What is considered a key factor for effective time management during exam preparation?

Prioritizing difficult topics early in the study schedule is a key factor for effective time management during exam preparation because it allows students to tackle the most challenging material when they are likely to have the most energy and focus. By addressing these topics early, students have ample time to revisit and reinforce their understanding, which can significantly boost their confidence and retention of information by the time the exam arrives.

Additionally, focusing on difficult subjects first can help alleviate stress as students gain mastery over them. It can also create a sense of accomplishment, motivating them to engage with the remaining subjects with greater effort. On the other hand, strategies like allocating time based on subject popularity or distributing time equally among all subjects can lead to inadequate preparation in areas that may need more attention, while studying only the night before the exam typically results in cramming, which is less effective for long-term retention and understanding.