I've been busy studying using my materials from PsychPrep, including their online tests. I have been tracking my progress over time, and I am already surprised at how many improvements I have made. Since I have only gotten through 4 sections of study materials, I don't believe this is because I know more content. I believe it's because I know how to answer test questions better. Here are some of the common errors I noticed I was making at the beginning, but have remedied over time with continued practice.
1. Read the ENTIRE question and ALL of the answers. So many times, I think when we think we know what the question is asking, and we miss some key words. Same deal with the possible answers - I read one that sounded good and kind of ignored the rest. Now, when I look at answers, I try to figure out how the question would have to be reworded to make this answer correct, or what concepts the distractor items are referring to that make them incorrect.
2. Carefully read the EXACT wording of the questions. I got burned sooo many times initially because I did not read into the importance of a single word. From undergrad, we might have remembered those terms as "always" or "never", but now you have to look even harder at the one word that could potentially be the difference between the right and wrong answer. At times I feel like the people who write these exam questions enjoy finding little ways to throw you off course.
3. Use common sense. In reading a question which concepts are a completely mystery to you (which I am sure will happen to anyone taking the EPPP), take some time to think and remember what you even remotely know about this particular subject, and what common sense would tell you from what you know. While this is no guarantee, it's better than guessing blindly.
4. With ethics questions, I visualize myself in the potential dilemma and I answer what I would instinctively do in that situation. Ethics are about avoiding those "icky" situations we don't want to find ourselves in, and most of us have a pretty good conscience. Again, it's no absolute winning strategy, but I find when I trust my judgment and experiences as a clinician already, I pick the correct answer most of the time. Especially with ethics questions, the situation presented to you will not likely match up with any ethics standard you would find in the APA ethics code.
5. Read and master explanations when you get questions wrong. Hopefully, this should be obvious, but I think the MASTERY part is key. Take the time after you answer the question to read it through until it seems clear and you could explain it in your own words to someone not in psychology.
Overall, I do agree with most that the practice exams are invaluable tools in teaching you HOW to take the EPPP. While the content is equally important, we all know that some people are better test takers than others due to those particular skills.
Got a study strategy you would like to add? Comment below!
