1. Start preparing while you still have sufficient time. If you are not confident that you can study comfortably on your own and maintain discipline, it is important to enroll in an effective preparation course. This provides a structured study schedule, helps you understand the most important parts of the subjects during classes, and prevents unnecessary loss of time by allowing you to ask instructors questions directly.

2. Even if summary notes are provided during training, it is very important to take your own notes. Your note-taking method should also be effective. For customs exams, the most efficient approach is to start with the Cornell Note-Taking Method. The main sections of the topic and their key information (such as time periods, institutions, definitions, and keywords) should be noted. Space should be left at the bottom of the page for a short summary. Using visuals and diagrams in this summary section is beneficial.

3. Legislation should be read at least once or twice, with the most important parts underlined. Key points should then be transferred into your notes. While taking notes, it is essential not to go into excessive detail and to focus only on keywords. Your notes are for yourself, not for others, and they should allow you to summarize the topic at a glance.

4. Once all topics are completed, studying should no longer continue directly from textbooks. The notes taken should be re-summarized and made more visual. Important points that need to be remembered should be illustrated or connected through diagrams, shapes, and links.

5. The importance of short and effective notes becomes clearer as the exam approaches. Many candidates experience situations where they cannot recall topics they know well or make mistakes on subjects they previously understood. This usually results from trying to memorize too much information, which goes against how the brain functions. We cannot assign all recall tasks to short-term memory.

6. The fewer slides an instructor uses, the better. An instructor who summarizes legislation logically and explains topics by linking them together makes the information more memorable. Therefore, do not rely too heavily on the slides provided. Be sure to prepare your own notes as described above.

7. As the exam date approaches, spend more time recalling your notes visually and revising them audibly. Since your notes will be concise, you will be able to review them quickly, increasing retention and strengthening mental connections.

8. In the final period, intensify your practice with exam questions. However, avoid confusing yourself with extremely minor details. Instead of trying to learn new topics, use your time to better remember and reinforce what you already know.

9. Avoid environments that increase stress during the final week. If possible, studying in a calmer environment that suits your personal study style will be more beneficial.

10. On the last day, you may remember some recently studied topics, but the risk of forgetting many previously studied subjects is much higher. Spend the last day in a way that helps reduce stress.

11. If you live in another city, travel to the exam location at least one day in advance. On the exam day, be at the exam building at least one hour before the exam starts.

12. During the exam, do not spend too much time on difficult questions. Mark the questions you cannot answer and move on. After completing all questions, return to the unanswered ones—you will often find that your mind recalls information more easily at that point.

13. For questions you are unsure about, your first answer is often more likely to be correct. If you are not confident, avoid changing your initial answer.

There is much more that can be said about the customs brokerage exam. However, the most important priority is to go through a strong preparation period, because while preparing for the customs brokerage exam, candidates learn the finest details of the profession itself.