Match practice to the exam
Use practice problems for problem-solving exams, retrieval for fact-heavy courses and timed outlines for essay exams.
Highlighting and reorganizing notes can feel productive without testing whether you can use the material.
Define done each day
Choose a finite set of questions, chapters or project milestones before the session starts.
When the task is complete, stop or move to recovery rather than extending work to fill the whole night.
Match the session to the assessment
Choose the action that produces evidence you can perform.
- Problem-solving examSolve unseen representative problems without notes, then diagnose the first failed step.
- Essay examBuild and write timed arguments from prompts using evidence you can retrieve.
- Fact-heavy examUse spaced retrieval and mixed questions rather than rereading complete chapters.
- Final projectWork backward from rubric-tested milestones and reserve a clean submission check.
Protect the last 24 hours
Use the final day to stabilize performance, not to redesign the course.
- Exam logisticsConfirm time, location, allowed materials, technology and travel.
- Weakest useful topicReview the gap most likely to appear and still responsive to practice.
- Required materialsPack permitted identification, chargers, calculators, writing tools or project files before the stop time.
- Stop timeSet a realistic end to new work and prepare what you need for the morning.
- After the examDo not conduct an extended answer comparison when another final still needs attention.
