Tag Archive for: Test Prep

How Many Ways Are There to Prep for Tests?

test prep like a tortoise

Everyone has their own unique style when it comes to getting information into their noggin’. Test prep can take many shapes and forms, and what works for one person might not work for another.

Prepping for a board exam can be incredibly stressful. The weight of your career decisions rests on the outcome! (No pressure, right?) To cope with this stress, test prepping can manifest as several different approaches: the WINGER, the PROCRASTINATOR (aka, CRAMMER), and the TORTOISE.

The Winger

The Winger is the person that lets go of the immediate stress the exam is putting on them, and puts it out of their mind. They know it’s coming up, but they have confidence in the amount of information they have stored in their brains. The have an uncanny ability to refresh the knowledge and consolidate retrieval just by existing….or so they think. These test takers waltz into their exams and take a gamble that they will have all the answers (or at least enough to pass!). Depending on the type of test you’re going to take, being a Winger can work OK. Think 100 level undergrad classes. ABPN, PRITE, NP, or USMLE? This might not be the best approach.

The Procrastinator

The Procrastinator (aka, Crammer) is similar to the Winger. They also put off prepping for as long as possible. But while the Winger tends to follow through on their approach, the Procrastinator usually gets MORE stressed by avoiding it, and ends up cramming as much studying in as possible in the last day or so leading up to the exam. Cramming can be beneficial when compared to not prepping at all, and for some individuals, cramming is their sole means of test prep. Can it work? Probably. Is it great for your mental health? Not really.

The Tortoise

Lastly, we have the Tortoise. This name harkens back to Aesop’s Fables, as it should, because this test prepper takes the slow and steady approach. Plunking along, little by little every day, this prepper integrates new bits of information into their mental arsenal. They challenge the knowledge they already have to increase retrieval. The process starts closer to a few months ahead of time, as opposed to overwhelming themselves with whole textbooks 48 hours before their next exam. Instead, they have time to relax and take in some self-care in the days leading up to the exam so that they are refreshed and ready to go.

Is any one of these approaches superior? Research would suggest there is favorable option- we’ll let you decide which one you think it is 😉 In the meantime, if you’ve been relying on being a Winger or a Crammer up to this point, let this blog be your sign to give the Turtle Club (yes, that’s an early 2000’s movie reference) a chance. Give our question banks a try- FREE- using our Free Trial! Or if you’re ready to take the plunge, check out our Question Banks and find the perfect fit for you! Or, contact us with any questions you have so we can help you prep in the best way for you.

Online Psychiatric Exam Prep and Tutoring: AVAILABLE NOW

Get ahead this school year with some extra help tailored to your exam needs.⁠

We offer test preparation and tutoring services for the ABPNPRITEUSMLE, and Nurse Practitioner Exams. You can gain access to topics such as:⁠

• Anxiety Disorders⁠

• Bipolar Disorders⁠

• Neurocognitive Disorders⁠

• Personality Disorders⁠

• Neurology⁠

• Psychopharmacology⁠

 & Much more!

So what’s all the fanfare about our exam prep?

Our approach offers access to unique questions and courses that prepare medical students and residents for their certifying exams. With our variety of test modes, multiple-choice questions, and vignettes you’ll finish our sessions feeling more comfortable and confident on your road to the exams!⁠

This program offers access to unique courses and question banks to prepare residents and medical students for their certifying exams. Each question is specifically tailored to the required difficulty and type of questions expected for their respective examination. New questions are continually being added to the question banks, ensuring the most current and up-to-date information is being made available. Individualized tutoring is offered to maximize user support; we meet with you to discuss your studying strategies, identify your goals, and target the area of study in which you need the most improvement. Finally, a tailored study plan is created to help you achieve your goals!⁠

Who is My Psych Board?

Prepare to pass your board exams with ease! My Psych Board offers access to four question banks, each uniquely tailored to the studying needs of those preparing to take the ABPN Certification Examination, PRITE Examination, USMLE – Psychiatry and Neurology categories, and Nurse Practitioner Examination.

Within our customer service, we strive to provide you with the tools necessary to overcome any of your questions and obstacles that may get in your way. From general information, tutor calls, and just being someone to talk you through the challenging times of taking your board exams; we’re here for you!

For more information or to get started, please call (216) 293-0282, email admin1@westlakebrainhealth.com, or head to our contact page here

How To: Create the PERFECT Morning Routine to maximize your success!

Image shows a man with brown hair running through a beautiful forest and mountain rage. The image is "How To: Create the PERFECT Morning Routine to maximize your success!"

Starting off the week on the right foot can completely change how your week plays out! ⁠

This is a KEY part in helping you pass your boards. If you wake up, rush around, and fill your morning with stress it’s most likely that your day will be filled with stress. It can feel like a marathon if you just wake up and jump into the day. That will then hurt your odds of having a successful study session. ⁠

Studies from @Forbes show that waking up earlier than usual has incredible health benefits. They state it gives you ample time to focus on your goals and conquer the day with more energy, mindfulness, and strength.⁠

✨ Here are some helpful tips we’ve complied after doing some additional research!⁠

• Let’s start with the obvious..get a good night’s sleep…you need to be RESTED for your brain to function properly. ⁠
• Avoid the snooze button!⁠
• Instead of snoozing, wake up a few minutes earlier and give yourself enough time to wake up. You can Lay in bed for a few minutes and ease out of bed.⁠
• Write down your thoughts! This could be a to do list for the day, or just general thoughts. Talking about your stressors on paper can also help relieve them.⁠
• Eat something, your brain needs nutrition. Even if it’s something small!⁠
• Do something you enjoy, this could be working out, going for a quick walk, reading a book and so on!⁠
• Drink a full cup of glass of water before you leave the house (or start working/school if you do it remotely from home). ⁠
• Don’t rush! Give yourself enough time. If you know you have to leave by a certain time try and be ready 10-15 minutes before that and make sure you have everything you need.⁠


Did you know we offer a FREE trial for our question banks? Just head over to our website (exams.mypsychboard.com) to get started today risk-free (with no Credit Card required!)

Feeling like you need a bit of extra help?

Contact us OR sign up for our tutoring!