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dejected
07-18-2006, 12:45 PM
I just failed FM again (2nd try), so obviously I am doing something wrong. I think maybe I do not allow enough time for studying? For a two hour exam I have read that 200 hours is right, so that is what I have been doing. This time I would like to study for 250 hours this time to make sure that I pass. Does this seem reasonable?

I would like design a study schedule that fits in enough hours but still leaves some free time in my life. I am worried that if I schedule too much study time with not enough time to take care of personal things (like cleaning the house, grocery shopping, exercise, etc) then I will not follow the plan. Once I fall behind I get stressed out and my studying becomes less efficient. I don't get study time at work, but I *might* be able to work more flexible hours (ie four longer days and one shorter day).

What do you find works best for you - more frequent shorter study periods or longer but less frequent blocks? Setting a specific amount of material to cover, or a certain amount of time to study?

How far before the exam do you plan to finish covering all of the material to start reviewing topics? How many practice exams do you do, and how far in advance do you start practice exams? I have Kellison and find it to be a good resource so I am going to start by re-reading Kellison. Then I would like to work through a study guide - I think I will choose BPP, but I also have older versions of ASM (2nd ed I believe) and Temple from 2005. I sold my Actex manual after the first attempt because I didn't like it. I find the ASM manual difficult and I don't think it helped me although I do like the problems. Temple felt a bit disorganised but perhaps the newer versions are better. I don't mind spending money on a good manual but I just have this one last chance (before they change the system) and want to get it right. I am going to buy new instead of buying used copies from someone on here, I think, to make sure I get the most current thing.

Thank you for any advice you have - everyone here is so helpful.

stbaugh13
07-18-2006, 12:48 PM
What was your score.

dejected
07-18-2006, 12:52 PM
What was your score.

I got a 5 in Fall 2005 and a 1 in Spring 2006 (even though I felt really good about it!).

HenryGale
07-18-2006, 01:00 PM
I got a 5 in Fall 2005 and a 1 in Spring 2006 (even though I felt really good about it!).
I am guessing most likely you filled the wrong row of answers or everything got one column off, or something like that... don't feel too bad, just be more careful next time

dejected
07-18-2006, 01:04 PM
I am guessing most likely you filled the wrong row of answers or everything got one column off, or something like that... don't feel too bad, just be more careful next time

That would be a nice explanation but I don't remember anything like that when I compared to the PAK - I had a wrong question here and there but not a whole patch of wrong ones.

Although maybe - what is the layout of the score sheet?

mallkins
07-18-2006, 01:46 PM
That would be a nice explanation but I don't remember anything like that when I compared to the PAK - I had a wrong question here and there but not a whole patch of wrong ones.

Although maybe - what is the layout of the score sheet?
What can sometimes happen when filling in a bubble sheet is that you miss a question half way through and then just carry on filling in the rest of the sheet one off.

I am, at present, a teacher, and have seen this done many times. One question throws the test taker off. They say they will come back to it, carry on filling the rest in one off, and often do not realize the mistake.