[DMV18]

Did anyone feel burned out few days before the exam?

I studied for couple of months (160 hours), plus worked, and few days before the exam, I felt stressed out, very emotional, tense.

I was unable to study so I just tried to relax few days before the exam, and when I went to take it, I could not focus, could not think, felt very tired, emotionally and physically…could not take the exam.

I was trying to pass FAR this time, and I was ready for it, felt very good about it but at the end I did not even take the exam, plus Prometric service was horrible, my accommodations were not there, and it is always the same problem, when I go to Prometric the worse service ever.

1- Did anyone feel burned out just few days before the exam? how did you handle it?
2- How do you avoid getting burned out before the exam? and how do you handle stress while studying and working?
3- What can I do next time to handle stress and avoid burning out before an exam, especially that I still have a long way to go?

Usually I work out, but for the last five months I did not, I have been very busy, and may be that contributed to building up stress? Any suggestions, any tips, before the next exam.

[Chris]

Burnout is certainly an issue I have experienced with each test I have taken. I think the best thing you can do is try to be in tune with your feelings along the way and manage those stressors. WAY EASIER SAID THAN DONE, because taking a day off always makes me feel like it will be the reason I fail. I think if you are having a particularly tough day and feeling burnt out, reviewing notes is a great alternative that is not a mentally demanding as answering questions or reading full sections of the text. Flash cards are also a great “low impact study method”.

1. I have felt burned out. I have pushed through for a few days and always take a practice test the day before my test at the same time I will be taking the next day. If you are required to wear a mask for your test, study with a mask so it is not something that impairs you on test day. By taking the 24 hours prior to the test off, and getting decent (stress dreams!) sleep has proven beneficial. I am not a big gym person but I try to walk 3 miles a day. After a late night of studying I love taking my dog for a long walk around the neighborhood to help clear my head and decompress before bed.
2. I don't think it is possible to fully avoid burnout, but in an ideal world, it doesn't set in too close to test day. if a week+ out from your test, a day off can do wonders. If you are a gym goer, don't take it away from yourself. It is a great way to steal an hour away from work and studying. You can also always do the flash cards or reading while doing cardio to be productive while also caring for yourself.
3. I think my above comments address this question as well. maintain as close to a semblance of normalacy as possible. I had to give up watching live sports in the evening to focus on studying and I found that watching the highlight package that night or the next morning was a decent substitute (and only takes 10 mins instead of 2.5 hours).

When studying, don't be afraid to take 5-10 minute break to regroup and refresh.

[Ninja Albert]

Hi All

Yes this is something that can happen to many but the best way to avoid the burn out is to take breaks, I don't really think you got burned out 5 days prior exam it could have been being nervous or anxious that caused you not concentrate as much as you did before hand.

Also taking the material one topic at a time before you know it you will get through the topics quickly and efficiently, if you think about going through all the material at once then you will forsake get overwhelmed (happened to me) so taking it one topic at time will help you ending up going through all the material.

Review a topic and do like 5 MCQ to make sure you can apply the facts/material and move on because 5 days before exam day all you need is to reinforce all the material you learnt.

Good luck

[CaroP]

Hi DMV18, hope you were able to take a break during you studying! After the exam, did you go straight into studying for the next one or did you give yourself a few days to relax? I am taking my first exam soon and planning ahead as to the best way to begin studying for the next one. Not sure if I should wait for the results before deciding to study for the next one as well.

[Author]

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