“Why would I be wound up? I’m either ready, or I’m not. Worrying about it right now ain’t gonna change a damn thing.” – Floyd Mayweather Jr. just before a fight, as recalled by Paul Levesque

This is a really great episode for anyone who wants to learn more about studying for high-stakes exams and test taking in general. 

And instead of me doing the interviewing, I had the honor to be interviewed by Jessica Veale, a talented and motivated PA student at Duke University. 

Jessica is the host of the wonderful podcast “The PA Process”.

In this interview, Jessica and I explore test-taking strategies—but not your ordinary test-taking strategies.

We talk about some common learning theories such as retrieval practice, the testing effect, and elaboration, and uncommon ones such as the illusion of knowing.

But where things get really good is in our discussion about:

* How to digest large amounts of information, especially in the health professions.* How studying failure can lead to greater success* Engaging in self-talk to increase your test score* Using the “I’m an average test taker” theory to answer the most difficult questions (one of my favorites)* How to learn from the famous boxer Floyd Mayweather to feel confident on exam day* And so much more

If you are a student of any kind or someone who has to take a high-stakes exam, I promise there is so much value for you in this episode. 

I encourage you to set some time aside, turn up the volume, and listen to this wonderful conversation with Duke University PA Student and host of The PA Process podcast, Jessica Veale.

AUDIO TRANSCRIPT

Jessica Veale:   Hi everyone. My name is Jessica Veale. I’m the creator of The PA Process. This podcast is dedicated to giving advice to pre-PA students, connecting with current PA students, and anything related to the PA profession as a whole. Thanks for tuning in today and let’s get started. Welcome everyone to season two episode two of The PA Process. On today’s episode, my special guest is Dr. Adam Rosh, an ER attending physician and the founder of the well-known question bank Rosh Review. He’s here today to share tips on test-taking preparation, strategies, and tactics. Welcome, Dr. Rosh.

Dr. Adam Rosh:   It’s great to be with you, Jessica. It’s really wonderful to be able to reach out and speak with all of the great PA students around the country.

Jessica:   Thank you. So Dr. Rosh, as a current PA student, I’m quite familiar with Rosh Review and all that it has to offer. But for my listeners who may be unfamiliar with it, can you explain it and what it is and what your motivation was for creating such a useful study tool?

Dr. Rosh:   Yeah, absolutely. I think most people who are in the health professions at some point in their career have taken a standardized test, certification exam at some point and have used a Qbank—a question bank. Rosh Review at its core, it’s a question bank. How that question bank is formulated and structured is very different, I’d say, than most types of question banks that people engage with. It’s not necessarily obvious on the surface.