Exam Tips to Perform Under Pressure

High-stakes securities exams such as the SIE, Series 65, Series 79, or Series 24 can feel overwhelming. You’re tasked with mastering complex material while under intense pressure to perform at your best. Whether you’re balancing a demanding career or aiming to pass on your first try, the stakes are high.

For over 30 years, we’ve set the standard in high-performance training, helping hundreds of thousands of financial professionals excel in their life’s most critical moments, exams being one of them. Our expertise lies in transforming pressure into peak performance, giving you the tools and confidence to succeed on your exams and in your lives.

4 Tips for Exam Success

Tip 1: Manage Your Time with Time Blocks and Spaced Repetition

Break your study time into manageable blocks, focusing on one subject at a time. Use spaced repetition: reviewing material at increasing intervals to reinforce key concepts in your long-term memory. Research has shown this method is far more effective than cramming, helping you retain information without feeling overwhelmed.

Tip 2: Practice Relaxation and Mindfulness

Test anxiety is the number one enemy of exam performance. Combat stress with relaxation techniques like deep breathing or mindfulness. Taking short (5 minute) breaks every hour can help reset your mind and keep you calm and focused when it counts.

Tip 3: Use Active Recall and Prioritize Key Topics

Instead of passively reading material, try active recall. Every few paragraphs, test yourself on the material to strengthen your memory of it, and use tools like flashcards or practice tests to improve retention. Prioritize key topics based on their importance and your familiarity with them to ensure you’re studying smarter, not harder.

Tip 4: Simulate Real Exam Conditions

Take full-length practice exams to replicate real test conditions. This helps improve your pacing, reduce anxiety, and build confidence. Simulating the test environment helps train your brain to perform under pressure, making the real thing feel a lot less daunting.

How We Can Help

Our exam prep courses include everything you need to pass. From video lectures, flashcards, practice questions to assessments, and more, we make sure you are set up for success.

• Strategy Advising: Our Strategy Advising support offering provides accountability and structure to ensure your success. Your dedicated Faculty Advisor will create a bespoke study plan that balances your need to study with your work and life schedule.
• Tutoring: If you prefer more in-depth, one-on-one support, our weekly, one-on-one tutoring service offers personalized sessions with our expert Faculty. We’ll dive deep into the material, target areas where you need improvement, and provide actionable feedback to ensure you’re fully prepared. Reach out to our Customer Experience team to get started with tutoring today at support@knopman.com.

These services are all designed to work together, using proven techniques and expert support to guarantee that you’re ready to pass on the first try.

Bringing It All Together

Exams don’t have to be overwhelming. With the right strategies, support, and mindset, you can always excel under pressure. Our best-in-class exam prep provides the structure and expert guidance you need to stay focused, manage stress, and pass your exam on your first attempt.