[mikester]

I have a attempted a few different methods of studying for these sorts of tests (certification tests in my case; not military).

The first round of certifications I attained through reading, note taking and practicing as well as practice testing. The problem I find with practice tests the more advanced I get in a subject is that...well...sometimes they are just plain wrong. However with these methods I had the highest pass rate.

Recently I had simply been reading the material itself and then take practice tests. Well; that didn't work very well and my pass rate was low.

Now, working on a more advanced certification I have gone back to the old ways of reading the material, taking notes and practicing as well as practice testing. The key is not to remember the test for me as much as it is to simply KNOW the material. I even think it requires less effort; I don't study as hard but I study BETTER. I take some time for each subject to get to know it so that when I review I'm truely reviewing and not restudying.

Incidentally I recall my Dad trying to make E7 many times and failing by very few points each time. Repeated failures can really do some damage to a man. I don't know where his mistakes lay but I find it is best to get out and away from home and work distractions and go someplace where you can simply study. If there are kids at home or honey do lists you've simply got to get away from it. For me work is the place that I study best because I can practice it here. Most of the folks I work with work later hours so I come in early and have a few hours to study alone.

Best of luck man.

Don't study it - learn it, know it and it won't matter much how the wording is.