There's a lot that goes into preparing for a test. You might feel prepared as far as the material goes, but you may be as nervous as you can be. I've known people who don't do their best because of nerves. That's a shame. If there was a way you could study to help you alleviate those nerves, would you do it?

Sure, if you have an issue with pre-test anxiety, you probably would try different study methods to help lessen those anxious feelings. Knowing your material as well as you think you ever could does a lot in lowering the anxiety level. It does wonders for your mental status. Believe me, I know.

I have taken lots of tests in my life--as an undergraduate in college, as a graduate student, and later in my professional career. My final exam for my master's degree in English literature was a comprehensive oral exam covering the history of the written language from Beowulf to present. Yes, the entire history of written literature. Talk about nervous! I didn't even have an undergraduate degree in English and thus had a lot of catching up to do.

I've taken licensing exams in social work and nursing home administration, the latter of which was one of the most challenging exams I've ever had to take. I was working full-time and studying at night. For about six months, I studied using the four-step method that I had come up with in graduate school.

I'll explain my four-step process: read, write, speak, and listen. Sound pretty basic? Well, it really is, but you have to follow every step. Using this method of studying will help you to mentally prepare yourself to take any exam.