Don't think it's too early? Start practicing past exam questions during summer vacation
In this series, we will be sharing information about university entrance exams and universities. Let's learn together.
The theme this time is "Past exam practice" The timing at which people start practicing past exam questions varies, and I think it's one of the sources of worry for test-takers. Here, I'd like to share my own views and provide some effective ways to approach the topic. Please feel free to use this as a reference.
90% of test takers don't know this?! When is the best time to practice past exam questions?
With summer vacation upon us, students are approaching the middle stage of their exam preparation period. This year, many students have come to us for advice, and one of the most frequently asked questions is, "When should I start studying past exam papers?"
"Should I start looking at past exam questions now?" "I'm still not sure about the basics, so maybe I should study some more reference books first?"
There are probably many students who are confused about this.
In recent years, solving past exam questions during summer vacation has become a common practice in preparing for university entrance exams. I personally instruct my students to work through 10 years' worth of Common Test questions (5 years' worth x 2 times) and 10 years' worth of past exam questions for secondary and private universities during summer vacation, when they have a lot of free time. This is because practicing past exam questions not only helps you solve them, but also helps you manage your time, analyze trends, and identify your weak areas.
Why you should practice past exam questions in the summer
Have you ever calculated how long it would take to solve a year's worth of past exam questions? For the common test, it could take several hours per subject, while for the second exam or private university entrance exams, it could take nearly half a day per subject. To do this for 10 years' worth of questions, you would need to set aside a considerable amount of time.
Summer vacation is the only period in which test-takers can easily secure a large amount of study time. By studying past exam questions during this period, you can focus on overcoming weaknesses found in practice and on more practical learning from autumn onwards.
In addition, there are significant benefits to being exposed to past exam questions early on, including the following effects:
- You can experience the exam question trends and time allocation
- You can quickly identify areas of weakness or lack of understanding.
- It helps you clarify your learning priorities and create an efficient study plan.
This "early analysis and correction" is a big step towards passing the exam.
Three conditions for starting to practice past exam questions in the summer
① The foundation has been laid
If your foundation is insufficient, you will not get the results you want on past exam questions, which can lead to self-loathing and frustration. First, you should solidify the foundations of your main subjects to a certain extent before attempting the exam.
② You can secure a certain amount of time
Past exam questions take twice as long to answer, but also to review and analyze. A long vacation like summer vacation is a great opportunity to do this.
③ Learning strategies are being developed for the fall and beyond
By working through past exam questions in the summer, you can focus on overcoming your weaknesses and improving your score in the fall. On the other hand, if you don't have a plan, you might end up just solving past exam questions, so be careful.
If you meet these criteria, we recommend that you start now. From autumn onwards, you will be busy with school and mock exams, making it difficult to find time. Whether you can concentrate on studying in the summer will have a major impact on your exam results.
Summary
Practicing past exam questions during the summer vacation is the most important step in turning your basic skills into practical skills and identifying your weak points. If you're still unsure whether it's too early, try working through at least one year's worth of questions first. Working through many past exam questions will improve your analytical skills and speed up the process of overcoming your weaknesses. Another major benefit is that by working through past exam questions early, you can get a feel for the real thing during the summer.
The effort you put in this summer will directly affect your study efficiency from autumn onwards and your ultimate success. Be sure to practice past exam questions to build up your confidence and a sense of accomplishment.
News
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Article Author
Satoshi Akagawa
Online University Entrance Exam Prep School JADE
Since graduating from university, he has worked in the education industry, teaching entrance exams for junior high school, high school, and university. He has experience as a school principal, a new business division manager, and an executive officer. His strength is his ability to teach to each student individually, based on his many years of teaching experience.
