I actually agree with you Spirituality – ideally, we would all master and understand our chosen subjects, instead of knowing how to pass their respective tests.

That being said, I believe the initial point remains valid. If you revise 1 year before your exam, you might have enough time to master your subject. But, as is the case with most individuals, your time is limited – you really should focus on what you’ll be tested on, as opposed to trying to be an expert. If you do well in your exam, you will always have time to revisit certain topics and better understand them.

Unfortunately, I’ve seen too many brothers and sisters try master a subject within 3 months and end up not covering what they need to, but rather what interests them! At the end of the day, the exam is set by the examiner! Not ourselves.

We need to learn to separate exam revision from general learning.

Keeping that in mind, I somewhat disagree with point one, which recommends we narrow our focus primarily to what will be on the exam. I understand the rationale that we can get lost in details that won’t be tested or won’t even need.

However, the point of learning is ultimately to learn, not to pass exams. A too stringent focus primarily on exam prep may prevent one from actually learning and internalizing the material.

I grew up with this mentality…I was able to ace exams in childhood but as an adult I found that I remember little of what I learned…I am taking some courses again as an adult and its like I am taking them for the first time…and I am also enjoying them much more…and insha Allah benefiting much more as well.