How to study for the entrance exam alone?

Education / Date: 06-23-2025

Even if you don't have the support of a school or course, there are still several tips to help you prepare for the entrance exam. Studying alone can be more difficult, but just think: with the internet, we are never completely without support . It's all about knowing how and where to start.

That’s why we’ve put together 7 tips to help you build this map — considering that you already know where you want to go and have already set up your study schedule. Check it out!

1. Read the entrance exam announcement

Reading the notice is always essential , especially if you are studying alone. After all, you won't have other people telling you what the test usually requires, what the rules are to avoid being disqualified, how registration works, etc.

The notice is the only place that contains all the details about the entrance exam of your choice. So always start with it — or the most recent version of it — and read it carefully, highlighting key points, such as:

Timeline: When does registration start? When can you request an exemption? When will the exams be? And when will the results be released? All this information will be on the calendar or schedule.
Program content: Determines which disciplines will be required and, within them, which subjects will be covered.
Rules to avoid being disqualified: They explain what you can and, more importantly, cannot do during the selection process and tests.
Specific rules: Candidates who wish to request exemption from the application fee, use a social name, have special needs, etc. are covered by specific rules in the notice.

2. Identify your strengths and weaknesses

After researching what is usually included in the entrance exam of your choice, it is time to identify which subjects you know well and which ones you still need to study a lot. This step will help you create a study schedule that is more assertive and focused on your needs .

One of the benefits of studying alone is that you don’t have to adapt to other people’s needs and schedules . Instead, you can think of strategies to reinforce what you need to learn better and only practice what you already know well.

3. Explore different study techniques

You may not know it, but you don't need just one booklet of content. Different people learn in different ways , and finding out which study methodologies work best for you makes all the difference. Here are some examples:

Study sheets : Also known as flashcards , study sheets are small sheets of paper where you write questions on the front and answers on the back. To review the content, you can simply read the questions and try to answer them correctly, then check the answer key.
Mind maps: Mind maps are a more dynamic way of organizing and relating information. For more visual people, they are an interesting alternative, especially for understanding key points of extensive content.
Summaries: If you need to write a lot to assimilate information, summaries are also an interesting technique. In them, you try to rewrite what you have just studied in your own words, highlighting the most important points.

4. Learn about other forms of teaching

With the internet, books are no longer the only source of reliable information , especially when it comes to college entrance exams.

Exploring other forms of teaching can be very important not only to expand your horizons, but also to really help you absorb the content studied.

Some examples of platforms you can check out are:

YouTube channels : This social network offers a series of very interesting channels where you can prepare for the entrance exam for free.
Podcasts: For those who like to listen to podcasts while doing other tasks, it may be interesting to know about some teaching platforms. With them, you can learn while washing the dishes, stuck in traffic or exercising, optimizing your time and having more free time to rest afterwards.
Blogs and online forums: To find college entrance exam questions, learn specific topics and even see ready-made essay templates, you can also rely on blogs and online forums. In addition to accessing a lot of important information, they also give you the chance to talk to other students and, if you want, make this process less lonely.

5. Use the pomodoro method

You can use your phone or a specific Pomodoro method app to track your time. There is just one rule: you cannot have any interruptions during the 25 minutes , so no checking social media or messaging apps.

Additionally, you might want to use your breaks to get up from your chair, stretch your legs, do some stretching exercises, or take a short walk. And yes, it’s okay to check your phone a little during this time — but don’t go over it!

Another interesting tip is to select a specific subject and use this technique to dedicate yourself only to it . This way, you can advance in your study schedule without feeling like you are getting “stuffed” with so much material.

6. Take past exams

Previous exams are the greatest allies of college entrance exam candidates. We've said it before, but it bears repeating: they help you understand which subjects are most likely to be tested and how.

But the benefits don't stop there. Doing previous exams is also a way to understand where you're going wrong . Is it a question of text interpretation? Did you use the wrong formula? Did you confuse two similar concepts? By practicing, you can find out.

What's more, past exams also help you time yourself and test whether you're able to complete all the questions within the time limit set for that exam day. In college entrance exams, this is a very important skill to ensure that you'll be able to submit everything and not be at a disadvantage.

7. Don't forget the writing

As we explained, writing is a fundamental part of doing well in any entrance exam . And, to write a good written text, you need to know the structure of the exam and practice a lot.

A great strategy is to look through the last few editions and see what the essay topic was . You can also try to find examples of essays that got the highest score for inspiration.

Another option is to use an online correction platform that helps you identify your strengths and weaknesses.