual to prepare for a standardized accounting school exam than it is for an individual to prepare for an exam that is not standardized. The reason for this is that standardized exams typically cover a wide range of information covering a variety of different topics, and it is virtually impossible for an individual to review everything that a standardized exam might cover. Because of this, a person must be able to find a way to prepare for a standardized exam without memorizing everything; there is simply too much information for an individual to memorize. It is important to note, however, that discovering the best way to prepare for a standardized exam is not always a simple task, and you may find it helpful to know some of the techniques that you can use to make it easier for you to prepare for a standardized test.

First, try to determine exactly what the test covers. This is important because every standardized test covers a different set of topics and subtopics, and it is important for you to make sure that you know what the test covers so that you can study the appropriate information. In other words, there is no reason to study your calculus formulas if the test does not cover calculus (and most of the standardized exams that you will be required to take do not actually cover calculus), so you have to know what the test covers to make the best use of your study time.

Secondly, try to determine how the test is set up. Each standardized test is typically split into a series of sections, and each section covers a different subject. Knowing the format of the test ahead of time is important because you will have only a limited amount of time to answer each of the questions in each section, and you have to make sure that you are prepared to answer each type of question in a short period of time. Finally, try to study the simple formulas first. This is important because the exam is designed so that each question can be answered in a minute or two. As a result, it is very rare for a question to require a complicated formula.