Sooner or later, just about everyone ends up taking an exam, whether for admission to an institution, for the civil service, or for a career. This situation often creates a lot of tension. However, there's nothing to be nervous about as long as you adopt a good work method. Here are some tips to help you prepare well.
Establish the way of working that suits you
You are the person who knows your own way of working best. Therefore, you must determine whether you need a few months or a short period of time to prepare. Depending on your level of autonomy, you can choose between preparing in a center, online, or even on your own. Before you begin, prepare your documentation. It is recommended to organize summary sheets. It would also be important to find people who have already taken the exam to give you a good idea of what to expect.
The preparation center
Using a preparation center is a very reliable way to give yourself every chance of success. You don't have to research the documentation yourself, and specialists save you valuable time by guiding and advising you on the exam you're preparing to take. School-based preparation is more demanding but ensures you cover all the material. You'll be able to do exercises and target the important aspects of the program that interests you. This type of preparation also allows you to be supported throughout the training. Exam centers will direct you to the most appropriate resources. Some prefer online training for greater flexibility. You can find paid training through the CNED (French National Center for Educational Planning). MOOCs also allow preparation on several topics. The government portal offers access to numerous educational resources, from courses to tutorials to interactive lessons.
Prepare alone
In many cases, it is possible to prepare for the competitive exams on your own. For example, if this is your second time taking the exam, you already have all the information you need to work on areas where you were weak. For category C courses, it is also not necessary to attend a training center. If you are preparing on your own, it is important to gather information from several sources. It is possible to obtain past papers and answers from previous exams. On the Studyrama website, you can find a lot of past paper data that will be of great help to you, such as the past papers for the Sésame des Grandes Écoles competition.
The organization of daily life
In the run-up to the exam, you need to organize your daily routine to make the most of your time. Make a list of tasks that you can't put off and that aren't related to the exam. Eliminate non-urgent tasks to free up time for your preparation.
