The Hardest Exam I Ever Took at MIT in Physics

My lightbulb moment in my approach to exams (esp. math & physics) was to realise that the practise problems given throughout the course were designed to give you practice in the concepts the lecturer wanted you to know - so I would study by making sure I understood the practice & assignment problems, only then would I do the past exams for at least the last 2-3 years.  The technique came through spectacularly in my last year of high school where there were two mid-terms (mid-year & trial HSC exams for Aussies in the 90's) before the final (HSC) exam.  I correctly assumed that the trial HCS physics exam would not cover the material already tested in the mid-year exam and focussed my studies on the newer material *completely ignoring* the previously tested concepts - I killed the trial HSC - topped the class!  There was also an electronics exam in fist year uni where my study notes completely matched up with the order & subject matter of the exam questions! This technique never failed me right through uni (pity it couldn't be applied to my HSC English exam though - failed that one!)