During the Exam: Strategies for Effective Time Use
On the day of the exam, your time management skills will be put to the test. Here’s how to manage the limited time you have during the AZ-900 exam:
- Understand the Exam Structure: Know how many questions you’ll face and the format of these questions. The AZ-900 typically contains around 40-60 questions, which may include multiple-choice, drag-and-drop, and case study formats.
- Budget Your Time: Allocate a certain number of minutes per question. For example, if you have 60 minutes to answer 60 questions, you should spend no more than one minute per question on average.
- Read Questions Carefully: Skim through the questions and options quickly but attentively. Misreading a question can cost you valuable time if you need to reread it and re-evaluate your answers.
- Answer Easy Questions First: Quickly identify and answer questions you’re confident about. This approach can build confidence and save time for more challenging questions.
- Mark and Move On: If a question is too difficult or time-consuming, mark it for review and move on. The Azure exam interface allows you to flag questions, enabling you to return to them later.
- Keep an Eye on the Clock: Regularly check the exam timer to ensure you’re on pace. Adjust your speed as needed, but don’t rush to the point of making careless mistakes.
- Plan Time for Review: Leave the last 10-15 minutes of your exam time to go back to flagged questions. Use this time to review your answers, particularly those you were unsure about.
- Handle Case Studies Wisely: If your exam includes case studies, they will typically come at the end. These require more reading and understanding of the scenario. Budget more time for these, and don’t let them disrupt your time management for the rest of the exam.
- Stay Calm and Focused: Anxiety can waste time, as it distracts and can lead to slower decision-making. Practice relaxation techniques like deep breathing to maintain your composure.
Time Management Techniques for Efficient Study
Here are some additional techniques that can help manage your study time effectively:
● Pomodoro Technique: Study for 25 minutes, then take a 5-minute break. This can help maintain focus and prevent burnout.
● Eisenhower Matrix: Prioritize your study tasks based on urgency and importance. Focus on important and urgent topics first, followed by important but not urgent content.
● Time Blocking: Dedicate specific blocks of time to study, and protect these from distractions and interruptions.
● Eliminate Time Wasters: Identify and mitigate activities that eat into your study time without providing value, like excessive social media use.
Long-Term Time Management
Finally, it’s important to think of time management not just as a technique for the exam but as a lifelong skill. The habits you build while preparing for the AZ-900 can serve you in your professional life as you tackle projects, meet deadlines, and continue your education.
In conclusion, time management for the AZ-900 exam is a multifaceted skill that involves planning and strategy both before and during the exam. By understanding your own learning pace, structuring your preparation time, employing efficient study techniques, and staying calm and focused during the exam itself, you can not only enhance your chances of success but also reduce stress and increase your overall efficiency. Remember, the time you invest in mastering time management is just as important as the time you invest in learning Azure itself.
