How to Pass Difficult Exams and Subjects
Understanding difficult subjects
If you want to learn how to pass difficult exams, you first need to revisit your definition of the word "difficult." Don't be fooled by the word difficult. How many students have had their dreams shattered by this word? How many people have lost themselves in the wilderness of their own self-delusion merely because they believed that things are inherently difficult? Too many, that's for sure.
Difficult words
What makes the word accolade any more difficult than the word acceptance? Is it the number of letters? Nope. In this case, the latter word has more letters than the former, yet the former is viewed as more difficult. Why?
Simply because we have the wrong understanding, that's why. I once had a teacher who correctly stated: "There are no difficult words, only words you haven't heard of." We tend to call the unknown difficult, while in reality it is no more or less difficult than what we already know. This is the mindset you need before learning new terminology.
Memorize the words and their meanings, and then try to use those words in their appropriate setting. Once you've used a word or phrase regularly, you'll stop perceiving it as difficult, or even as something that needs an explanation.
Difficult subjects
Before I dismiss the notion of difficult subjects altogether, I do need to admit that some subjects are perceived as more difficult than others. We all know this from experience. However, it is important to understand that although we may view a subject as difficult, someone else sees it as easy. The difference between us and that other person is that they have understood the concepts and therefore find it easy. If you want to turn a difficult subject into an easy one, you first need to understand it.
That's why you should invest a lot of time in asking the teacher questions at the beginning of such a course. As soon as you don't understand a word, phrase or concept, look into it further. Don't leave it for later, because chances are you will never get around to it, and you'll find yourself in trouble when it shows up on an exam or in a real-life situation.
Do your homework and learn things properly the first time; it will help you later. For more on getting ready, see how to prepare for an exam.