1. A general outline of How to Make a SMART study plan for the FMGE:
- You should always remember “Goal without a plan is a dream” students have a number of ideas about the study plans, but they are either unachievable or unrealistic.
- Success demands self-discipline, steady commitment, and a sense of humor, therefore construct your schedule so that you intersperse serious times with fun times.
Characteristics of SMART study plan for the FMGE:
S | Specific: Specific tasks/goals with priorities & deadlines. |
M | Measurable: Measurable performance to assess the improvement. |
A | Achievable: Achievable amount of content per the time frame. |
R | Revisions: Effective spaced revisions. |
T | Timing: Structured timing for all activities per day. |
Develop your personal schedule so that you can create a realistic study plan based on:
- Time of the day or night are you most alert?
- Your preference for large blocks of study time or hourly increments.
- How much sleep do you need?
- Duration of the breaks & the activities you seek when you take a break.
Task Batching/theming:
- Craft groups of to-dos together based on either the type of activity or by the energy level you have to get things done in less time.
- Times of day in which your energy level is high or low:
- Use your high energy hours to tackle difficult chapters.
- Use your low energy hours to tackle easy chapters.
Chunking:
- Break down a single task into actionable bitesize actions, reducing stress by making tasks more approachable.
2.Time management of the study plan:
How many hours/day should I study & how to choose them?
- Study duration/day: 10 hours to 14 hours (Be aware that only 2/3 of the total scheduled time shall be effectively utilized for preparing).
- Read/take notes, watch & discussion: 7- 9 hrs.
- Revision: 2-3 hrs.
- Practice tests: 3-4 hrs.
- The very important point to be emphasized: This schedule is not strict/rigid & should be modified according to your happy hours + convenience & high energy slots, however, you need to adhere to an organized study schedule from 9 m to 5 pm daily because this time frame is during which the FMGE will be conducted, therefore:
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- You need to practice to stay alert during this period.
- Do not break concentration for long during this period.
- Take only a short break from your desk during this period.
- Never take a nap during this period (you shall take a 1 hr nap between 5-7 pm).
- Take regular & guilt-free breaks: take protein-rich snacks (avoid sugars) & move around/stretch in order to warm up.
Suggested time table Time Activities 07.00 – 08.30 AM - Fresh up + Meditate/exercise & Breakfast
08.30 – 12.00 AM - Study (read/take notes, watch & discussion)
12.00 – 14.00 PM - Lunch & errands
14.00 – 18.00 PM - Study (read/take notes, watch & discussion)
18.00 – 19.30 PM - Exercise & dinner+/- nap
19.30 – 00.00 PM - Study (revision & practice tests)
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Should we sacrifice sleep during this period of preparation?
- Absolutely No. Minimum 7 hrs sleep /day is essential for the consolidation process of your memory.
Sleep research & Study Skills |
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Time management with Pomodoro Technique (six steps):
- Working in short bursts of time can help to improve your attention on a set task.
- This time management method developed by Francesco Cirillo in the late 1980s.
- One of the best ways to increase the quality of your work sessions and save yourself time in the long run.
- Regular breaks are taken, aiding assimilation.
- Steps:
- Decide on the task to be done.
- Set the Pomodoro timer (traditionally to 25 minutes)
- Work on the task.
- End the work when the timer rings and put a checkmark on a piece of paper.
- Take a short break (3–5 minutes), then go to step 2.
- After four Pomodoro, take a longer break (15–30 minutes).
- Reset your checkmark count to zero, then go to step.
- After task completion, any time remaining in the Pomodoro is devoted to over-learning.
3.Specific guidelines of the schedule (Customizable per individual)
- Each student is unique in his/her personality profile & learning style therefore study plans & schedules should be customized to suit your requirements based on time duration available, your subject proficiency & so on.
Duration of the preparation:
- The most crucial aspect of designing your schedule/plan.
- Duration depends on the month & year of the exam you are targeting.
- 5-6 months will be optimal for an effective study plan where you spend 3-4 months for completing the subjects & about 2 months for revisions with various test practice.
- Depending on the availability of the time before the exam you can customize a plan for yourself.
Subject proficiency (current level of knowledge in various subjects)
- The current level of knowledge in various subjects is the second most crucial aspect of designing your schedule or plan.
- The time you spend per subject for the reading & revision depends upon your basic knowledge of the particular subject.
- Strengths vs weaknesses: Appreciate your strengths, and identify your weaknesses, so you can fill up the gaps in your knowledge.
Which order should you choose subjects & topics to study?
- Bigger or Longer-term vs smaller or shorter-term memory subjects :
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- Study Bigger or longer-term memory subjects early.
- Study smaller or Shorter-term memory subjects late.
- The time you spend per subject depends upon:
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- Your basic knowledge in the subject (Cover weak areas first → go to your stronger areas→ returning at the end of your entire review to those subjects you once considered your weak areas).
- Tougher subjects/topics first → easier ones later.
- Plan to spend more time on those subjects that gave you trouble, and less time on your strong subjects.
- Highly yield subjects & topics should be given more importance.
4. Regular Revisions to improve recall:
- Revision is the key to recall (revise all the older topics in the last 1-2 months & try to avoid reading any new topics before).
- Full understanding and knowledge can grow deeper with persistence, routine, and practice.
- Revise all topics regularly (5 revisions will be optimal but minimum 3 revisions are essential).
5. Practice tests regularly & attempt mock tests:
- Practice tests regularly aid in the following:
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- Diagnose your competence (strengths and weaknesses) in the subjects & exam-taking skills for FMGE.
- To maximize your efficiency of learning (70/20/10 Model of Lombardo and Eichinger) during your FMGE preparation.
- To practice time management (speed) in FMGE.
- To improve accuracy & increase the confidence level in FMGE.
- To desensitize the exam anxiety (increase the familiarity with the online platform) in FMGE.
- Tests to be practiced:
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- Chapter-wise/subject wise/Module-wise practice tests.
- Previous years (FMGE MCQs + NBE MCQs) Question Papers: must practice on a regular basis (Read more about the Reasons to practice past papers).
- Attempt FMGE mock tests regularly to boost your confidence level, sharpen accuracy & aid in time management.
- The optimal number of mocks/week: 2 full-length FMGE mocks/week will be Optimal however a minimum of 1 full-length FMGE mocks/week will be required.
- What to start practicing the mocks? Start practicing mock exams as early as possible otherwise at least 6-8 weeks before your exam.