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I know everyone is hitting the books hard right now as am I. I was just wondering how many hours on average are you guys and gals putting in? I myself am trying my hardest to do 5 a day but with work, life and the kids getting in the way it is hard. I am trying my hardest to go up to 7 a day like the fast track recommends but damn. So how about you! How many hours average you would say? Also for those that passed the prior exams and scored decent can you please share some of your study skills, or advice. Thank you all for your time.
I studied 6 hrs a day. 8 on rdos for the 2011 test. Told my wife we aren't doing a thing for 6 months and she was supportive which is key. I was in second class and now have been a Sgt since June of 2012. Good luck.
I have been studying for about 4-6 hrs a day and I was taking a break on Saturday (I have S/S RDO). Sunday I go to class so I study all day. Now I am studying Saturday, around 4 or 5 hrs. Saturday is the day I basically run the errands and other stuff I was suppose to do during the week but I didn't do bc I am studying. The last time I took the test I was studying almost 8 hrs a day and I burned myself out and I got a 62. I am studying different now and I seem to be doing much better then before and I think I should be good this time. I guess everyone is different.
I have been studying for about 4-6 hrs a day and I was taking a break on Saturday (I have S/S RDO). Sunday I go to class so I study all day. Now I am studying Saturday, around 4 or 5 hrs. Saturday is the day I basically run the errands and other stuff I was suppose to do during the week but I didn't do bc I am studying. The last time I took the test I was studying almost 8 hrs a day and I burned myself out and I got a 62. I am studying different now and I seem to be doing much better then before and I think I should be good this time. I guess everyone is different.
You know it is strange there are a few others I came across in the past few months who stated similar that they studied a crazy amount and still failed. Gets me a bit on the nervous side for this test next month. If I may ask did you do a lot of questions? What class did you take? Or did you just read straight up Patrol Guide?
I am taking the Elite class. What dodos before the crams was prepare for class. I would read whatever I have to read for homework But I wouldn't just reassure it once. I would read it plenty of times, highlight and takes notes such as flash cards. Then I would go to class, come hompacket do the packsect before I did a section on the packet I read the PG procedure, read rebel packet and did the questions. I always finished 24-48 hrs after the class. Yanosik haves us the advice era preparing for class. Now with the cram I have a bunch of questions from other courses and I am just doing questions. Whatever I get wrong I see why ass I right it out. I am going to review some sections. You can learn a lot from the question being that you have been studying. I may also go to other cram courses.
I studied on average 3-4 hours a day for a about 6 months for both promotions. I find when I do more than 4 hours a day, it just doesn't sink in and find my mind wandering and just getting tired.
As for results, I was in the first BMOC class on the Sgt's list and I was in the top 100 on the Lt exam. So I would say you need a lot of months and have to set on average a lot of hours every day to pass one of these exams.
-- Edited by PatrolGuideismyBible on Tuesday 10th of September 2013 03:42:17 PM
I also am taking off for as many of the academy cram courses as I can. Getting real nervous but feel like I am picking a lot of the material up to memory. Here is hoping that it is the material that will be needed for test day come October 19 lol.
When I was studying for the last SGT exam, I studied so much I burnt out. I was studying until I got headaches. Now when I study I study for a few hours and take some breaks. I was taking the day off from studying on Saturday, Sunday I had class and started the week over again studying. Taking the day 1 day off was great and when I started the week over I felt refreshed and felt like I retained the material better.
Right not I am thinking of going to The Key crams however the $40 a class is kinda a downer for me. I feel that I have spent enough money on this test. Also thinking about the Academy but I don't feel like taking the train down town. So most likely I'll do the key and I want to the key all day cram.
-- Edited by TV1234 on Tuesday 10th of September 2013 11:43:35 PM
Doing the fast rack cram courses and going to the academy cram courses starting tomorrow. Week 1 for the Academy is the in basket which I found the fast track in basket to be on the tough side so now maybe after going to the academy in basket I will know if it is just me or is it just the fast track in basket is on the tougher side.
I studied 5 days a week the last 2 months. Some days I studied 1 hour and some days I studied 4 or 5. Any thing more I lost train of thought. That book can make you sick after a while. Everything starts to sound the same. Request this guy Notify that guy.
I have access to all the Key packets up until now. What do you girls and guys think that I just cram the key packets the last week prior to exam? I like I stated earlier have been doing all the fast track classes and material. I also have gone threw about half of the rising star packets. Also after one Academy cram class decided I am not going back for the rest of the cram courses, to me it was a waste of lost time I had used to attend. Mainly due to the PO who scanned me in I dealt with there that was very unprofessional and when I was trying to get the academy past material this same PO was so rude that I just left after the course. I was not able to get much of the past material even though the material was there. I also am not touching the Patrol Guide for about a month now other then reviewing answers to practice questions that I get wrong. So in your opinions is craming the key packets the week prior a smart move?
-- Edited by 33fornow on Thursday 19th of September 2013 05:42:59 AM
This is what I am doing and I have been doing since September 1. I took every packet with questions, the key app, Elite LMS and other questions that I have. (I have Elite, The Key, Rising Star and getting academy questions). I am just doing questions and if I get it wrong I look it up and write it out. For questions that I guess right or wasn't to sure about and I got it right I will write it out as well. I also review the important sections of the PG. Doing the questions after months of studying and reading over and over is helping me out a lot. Lets just hope they as a lot of questions that I have been doing on the test. Prepare for the worse, hope for the best. We got less then a month and I can't wait to get my life back.
It is really getting close! Current plan I think last week I will just hit the key and fast rack cram packets and do all the questions I have from key, fast track, Academy, and Rising Star. Any advice left?? Especially those that passed prior exams!!!
-- Edited by 33fornow on Friday 27th of September 2013 08:54:58 AM
It is really getting close! Current plan I think last week I will just hit the key and fast rack cram packets and do all the questions I have from key, fast track, Academy, and Rising Star. Any advice left?? Especially those that passed prior exams!!!
-- Edited by 33fornow on Friday 27th of September 2013 08:54:58 AM
That's what I have being do the whole month however when I get a question wrong I write it out and I am going back to sections I am rusty on. I have been studying since January but really started studying when the classes started up. If you have been studying the whole year then this should help a lot. I know some people that really didn't study and they are just doing questions and thinking those exact questions may come up on the exam. I know it worked for some bosses but I don't know if that works every time. If it does then more power to those guys.
One piece of advice, last couple of days before the test, read the LBB's, those are easier to retain just reading once. So if you read it right before the exam you probably won't get any of the 3 or 4 questions they might throw at you on those. Besides with just a couple of days before the exam, its not like you can read the whole PG in a couple of days.
One piece of advice, last couple of days before the test, read the LBB's, those are easier to retain just reading once. So if you read it right before the exam you probably won't get any of the 3 or 4 questions they might throw at you on those. Besides with just a couple of days before the exam, its not like you can read the whole PG in a couple of days.
Yes. Good advice. Easy way to pick up a few points. Good luck all!
Remember that you are competing not against the rest of the students in the classroom, rather against your own self and all its' weaknesses. Therefore, maintain you composure and answer the first question without getting flustered and repeat 99 more times. Best wishes to all taking this test!
One piece of advice, last couple of days before the test, read the LBB's, those are easier to retain just reading once. So if you read it right before the exam you probably won't get any of the 3 or 4 questions they might throw at you on those. Besides with just a couple of days before the exam, its not like you can read the whole PG in a couple of days.
That is my plan. Also I am hitting CIMS. A point is a point.
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BRING A WATCH ! BRING A WATCH ! BRING A WATCH ! BRING A WATCH ! BRING A WATCH ! BRING A WATCH ! BRING A WATCH ! BRING A WATCH ! BRING A WATCH ! BRING A WATCH ! BRING A WATCH ! BRING A WATCH ! BRING A WATCH ! BRING A WATCH ! BRING A WATCH ! BRING A WATCH ! BRING A WATCH ! BRING A WATCH ! BRING A WATCH ! BRING A WATCH ! BRING A WATCH ! BRING A WATCH ! BRING A WATCH ! BRING A WATCH ! BRING A WATCH ! BRING A WATCH ! BRING A WATCH !
Bring a watch, Gatorade, a snack, calculator, multiple pens and pencils. Take your time. Read the question twice. Sleep the night before. Don't rush. Take a 2 minute break and clear your mind every 10-15 questions. Good luck to all.
Thank you all for the advice I am very greatful for you all taking the time to share your advice. At this point just a few days away from the exam I am still pumping in a lot of hours doing questions and in baskets however I am so tired of this and just can not wait for this all to be over. I pray I do not fail this exam because the amount of time and money I put into this I do not think I can do this again.
Bring a watch, Gatorade, a snack, calculator, multiple pens and pencils. Take your time. Read the question twice. Sleep the night before. Don't rush. Take a 2 minute break and clear your mind every 10-15 questions. Good luck to all.
Excellent advice. You're all almost there. Good luck guys and gals.
Thank you all for the advice I am very greatful for you all taking the time to share your advice. At this point just a few days away from the exam I am still pumping in a lot of hours doing questions and in baskets however I am so tired of this and just can not wait for this all to be over. I pray I do not fail this exam because the amount of time and money I put into this I do not think I can do this again.
I feel the same way. If I fail then i may never do this again. I put way too much time into this exam. I am more concerned about dcas making this test hard then actually knowing the material. Prepare for the worst hope for the best
Remember ON or AFTER because they won't give you any leeway. The cop will be exactly 40 DAYS sick. It will be exactly 6 MONTHS for chronic sick. The cop will be hired EXACTLY on Jan 1, 2007 for the tattoos. etc.....
I am really starting to feel burnt out right before the test of course, lol. Actually threw out most of my question packets from the key, and rising star, felt stressed out at quite a few questions from those packets. Going to hit the Academy packets tomorrow, and I am done mentally and physically. I just hope I retain enough to pass this Saturday. What a experience this is. I keep thinking back to hearing all those comments about how it is so easy to be a boss just pass a exam or my other favorite lucky Saturday stuff....yeah right no wonder almost everyone who says that is still a cop, lol. How is everyone else right now?
I am burnt but I am still studying. I did the key rewrites and I got 78, 80, & 80 (that's without the in basket). It brought my confidence up. Hopefully the ones I got wrong are on the test so I get them right.
I am going to do the legal bulletins and the judgement today and than sayva prayer tomorrow. Hearing from the classes that this test is going to be down the middle