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Author Topic: General study question  (Read 361 times)

KA4NYW

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General study question
« on: May 31, 2020, 05:08:03 AM »

I'm testing for Tech next Saturday.  I feel pretty good about that.

I know I get to try the General for free if I want.

I've been looking at some of the questions and there's tons of band questions and such. 

I'm using a couple of the study sites. 

Does anyone have any tips or advice for studying the General in a weeks time?  😅😅 I know I'm asking a lot. 
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KO4BRD

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Re: General study question
« Reply #1 on: May 31, 2020, 08:48:29 AM »

I had a similar situation, but with even less time.  At Hamcation 2020 I took and passed by Technician on Feb. 7, 2020.  After being told I could also take the General, I decided to study for a day and give it a try.  I came back the next day to take the General and I passed with 97%.  The two resources I used that night to study were the  "Ham Test Prep" app for my IPhone (they have a version for Android too), and a 10 part YouTube video course by Jim Heath, W6LG.  Here is a link to the Part 1 video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ks9ASoeCcWU

I spent much of the evening and the next morning before taking my General test taking practice tests and watching Jim's videos.  As I said, I was able to pass, missing only one question.  I'm currently studying for my Advanced/Extra and the absolute BEST resource I have found is HamTest Online.  Here is a link:

https://www.hamradiolicenseexam.com/

Knowing what I know now, If I only had a to study week I'd still subscribe to HamTest Online and I'd grab the "Ham Test Prep" app.  Like many people have said here, HamTest Online is the very best resource for passing the exams.  They guarantee you'll pass, and they have some great study tips for someone who has very limited time.  I sit for my Advanced/Extra test on Wednesday, having studied with HTO for about 3 weeks.  I'm scoring consistently 98% after just 21 hours of study time.  Good luck and I look forward to a future ragchew! 

73's
Richard
KO4BRD
   


 
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AJ6KC

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Re: General study question
« Reply #2 on: May 31, 2020, 09:51:38 AM »

I passed all three exams in one sitting, between YouTube and online practice tests/free apps,  I spent a total of $15 getting my Ham Licenses.

That being said if I where in your situation here’s what I would do: print out the general question bank, take a highlighter and read each question and highlight the correct answer. From now on only look at the correct answers.

Now, Take a Technician practice exam followed by a General practice exam. Do this because that’s what you will do on test day. However, while taking the General exam “no guessing” only answer if you know the answer immediately, skip the ones you don’t know. Get your highlighted General Test bank and cross out the questions you got right without guessing, you don’t need to review those anymore. Review the ones you didn’t answer. (Guessing is only for test day!)

Read the through the highlighted General test bank again, take both practice exams again. Repeat the process, after awhile you’ll start recognizing more correct answers. There are some tricks involving certain topics like math where the test may only include one or two from those areas so skipping them all may not hurt your chances. But you don’t have much time so just brute force it as described above.

(I fully recognized that when I got my Amateur Extra as my first license, that I now had a very huge knowledge gulf between my license class and my ability as a good operator. I’ve been learning like a madman mostly operating in the Technician bands as I learn how to be a “good operator” I can recognize 43 Morse characters now but still trying to copy better and then I’ll start to practice tx cw.)
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WA9AFM

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Re: General study question
« Reply #3 on: May 31, 2020, 01:42:43 PM »

I coordinate and team teach the Technician license course for my amateur radio club.  I would recommend you prepare the old fashion way, study the material.  The ARRL license manuals present the material in an orderly fashion.  The CD that comes with the manual will generate practice exams.  The W5YI series is also a good preparation method. 

Yes, there are some excellent online practice exams which help you get through the 'exam anxiety'.  Just doing a 'ham slam' (teaching/learning the test) means you will know the right answer to the question, but not why it's the right answer and why the other responses are incorrect.

Even better, find a local club offering a class for General/Extra.  You'll have mentors who can answer your questions and provide instant feedback on the material during the course.

Good luck on your Tech exam!!

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K4NWD

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Re: General study question
« Reply #4 on: May 31, 2020, 04:00:48 PM »

Let's not forget the online tests available right here on eham.net. Those are the only practice tests I used for each level, and went from no license to Amateur Extra in two months. I used the ARRL test prep books and question pool books, did what was suggested here, that is highlight and read ONLY the correct answers in the test pool book. Read the question and ONLY the correct answer so that your brain associates only that answer with the question. Took the Technician and General class tests on the same day, January 4, 2020, passed both easily (97 and 100% respectively), then took the Amateur Extra test on March 7 and passed, not as easily (80%) but passed.

Good luck
73, Ken KO4AXN
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KA4GFY

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Re: General study question
« Reply #5 on: June 01, 2020, 12:48:53 PM »

I agree 100% with WA9AFM’s comments.  I also coordinate and team teach our club’s licensing classes, as well as head up the VE team.  You are far better off leaning the material with a textbook such as ARRL or Gordon West’s books.  If you know the material, it won’t matter what the question is because you will know the material.  It is good to review the questions as you go through the material, but don't make that your sole study regime.

The online test sites are good for gauging where you are and many will help you with what subject areas you need help in.  They do serve a purpose.  I do not recommend them as the sole study resource.  If there is a local licensing class available, take it.

Our club’s philosophy is to teach the material.  Our pass is nearly 100% of our students and the average score is over 90%.  We had only a couple of students who fell flat on their faces in 25+ years.  Both students didn’t come to class.

I’ll add to WA9AFM’s comments.  If you have not already done so, join the local radio club that meets at least monthly.  The local club will give a place to ask all those questions you will have about ham radio.  We have all been there. 

Good luck on your exam.

Rich, KA4GFY 
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KA4NYW

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Re: General study question
« Reply #6 on: June 02, 2020, 03:29:41 PM »

Thanks gang ... I have been watching W4EEY's series of tech/general videos as well as using two of the online exam apps/sites.  Feeling good about tech, we'll see about general. 

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AJ6OZ

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Re: General study question
« Reply #7 on: June 30, 2020, 07:30:17 AM »

Hello,
I started preperation for Technican/General/Amateur-Extra on May 19th and passed all three exams on June 13th without any problems.
I trained hard with "hamstudy-org" and performed the test-exams of every class more than 120 times... but it was well spend time!
Good luck for your exams!
Guido
AJ6OZ
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AJ6KC

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Re: General study question
« Reply #8 on: July 05, 2020, 06:24:21 PM »

Thanks gang ... I have been watching W4EEY's series of tech/general videos as well as using two of the online exam apps/sites.  Feeling good about tech, we'll see about general.

Just curious, did you attempt the General?

BTW: Treadmill + W4EEY was my formula for success. 30 minutes each day. I lost 20 pounds studying for my license.
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