Tested tips for taking exams

With May quickly approaching, many students are starting to prep for their most important tests of the year — final exams.

Toni Miceli, the inaugural director of the bar exam success program at Arizona State University's Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, brings more than 13 years of expertise to the university. She passed three bar exams in three states and developed a program that ensures student success through planning, preparation and performance. 

Miceli's role is to help students prepare for the exam and maintain their mental health.

We asked for her advice leading up to final exam week, which starts May 5.

Question: I imagine you learned a great deal between preparing for your first bar exam and your third. What challenges did you as a student have in preparing for these exams? 

Answer: Each bar exam taught me something new. For my first, in California, I spent too much time making flashcards instead of practicing. I didn’t realize struggling through practice questions — even before I felt ready — reinforced material better than passive memorization.

By my second and third bar exams in Missouri and Illinois, I was working full-time, so efficiency became critical. I focused on timed practice and writing essays from memory. That shift made all the difference — success isn’t about how much you study, but how you study.

Q: You are the first director of exam preparation for ASU Law. How will you be helping students in that role?

A: My job is to take the mystery out of the bar exam and ensure students have the tools, strategies and support they need to pass with confidence. Many students don’t think about bar prep until their final year, but success starts earlier. My goal is to integrate bar readiness into law school from day one.

I do this through workshops, info sessions and one-on-one coaching on everything from multiple-choice strategies to time management. I also guide students through the bar admissions process, including character and fitness requirements and accommodations.

Most importantly, I support graduates throughout the bar prep period, keeping them engaged and connected. Bar prep can feel isolating, but I help students stay on track with a plan, the right resources and the confidence to succeed.

Q: Some of your tips for ASU Law students can help all ASU students prepare for the upcoming finals. What do you think is the biggest obstacle for students who are studying for exams?

A: Many spend hours passively reviewing notes, but that’s not how we retain information. The key is active learning — quizzing yourself, explaining concepts in your own words and doing practice questions.

Another challenge is time management. Cramming might feel productive, but spacing out study sessions leads to better retention — and far less stress — than an all-nighter fueled by caffeine and panic.

Q: Given that people learn differently — i.e., some are visual learners, while others are auditory learners — should that be taken into consideration when creating a study plan? 

A: Definitely! There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to studying, so it’s important to find what works best for you. Visual learners may benefit from diagrams and color-coded notes. Auditory learners can try explaining concepts aloud or by using text-to-speech tools. Kinesthetic learners should focus on practice questions and writing answers from memory.

That said, no matter your learning style, active engagement is key. Simply rereading or listening to material isn’t enough — you need to recall, apply and work through it.

Q: You have a holistic approach that’s also a part of your tips and toolbox. What does that entail?

A: A holistic approach means recognizing that exam success isn’t just about studying — it’s also about stress management, focus and overall well-being.

That includes building a realistic schedule, using active learning strategies and staying physically and mentally healthy. I also emphasize community — studying doesn’t have to be isolating. Checking in with mentors or study groups can make a big difference.

Q: You focus on three key areas for bar exam success: planning, preparation and performance. What does that involve?

A: Exam success doesn’t happen by accident; it takes a structured approach: planning, preparation and performance.

Planning starts early. Students need to understand what the exam will entail and create a realistic study plan. Preparation is where the real work happens — learning the material and practicing exam components. Performance is about execution on test day — managing time, handling stress and trusting your preparation. How you approach an exam matters as much as what you know.

Q: You are currently working to empower neurodiverse students. What tools do you recommend for students who may be diagnosed with dyslexia, ADHD or other learning challenges?

A: The key to success for neurodiverse students is finding strategies that support focus, organization and processing efficiency. 

For students with ADHD, time blindness can make studying and exam prep especially challenging. Visual timers, structured study routines and external reminders — like alarms or calendar alerts — help keep tasks on track. The Pomodoro technique (short study sprints with built-in breaks) can improve focus and prevent procrastination. Distraction blockers and noise-canceling headphones can also help limit interruptions.

For students with dyslexia, text-to-speech software, audiobooks and tools that adjust font size or spacing can improve reading comprehension. Practicing writing responses under timed conditions helps build fluency for the bar exam.

Most importantly, I encourage students to explore accommodations — not just for the bar exam but for all exams. Final exams should test knowledge, not processing speed, so advocating for accommodations can level the playing field.

Originally published on ASU News

Written by Dolores Tropiano