PREPARING FOR THE EXAM
1. Make a study schedule. Assign yourself a period of time each day to devote to preparation for your exam. A regular time is best, but the important thing is daily study.
2. Study alone. You will concentrate better when you work by yourself. Keep a list of questions you find puzzling and points you are unsure of to talk over with a friend who is preparing for the same exam. Plan to exchange ideas at a joint review session just before the test.
3. Eliminate distractions. Choose a quiet, well-lit spot as far as possible from telephone, television, and family activities. Try to arrange not to be interrupted.
4. Begin at the beginning. Read. Underline points that you consider significant. Make marginal notes. Flag the pages that you think are especially important with little Post-it™ Notes.
5. Concentrate on the information and instruction chapters. Study the Code Definitions, the Glossary of air-conditioning and refrigeration terms, and the Decoding Words of equipment and usage. Learn the language of the field. Focus on the technique of eliminating wrong answers. This information is important to answering all multiple-choice questions.
6. Answer the practice questions chapter by chapter. Take note of your weaknesses; use all available textbooks to brush up.
7. Try the previous exams if available. When you believe that you are well prepared, move on to these exams. If possible, answer an entire exam in one sitting. If you must divide your time, divide it into no more than two sessions per exam.
• When you do take the practice exams, treat them with respect. Consider each as a dress rehearsal for the real thing. Time yourself accurately, and do not peek at the correct answers.
• Remember, you are taking these for practice; they will not be scored; they do not count.
So learn from them.
IMPORTANT: Do not memorize questions and answers. Any question that has been released will not be used again. You may run into questions that are very similar, but you will not be tested with the original ones. The included questions will give you good practice, but they will not be the same as any of the questions on your exam.