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All law enforcement agencies use a hierarchal organiza-tion that includes a rank structure and a division of la-

bor. Typically that means that in order to achieve the rank of first- or second-line supervisor, you have to take some type of written examination. Attaining higher ranks usually in-volves the agency head magically saying, “Poof, you’re now a captain.” I can’t help you with that, but I can help you score higher on your next exam by sharing some useful informa-tion from my past experience and what I’ve learned from cognition and learning experts.

To achieve high scores on my exams I had to work my tail off and sacrifice a great deal. Unless you’re gifted with a su-perior intellect and ironclad memory, so will you.

CommitmentIf you don’t really want it, then don’t waste your time be-cause your first real challenge is commitment. Are you will-ing to do whatever it takes to come out number one? Are you willing to put in the time and effort? Are you willing to put everything else aside including your family, friends, and your favorite activities while you study? If you can say yes to

these questions, then you are off to a good start. Once you make the commitment, you need to start study-

ing immediately. A major key to your success is starting right now and not waiting for the exam to be announced. It is easier to retain information over a long period of time than trying to cram it in during a short one.

Since everyone will have to study the same material, there is no edge hidden there. For example, everyone will read the supervision book and answer the questions at the end of each chapter. The edge you need is found in how you study and how often.

Why We ForgetThere are some very strong clues that will help you study if you look at why people forget information in the first place. The author of an article from CollegeAtlas.org titled “How to Retain Information” suggests the following:•It’seasytoforgetinformationwedon’tunderstand.•Toremembersomethingnew,itmustbeclearlyimprintedin the brain. It’s important to schedule periodic study ses-sions and constantly review information.•Uninterestingconceptsaredifficulttoremember.

Studying For Written PromotionAl exAmSPreparing for any test requires time, effort, and following a study plan that takes into account the way your mind best retains information.

Best PracticesAmAury murgAdo

Learn Amaury Murgado’s personal studying tricks at policemag.com/7studytips

Take advantage of any opportunity to study.

Study during your breaks.

16 POLICE AUGUST 2012

•Everyoneforgetsinformationthatisnotconstantly reviewed. •Studentsoftenforgetwhatthey’vestud-ied because it’s presented differently on tests.•Lackofattentionandeffortwillresultina lack of retention.

Analyzing these clues provides some guiding principles to follow:•Try to understand core principles andhow they are applied.•Study on a regular schedule and in-crease frequency.•Ifsomethingisuninteresting,trytofinda way to connect with it and make it in-teresting, or at least make it important in your mind.•Inordertoremember,youhavetocon-stantly review.•Stopmemorizing and learn the princi-ple behind things so you can apply it.•It requires intense concentration to re-

are significantly lower when you do. Third, get used to eating a balanced

diet. This means getting enough fruits and vegetables because the brain requires a constant supply of energy.

Lastly, ifyougetnervousbeforeatest,you need to think differently about it. You need to change your attitude so you can change your results.

mAke it CountThis advice applies equally to all of your testable material. It doesn’t matter wheth-er you have to learn a management book, administrative procedures, policy and procedure, or all the above. If you want results, you’ve got to put in the work. Take studying seriously and apply these tech-niques to improve retention.

During my test-taking days, I would start early and work myself into a final 90-day countdown schedule that included a morning study session and an evening study session on my work days. I would then hit it harder on my days off by dou-bling my study time in the morning and evening. I gave myself one day off a week of formal study to keep my sanity and my connection with my family.

When I was working, I tried to find time to review my policy and procedure, which is always a good idea whether you are tak-ing a test or not. If you don’t commit the time and effort, someone else will. Aren’t you already saying “Yes, sir” or “Yes, ma’am” to some of your peers that beat you the last time?

I had a college professor during my master’s program at the University of Cen-tral Florida named Dr. Lanier. His classwas killing me and had me thinking I was justnotsmartenoughtofinish.Luckilyforme, he snapped me back to reality telling me that it wasn’t about being smart; it was about working harder. We started with 28 in his class and only five of us finished. Experiencehastaughtmethathewascor-rect; you don’t have to be smart, you just have to work harder.

Amaury Murgado is a special operations lieutenant with the Osceola County (Fla.) Sheriff’s Office. He is a retired master ser-geant from the Army Reserve, has 25 years of law enforcement experience, and has been a lifelong student of martial arts.

member new information. When study-ing, concentrate on one topic or concept at a time.

hoW We rememberThe biggest key to remembering is pay-ing attention. You need to focus while you are studying. There is a difference between playing relaxing music while you study and playing head banger music that distracts you. If your spouse, children, or phone are constantly interrupting you, your study session becomes worthless. Pick a time and place where you can study uninter-rupted. That may mean waking up before everyone else or studying when they are already in bed, hence the term sacrifice.

But focus isn’t the only component. There are other ways to help you study and remember better. In Sue Shellen-barger’s article, “Toughest Exam Ques-tion: What is the Best Way to Study?” she suggests that there are four ways to help you remember. The first is to test yourself repeatedly before any exam. This way you are teaching your brain to retrieve and ap-ply knowledge from memory.

The second is to remember that sleep plays an important part in your success. Being tired only hurts your cognition abilities. A great tip is to review the tough-est material right before going to bed the night before the test. It will help you recall the information later. Don’t confuse that with studying in an all-nighter; they don’t work. Studies have shown that test scores

Best Practices

STudyIng CheaT SheeT1. Taking exams is how you become a

first- or second-line supervisor. 2. Commit or don’t bother.3. Don’t just memorize; try to under-

stand core principles that can be applied later.

4. Boring material must be made interesting or meaningful to stick in your brain.

5. It will always be about working harder.

Ask more experienced officers to help you.