I don't know why your packet wasn't complete, but next time, maybe, pay attention? Or do it? lol I dunno what the exact scenario is but I would definitely suggest completing work on time. Just tell yourself, Look, I need to study this. I can't afford to get distracted or my parents will rip my head off. Once this thing is done and over with I'm set.
So, once you have that mind setting, and it's locked. Minimize distractions, like everyone said. Avoid a place that you know will lead you to do something different (I personally can't study in a cluttered room because I have the inclination to clean).
Try to study at the same time every day. Bodies like working on schedule, regardless if it be in reference to food and nutrition or study time. We just like being able to expect things - then our body adapts to it. Basically, get a steady study routine and don't let other things (save for emergencies, etc.) get in the way of those. Tell your friends, if they are one of your distractions, that you are busy, and to avoid calling at that time unless, again, they are in an emergency. Any fool who chooses to do so, you should warn that that you will blame them for failing your exam, and that they now owe you the appropriate amount that the exam costs.
Anywho, avoid studying the **** that you already know. There's no point. Jump to things you don't understand. If there are too many things you don't understand, hit up the ones that comprise a larger proportion in the exam. For example, when it came to studying for the AP Government exam, most of that **** was about the branches of government. So I mostly studied that ****, and when I was confident enough about most of that information, I proceeded to another subject.
Flashcards help, but only for vocabulary. Application is key to language, in my opinion. If you can find someone to practice the language with you, call 'em up. Run through reviews or something.
Avoid music and settings that are not similar to your testing setting. For example, if your instructor doesn't have you listen to music while you're testing, don't listen to music while you're studying.
Have bright lighting. Don't procrastinate, and study in spurts over time. If you have to cram, again, stress on the things that weigh the most or are most abundant in the exam. Get help AS SOON AS YOU KNOW YOU DON'T KNOW WTF THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT. Not later. It might snowball. That's what Calculus taught me.
I think i've covered some basic stuff. Personally, when I wrote things over and over and over.. and over again, in a string of words that were relevant, that also helped. I don't know if the same will apply to language. I don't even remember ever studying for my language (I had a slack foreign language teacher).
So, I'm not sure if this will help. But this stuff worked for me, and I ended up being Val at my school. So. Maybe it'll work for you too.
Of course, there is the idea of pulling all nighters (or close enough to them) in order to cram everything in your head. When I do that, I normally end up being pumped for the exam, then passing out afterwards (oh, and does it feel good and rewarding).
Have confidence in your ability, especially if you know you studied your hardest.
If worse comes to worse, and you feel as though you seriously didn't understand what in the world was on the exam, don't flip. There's no point unless extra credit is offered. The damage is done. lol.
Hope this helps. Hope your exam went well!
