Study strategies and organization for the EBAU Exams

Even if we thought we didn't have to deal with them yet, when we turn the page of our calendar, there they are: the dates of the final exams we had written down, getting closer and closer. It is at that moment that a somewhat overwhelming countdown is installed in us.

In addition, in the case of preparing for the EBAU exams, or Evaluation of the Baccalaureate for University Access (previously known as "selectivity exams"), it usually happens that the student has little experience studying for such decisive tests, something that makes this challenge even more intimidating. As a help, here we will give you several study strategies for the EBAU exams.

Emotional management before exams is key

Although we cannot deny that taking an exam is a stressful situation —since we consider the possibility of disapprove or being evaluated by a teacher—, to achieve our objectives we need to present ourselves in all modes.

From this position, we could also argue that getting rid of our fears before an exam is an unrealistic illusion. Therefore,

the best thing will be to take the exam even with anxiety and fear as traveling companions; which does not mean that we can attend the final exam being objectively prepared.

To be sure that we have studied enough —or rather, in a way intelligent— could provide us with a certain degree of security when we find ourselves in front of the sheet; Or, failing that, it could mean a reduction in the incidence of nerves when we want to solve the task.

For these reasons, below we will develop the most effective study strategies, as well as we will propose some guidelines that can be useful to plan and organize the study prior to exams finals.

• Related article: "The 11 executive functions of the human brain"

Before studying for the university entrance exam: planning

We anticipated something about this key: more than the amount of time we invest in the study, what will really bring us closer to obtaining good results is carrying out an intelligent study. Hasn't it ever happened to you that you have a whole day to study, but after a few hours you end up dispersing? Well, although there is no consensus on the subject among scientists, some argue that forty hours is the maximum time in which one can take advantage of his study (including time of classes).

Establishing a limited time to study is a good strategy to optimize the preparation of a final exam. At the same time, you will not make the mistake of giving up other activities of vital importance such as going to social events, resting, exercising and having leisure time. In fact, they are necessary for learning. For example, it has been shown that learned knowledge settles while we sleep, or that giving short walks in nature as a rest help to improve long-term memory of knowledge term.

The importance of planning also lies in establishing when we will study. This will depend on your obligations and preferences, but the advantage of stipulating a certain time —if possible, in the same place, time of day or after doing a certain activity, for example, after taking the dog for a walk in the afternoon, is that you will have a better chance of making it a habit. Chain the task that you want to do after another that you are used to it will increase the chances that it will be fulfilled, a strategy that is called applying action triggers.

• You may be interested in: "10 tips to study better and efficiently"

Study strategies for the EBAU exams

Having planned and organized the study, it is time to sit down at the desk. Most likely, each person has a particular study method deeply rooted, for example, the preparation of summaries or underlining. However, it is also possible that the preferred study technique for that person is ineffective compared to other strategies that have not yet been explored. Let's see some of them.

1. spaced practice

This strategy is closely related to the organization. It has been proven that dividing study time into several shorter sessions rather than a single block allows for reflection on what is being studied, and thus better consolidate the information in long-term memory. To plan what we will study in each session, it may be useful to divide the study material, perhaps according to the units or axes that organize the program of the subject, so it is essential to have it at hand. In this, the calendar is your best friend (or some phone application that acts as a calendar).

• Related article: "Spaced repetition (technique to memorize): what it is and how to use it"

2. explain it to someone

It has been proven that peer tutoring, that is, explaining or sharing the knowledge we have about a certain topic with a partner. This is because in this process we test what we have understood, being able to detect possible errors or vacant spaces. Besides, that interpersonal and collaborative action is already enough for the reward brain circuits to intervene, causing us to experience pleasure and tend to repeat that activity.

3. rehearsal out loud

By rehearsing out loud, even if it is reading our notes, we will be increasing our ability to remember the information. The reason this occurs is that our learning would involve both a motor act (speaking) and self-referential information (it's me saying this). Although we have already mentioned the benefits of explaining what we have learned to another person, the fact of being alone is not an impediment to applying other strategies: it has also been proven that recording ourselves and then listening to ourselves helps us memorize information more effectively than practicing or reading silently.

4. Drawings to outline

People remember images better than words, so drawing the main concepts the agenda and the relationships they maintain between them is a task that can enhance our learning. However, when you combine drawings with a text that explains them (ie, a visual element with one that points to the meaning), even better. This strategy is called dual coding. Another similar resource that we can rely on, especially in subjects such as biology, is to make models or figures with plasticine. They don't have to be pretty: our brains like them just the same. This is because we will be using a multisensory approach (the tactile and the visual), which will cause us to activate neural connections in different brain areas.

5. Self appraisal

This strategy is very useful to break long periods of reading in which studying becomes a passive and boring activity. Self-assessment is a technique used to exercise information retrieval (ie, recall). In this exercise of bringing to the present moment what we remember, learning is reworked, since we generate new ideas that will be related to the ones we already had. In a way, it works for us. to evaluate that what we remember is related semantically, that is, according to its meaning, and not by repetitive reading of the text. To do this, a good idea is to practice with exam models for that subject, or prepare a list of questions based on the most important topics.