Ah, exam time is almost here again. The good news is that since last year, UCLA has inflated its grade curve to increase the A's, decrease the C's, and center the whole distribution around a B+ rather than B. Meaning, I will either get a grade boost for working the same amount, or keep the same grades while working less.

Given the preparation I've mustered so far, it's likely to be the latter. This is what I learned last semester about exam prep. For three classes, I had this "great" outline system and did a ton of sample exams. I got average grades on those exams. For the one class I hated, where I had a crap outline, did 1.5 sample exams and left an hour early, I graded the best.

This either proves a) something or b) nothing.

Actually, I do think I made a mistake last semester, which maybe I can help someone else avoid. When I made my outlines I was trying to get everything summarized in a neat format. I wasn't actually learning the material any better. So this time, my rule is: nothing goes into the outline until I'm convinced I get it. Having the material well-summarized, but just as inscrutable, is not useful.

And this time, I promise to leave all my exams 2 HOURS early, which should launch me into the A++ zone.

29 Nov 05