WRITEN EXAM CONTINUED
There are some misconceptions regarding reading that may affect your ability to read. Speed reading courses do not help in reading comprehension examinations. Look at this type of reading as technical material which you must know, even though it may not be technical. Again, the reading is comprehensive, hence the word "comprehension." In this testing method, the moving of your lips or other parts of your mouth & throat as you read silently, helps in comprehension. Seeing & saying (without vocalizing) what you read increases learning. This is a basic learning technique. If you see & say something, the learning process increases exponentially. Read word for word, rather than groups of words. When you sub-vocalize the reading, you will be forced to say words you normally would scan past. Reread if necessary, the sentence to fully comprehend what is being said. Verbs & linking nouns can dramatically alter the tenor, "flavor", or meaning of the material being studied which could easily be taken out of context. Although some of the above paragraphs may be against some reading instructors concepts on how to read, statistics have proven many of the above concepts to be valid reading comprehension techniques.
HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE WRITTEN?
Are you having problems with math, mechanical aptitude, or word comprehension? A great & affordable idea is to contact your local community college for tutoring. For math, you only need to know about twelve formulas. Once you have the formulas down, you just plug in the numbers or convert the word math problems into the formula. For mechanical aptitude, the ARCO Mech. Aptitude & Spatial Relations book has been noted as the best. choice. Of all the books out there candidates tell us the Firefighter Entrance Hand Book is the best. Try this approach. Instead of taking the sample tests in the written test books cold, go to the answers in the back & go through the first time with the answers. Then you'll know what they are looking for in the answers. It will cut your learning time. There are only so many ways they can ask a question on the same topic. You will get to the point where you can look at a question and go right to the answer.
ELIMINATE DISTRACTIONS
You should try to eliminate, as completely as possible, distractions from your study environment. These distractions compete for your attention and effect your attitude and memory of the material that you are trying to emphasize. You should also select an area with the least amount of distractions. Your study area could be a bedroom with a desk, the basement of your home, the attic, or anywhere else where you can devote your absolute attention to the task at hand. Proper lighting is important along with a comfortable chair and desk. Be sure that when you are studying, everyone else in your family knows that you are not to be interrupted.
Everybody has a different time of the day when he or she has extremely good retention capabilities. This time could be from 6:00 A.M. to 12:00 noon, or from 1:00 P.M. until 6:00 P.M., or from 9:00 P.M. until 3:00 A.M. Only you know that. As you begin to study, find out which time of the day is best for you, where you have absolute retention of the material that you are studying. It is highly recommended that you take a break every hour, whether it be for 5 to 10 minutes just to get up, walk around, get a breath of fresh air, get something to drink, and then go back to studying. For some people, these breaks might only be needed after 2 to 3 hours of studying. Again, this is a situation where you are the best judge of when a break is needed. Many times, an individual becomes fatigued while studying. At this point, the material is not absorbed as easy as it is when you are well rested. Sometimes the best thing to do is to step away from the material, get a good night’! s sleep, and start over the next day. Trying to force your mind to study will only hamper the progress you are trying to make.
Also, remember that a sound body equals a sound mind. You should try to maintain a regular exercise program in which you feel good about yourself. This will put you in a better frame of mind, which in turn will enhance your studying.