Getting ready to take my Tech exam in 2 months and trying to figure out the best approach. I've been using HamStudy.org for practice tests but also considering getting the ARRL manual with the current question pool through June 2026.

My questions:

• Should I focus on memorizing the question pool or actually understanding the concepts?
• How many practice tests should I be scoring 85%+ on before scheduling the real exam?
• Any specific study schedule that worked well for you?

I always tell my students: create a set schedule every day, perhaps 30 minutes after dinner, and stick to it - you'll feel increasingly comfortable with the material. Understanding beats memorization every time. Focus on grasping Ohm's Law, frequency allocations, and basic circuit concepts first.

Just passed my Tech 2 weeks ago! I used both - HamStudy for drilling weak areas and the ARRL book for understanding WHY answers were correct. Don't schedule until you're consistently scoring above 88% on 15+ practice tests. That buffer saved me when I got nervous during the actual exam.

The key is instant feedback on your answers with explanations for why each answer is correct or incorrect. I recommend HamRadioPrep's mobile app - lets you study during lunch breaks or commutes. Remember, 74% is passing, so don't fall into the perfectionism trap!