III IC-85 study plan

III IC-85 · Give each week a clear focus.

8 weeks · About 6 hours per week

Week 1

Subject content for IC-85 (not enumerated in the official source)

Map the full IC-85 blueprint by writing your own topic inventory, since the official source does not enumerate domain 1 in detail.
Build a one-page terminology sheet covering the core subject vocabulary you will need for later weeks.
Identify and rank the three sub-areas you personally find hardest, then schedule them into weeks 2-4.
Set up a spaced-repetition deck with an initial 60 cards drawn from your terminology sheet.

A personal blueprint document with the topic inventory, ranked weak areas, and a 60-card deck ready to review.

Week 2

Study the heaviest sub-area identified in week 1 and write a 400-word summary in your own words.
Work through at least 30 practice-style problems on that sub-area and log every error with its cause.
Cross-check each uncertain fact against at least two independent references before accepting it.

An error log of 30 solved problems showing the mistake category for each one.

Week 3

Cover the second-heaviest sub-area and produce a comparison table of its key concepts.
Explain three difficult concepts aloud in under two minutes each, recording yourself to check clarity.
Re-test the week 1 deck and retire cards you now answer instantly.

A comparison table plus three recorded two-minute explanations.

Week 4

Consolidate the first half of the syllabus by re-deriving every formula, rule, or framework from memory.
Complete a timed 40-question mixed set and score it under exam conditions.
Rewrite any summary that turned out to be inaccurate after the timed set.

A timed 40-question score report with a written correction for every wrong answer.

Week 5

Study the third-ranked weak area and connect it explicitly to the two areas already covered.
Draft ten original questions on this area and answer them without notes.
Review the full error log and mark which errors are now resolved.

Ten self-written questions with model answers and an updated, annotated error log.

Week 6

Sweep the remaining lower-weight topics to ensure no part of the syllabus is untouched.
Build a single condensed review sheet of no more than four pages covering the whole subject.
Test yourself on the review sheet from memory, then correct gaps.

A four-page condensed review sheet validated by a closed-book recall test.

Week 7

Take two full-length timed practice exams on separate days and record section-level timings.
Analyze pacing to find where you lose time and rehearse a faster answering routine.
Re-study only the topics that produced repeated errors across both exams.

Two timed exam score reports with a pacing analysis and a targeted re-study list.

Week 8

Review the condensed sheet and error log daily, retiring items only after three correct recalls.
Simulate exam-day conditions once more, including start time and break timing.
Finalize a one-page pre-exam checklist of facts you keep forgetting.

A one-page last-minute checklist plus a final simulated exam score at or above your target.

Week 2: You can state the main sub-areas of domain 1 from memory and have a working 60-card deck with at least five review sessions logged.

Week 4: Timed 40-question mixed set completed with a documented score and a correction written for every missed item.

Week 6: Every syllabus topic has been touched at least once and a four-page condensed review sheet exists and survives a closed-book recall test.

Week 8: Two full-length timed exams completed, pacing analyzed, and the final simulation meets or exceeds your target score.