Take notes when reading the manual. Knowledge comprehension is always better when you take adequate notes and write down what you're learning.
Pay special attention to the Rules of the Road section. The bulk of permit exam questions usually come from this section.
Study with the intention of learning and understanding how to be a safe, confident driver. Cramming for the test doesn't work as well and may hurt you in the long run. Additionally, a lot of this information may come up later during your road test, so it helps to have internalized the content.
One strategy is to break the manual up into chunks to read (and reread) it over time.
Check your reading comprehension every so often to see if you are properly internalizing the information
We highly recommend going over practice questions. This significantly increases your chances of passing, as these are all real test questions.
Make notecards from the DMV manual and quiz yourself. Even better: ask a friend or family member to quiz you. The great thing about flashcards is you can carry them on the bus, do them while eating lunch, or review them during any other free time you have. You'll find yourself knowing the essential DMV material in no-time at all!
When practicing, take note of any parts you are struggling with so that you can reread and revise those sections in the DMV manual.
Take an extra practice exam the day before your appointment. At this point, you should mainly be revising the information you already know. Hopefully, your progress on this test will help you build confidence for the real deal.
Get a good amount of rest. There's nothing worse than being tired and taking the test with your mind half-awake. Aim for 8 hours of rest. Sleep helps recharge the brain
Remind yourself that you know the content. Remind yourself that this test is but a small part in the process.
Eat a hearty breakfast the morning of the test. You don't want to be hungry in the DMV.
Distract yourself when you are waiting in line to reduce anxiety. Go with a friend/family member and engage with them. Review your flashcards and quiz yourself if you need something to do. Play a game on your phone or people watch at the DMV 🙂
Focus on deep breathing. Don't let stress get to you before your big moment.
Take a deep breath. Remember to relax. A calm mind is better at recalling information.
Take your time. There is adequate time to answer all the questions, so don't rush yourself.
If you're stuck, re-read the question carefully. People often mess up simply because they misunderstand the question. Don't make that mistake and set yourself up for success by going slowly.
Trust yourself. Second-guessing your intuition usually doesn't help. If you don't know the question, take an educated guess.
Worst case, guess a response. Narrow down the answers to what seems most logical, and the probability of getting it right may work in your favor!
Skip questions and come back to them. Don't let anxiety over not knowing an answer distract you from completing the test. Remember, you only need to answer 38 out of 46 questions correctly (or 30 out of 36 if you are over 18) to get the required 83% score to pass
Remember to review your test before submitting! This especially helps if you've skipped questions but forget to go back and check. You should have an answer for every question - even if it means guessing ones you don't know at all.
At the end of the day, you can always take the test again. You have two more chances to take the test before another application and fee are required.
This is just one step towards getting your license, and you should take the test with excitement and enthusiasm for what's coming next. If you've gone through the permit prep thoroughly, there's no reason you shouldn't pass. Good luck on the test!
3. Test your knowledge with a practice exam
About These Free California DMV Permit Test Practice Questions
We are the only DMV practice test to include over 50 real questions directly from the California DMV permit tests. The key to passing and becoming a knowledgable and safe driver is practicing with real questions!
The Ultimate California DMV Permit Practice Test Questions
51 questions guaranteed to help you pass
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