What should students prioritize during their final review before an exam?

Prioritizing major concepts, problem areas, and key topics during a final review before an exam is essential because it allows students to concentrate their efforts on the most critical aspects of the material they are expected to understand. By focusing on key concepts, students can reinforce their understanding of the foundational ideas that underpin the subject and are most likely to appear on the exam. Additionally, identifying and revisiting problem areas enables students to address any gaps in their understanding, promoting confidence and readiness as they approach the exam.

This strategy maximizes the effectiveness of review time, ensuring that students not only recall important information but also gain a deeper comprehension of the course content. It sets a solid foundation for problem-solving and application of knowledge under exam conditions, which can significantly influence performance. In contrast, reviewing past exams and assignments, practicing time management, or looking over notes may be complementary activities, but they do not have the same level of targeted focus that consolidating major concepts provides.