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Balaji's learning algo

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NaveenBuidl edited this page May 5, 2022 · 2 revisions

Balaji Srinivasan and his EXERCISM framework!

Here's my personal learning routine:

  1. Find the equivalent of Schaum's in any domain, a book of problems with worked answers.

  2. Grind through a bunch of representative problems without studying. Just give it your best shot, you might be able to figure it out. Do as many solved problems as you can.

  3. Check your answers and use this as a form of placement test to identify deficiencies.

  4. Specifically, if you're getting the complex questions right, you understand the domain. If not, go back to the source material and read it. You'll have a new focus in reading it as you know exactly what you got wrong and you know what points to fix.

Doing it this way is (IMO) the most efficient way of spending your learning time. First do problems with worked answers to find out what you don't know, then fill the gap with focused effort.

I ... love the entire Schaum's series of books, which I think illustrate a completely different approach to pedagogy: try the problem and fail/succeed, and then learn what you need to learn.

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