Chapter 1 Studying Effectively
Low intellectual ability is the factor that will most hinder studies..
The specific study strategy listed in the Professional Development Guide (PDG) always produces the best results.
Success has more to do with good study skills than intellect.
Improving your reading skills has little impact on your day-to-day work.
Research ability
Education
Reading
Test-taking techniques
Vocalize
Carefully read one word at a time
Re-read passages
Adjust your reading speed according to the text's difficulty and you purpose for reading.
Think about key words, ideas or images so you picture what is happening.
Focus on columns or groups of words, letting your peripheral vision pick up the remaining words.
Usse your hand or another object as a pacing aid.
Cover material you've already read with an index card.
Skim
Survey
Simplify
Substantiate
What you already know about the topic
Composing questions you need to answer
Finding answers to the questions you composed
The main ideas, as well as identifying sections that you need to read more carefully
"What do I already know about the topic?"
"What is my purpose?"
"Which references should I study first?"
"What are the key points I need to cover?"
Search for questions you want to answer during the read step.
Immediately re-read the material thoroughly during the review step.
Recite important points silently or out loud to improve your concentration during the recall step.
Wait to summarize the information until you've finished reading each document during the recall step.
Practice concentrationg while distractions are present.
Use all your senses to learn actively.
Organize the information into larger groups.
Engage your short-term memory by reviewing several times, changing the order of the information
Avoid considering your ultimate goals.
Imagine the satisfaction of studying well.
Welcome distractions as mini-breaks from studying
Strive for perfection.
No more than 30 minutes
No more than 50 minutes
At least one to two hours
At least three hours
Prioritize, use a daily "To Do" list and avoid procrastination.
Work on your favorite task first.
Only reward yourself when you complete the entire study session.
Try to do all your studying at once rather than breaking it into chunks.
Home living ambience
Workplace environment
Classroom atmosphere
Dominant learning style
Any instrumental music
Baroque classical music
Gregoran chants
Your personal favorite songs
Early morning
Midday
Evening
Whenever you are most alert
Proper; improper
Suitable; unsuitable
Formal; informal
Official; unofficial
Mobility
Endurance
Stamina
Energy
Black print on white paper
Blue print on white paper
Black print on blue paper
White print on black paper
Specific, Motivating, Act, Review, and Today
Specific, Measurable, Action, Realistic and Timeline
Start, Motivating, Appropriate, Realistic and Timely
Scan, Measure, Act Review and Test
Specific
Measurable
Action
Realistic
"I will"
"I want"
"I try"
"I should"
Used by enlisted members as part of their study strategy.
Used by the Air Force Occupational Measurement Squadron (AFOMS) to revise and update the PDG.
Used by AFOMS to develop enlisted promotion tests
Generated by AB through CMSgts who volunteer to complete the survey electronically every two years.
5-point
7-point
9-point
11-point
Are provided to the PDG managers and the subject matter experts who write promotion tests.
Identify important information for the top two enlisted grades only.
Must be requested through the Freedom of Information Act
Identify needs emphasis starting with those with the lowest needs up to those with the highest.
The MKTS survey results
The active duty training extracts for each Air Force specialty code (AFSC) that guide development of Specialty Knowledge Tests (SKTs)
The electronic MKTS Survey and the opportunity to volunteer to complete it
Past promotion fitness exams (PFEs)
Wait!
Here's an interesting quiz for you.