Start Preparing for the Exam As Far Ahead of Time As You Can
Giving yourself as much time to prepare for the exam as you can help keep your stress level at a minimum. By planning ahead, you’ll have time to find a pre-planned study schedule or set your study schedule, do plenty of practice questions and practice exams, review all of the material you need to consider, get plenty of rest throughout the preparation process, and still maintain your sanity.
Start preparing early so you can keep time on your side and avoid having to cram in all of your preparation at the last minute. This happens more often than not when it comes to the patent bar exam. You want the clock to be working for you, not against you.
Shop Around for the Right Resources to Help You Pass Your Exam
You cannot go into your review process blind. You need to have a plan, and you should get your hands on the resources that will give you the best possible chance of passing the exam.
Try to find a pre-planned study schedule so you will not have to spend time reinventing the wheel right off the bat. Adjust it if necessary as you make your way through it, but your time is better spent learning substantive material and taking practice exams than putting together a study plan. Time is the most precious resource you have, so do whatever you can to avoid wasting any of it.
Find Friends or Professional Colleagues Who Have Taken the Same Exam and Talk to Them
Get some reassurance from the people you know and trust who have been through it before. They will be able to give you advice about what to do and what not to do, both in preparation for the exam and while you are taking the exam.
Odds are they had most—if not all—of the same concerns you have, and they will let you know that you have nothing to worry about as long as you stay the course and put in the work. Talking to them will allow you to stress less and focus more of your energy on preparing for the exam.
Get Some Exercise and Keep Yourself Physically Active
Physical activity is not only a great way to distract yourself from the stress your exam is causing you, but it is also a great way to stay physically healthy and keep an unexpected illness from derailing your preparation schedule.
This does not mean you have to go to the gym twice every day and do bicep curls during every commercial break while you are watching TV. Even if you just go outside and take a short walk once or twice each day, you will burn some calories, get some fresh air and have an opportunity to clear your head. Do it. You will not regret it.
Do Not Forget to Take Time for Yourself and Your Loved Ones
Even while you are preparing for a big exam, you cannot forget that you are still a human being. Interpersonal relationships do not stop being relevant—in fact, they arguably become even more critical. That’s because they keep you grounded and remind you there is more to life than preparing for and passing the exam you are about to take.
You still need your loved ones, and they still need you. Block out time in your schedule to spend with your family and friends. You will appreciate it, and so will they.