Subj : Re: How do you study for extra?
To   : Nigel Reed
From : Ron Kinney
Date : Fri Apr 05 2024 09:24 am

 > I am wanting to get my extra ham licence and just have a complete mental
 > roadblock when it comes to studying.

 > As with the other ham tests. The question is, why do I have to remember
 > complicated rules, formulas and equations. All the answers are need are
 > right  here in this study book. I can go online and look up any laws and
 > forumlas I  need. I'm not going to go up on a roof, construct an antenna and
 > then wonder  how can my lineraly polarized Yari antennas be used to produce
 > circular  polarization.

 > My brain wont take it because my brain knows it's all written down for me to
 > refer to when I need it.

 > How do you, or did you get over that hump?

I just saw this post, but still wanted to respond since I went through the
exact same problem. I got my general license in 2009 and attempted to study for
the extra class examine over half a dozen times for the next decade. I just
kept losing interest. In 2022, I finally got it. For me, the most important
part was motivation. I felt more motivated in 2022 than every to pass the test
than previous years. 

The way I did was just pure memorization. I went over the question pool three
times trying to memorize the correct answers. The first pass, I only retained
about 30%. I retained about 80% the second time. On the third pass, I managed
to get just about every question right. This took me about two weeks of
constantly studying and setting everything else aside. Talk about a cram and
jam. I was even at the gym running on the treadmill with the book open.

After the third pass, I just went in and took the test without even trying the
practice exam. I only missed one question. While this method worked for me, I
don't know if I can recommend it for everyone. Each person is different.

-KC0ZPS (Ron)

The Dawn of Demise BBS (tdod.org)
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