A question I frequently encounter is, "Where do I even start with my study preparation?" From my experience, the cornerstone of effective studying begins with a thorough understanding of the exam itself. Before diving into textbooks or lecture notes, I highly recommend starting with the exam's testing framework, exploring sample practice questions, and familiarizing yourself with the format and content you can expect to encounter. This approach has always given me clarity on the type of content that will be present on each exam. More importantly, it allows me to strategize my studying time efficiently. By knowing what to expect, I can allocate my efforts towards topics that are heavily emphasized and brush up on areas I'm less confident about.
But that's just my take on it. I'm curious to hear from you all – what strategies do you find most effective when beginning your study journey for the CST exams or any other significant test? Do you dive straight into practice problems, or perhaps start with a review of foundational concepts?