Preparing for the National Association of State Contractors Licensing Agencies (NASCLA) exam can be a tall challenge, especially when balancing a busy schedule. Many folks looking to obtain their contractor’s license are full time employees. Whether you’re a contractor, project manager, or business owner, adding study time to your already packed agenda requires strategic planning and dedication. However, with organization, dedication, and consistency you can find the time to properly study for your NASCLA exam, and obtain your contractor’s license. Here’s how to efficiently manage your NASCLA exam preparation alongside a busy lifestyle.
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1. Create a Detailed Study Plan
A well-structured study plan is important for staying on track. Start by breaking down the exam syllabus into manageable sections. Our online course breaks down the exam into each book. This will allow you to focus on one book at a time before taking the practice exams. There are 23 books on the NASCLA exam, so breaking the study plan down will help you to take a more bite size approach.
Steps to Create an Effective Study Plan:
- Assess Your Current Knowledge: Identify which areas you are already familiar with and which need more attention.
- Understand How Many Questions Come from Each Book: It is important to understand the number of questions that come from each book. This will allow you to focus on more critical areas at a higher capacity. The NASCLA candidate information bulletin provides a question count for each section on the exam.
- Set Clear Goals: Define what you want to achieve each week. For instance, “complete 3 books of study materials” or “take two practice tests.”
- Allocate Time Slots: Dedicate specific hours of the day for study. Early mornings, lunch breaks, or evenings might work best, depending on your schedule.
- Track Your Progress: Set a goal of when you would like to be done with studying and begin taking exams. Setting a date for when you want to begin taking practice exams gives you something to work towards during your studying of each book.
2. Incorporate Short Study Sessions
Long study sessions can be overwhelming and impractical. Instead, opt for shorter, focused sessions that fit into your daily routine. While the 330-minute practice exams should be taken in one sitting. It is possible to complete one of our course sections in as little as 15 minutes.
How to Implement Short Study Sessions:
- Use Flashcards: Create flashcards with key concepts and review them during short breaks.
- Practice Questions: Tackle a few practice questions whenever you have a spare moment.
3. Leverage Downtime
Identify and utilize pockets of downtime throughout your day. Perhaps there is a park or café that you can go to during lunch break to complete a section of your NASCLA course.
Tips to Maximize Downtime:
- Read on the Go: Carry study materials to review on the go.
4. Prioritize Tasks
Balancing exam preparation with professional and personal responsibilities requires prioritizing tasks. Determine which activities are critical and which can be postponed or delegated.
Strategies to Prioritize Effectively:
- Daily To-Do Lists: Create a daily list of tasks. Writing out the book or section that you will study will help you to prioritize that and set time aside.
- Time Blocking: Allocate chunks of time for specific tasks and avoid multitasking.
5. Stay Consistent and Flexible
Consistency is key to effective exam preparation, but so is flexibility. Life is unpredictable, and your schedule may require adjustments. The ability to adapt without compromising your study goals is crucial. If there are changes to your schedule it is important to have the ability to reschedule study time. As long as you are consistently reviewing the material and taking practice quizzes and exams, you are moving in the right direction. Our course is also designed to cut down your study time significantly.
Maintaining Consistency and Flexibility:
- Set Routine: Establish a regular study routine but be ready to tweak it as needed.
- Weekly Reviews: Review and adjust your study plan weekly based on your progress and upcoming commitments.
- Stay Positive: Accept that some days will be more productive than others. Focus on your overall progress rather than daily fluctuations.
6. Take Advantage of Mornings
The morning time is a great time to study for the NASCLA exam. Waking up 30-minutes earlier to review course material may just be the additional time that you need to pass the exam on the first attempt. This will also give you a boost of confidence and accomplishment as you start your day.
- Morning Routine: Using the morning time to study for the NASCLA before work will give you a sense of accomplishment. This will also give you more undistracted study time.
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7. Practice Self-Care
Balancing a busy schedule with exam prep can lead to burnout if not managed properly. Prioritize your well-being to ensure you have the energy and focus needed for both studying and daily responsibilities.
Self-Care Tips:
- Sleep: Ensure adequate rest to maintain cognitive function.
- Nutrition: Eat balanced meals to fuel your body and mind.
- Exercise: Incorporate physical activity to relieve stress and boost concentration.
8. Use Quality Study Materials
Selecting the right study resources can significantly impact your preparation efficiency. Use study guides, practice exams, and reference materials that are well-reviewed and align with the NASCLA exam structure. Our course offers tutorial videos, study guides, practice quizzes, and timed practice exams to help you prepare. We also offer a package for 2 practice exams if you are already well equipped for the exam, but would like additional practice.
Choosing Effective Study Materials:
- Online Courses: Enroll in reputable online courses that offer structured learning and practice tests. Online courses can greatly reduce the amount of study time.
- Practice Exams: Taking quality timed practice exams can give you an understanding of where you are at from a preparation standpoint, as well as, getting you to the right place.
Conclusion
Balancing NASCLA exam prep with a busy schedule is undoubtedly challenging, but with the right strategies, it is achievable. Create a realistic study plan, leverage short sessions and downtime, prioritize tasks, and maintain consistency while staying flexible. Remember to practice self-care to keep yourself motivated and focused. With these strategies, you’ll be well on your way to conquering the NASCLA exam and advancing your career.