If you adopt a best-guess outline, what should you do to ensure it's useful?

• A. Keep it unchanged even if it seems off.
• B. Compare it to course goals or a reasonable syllabus you have access to.
• C. Jettison the guidance and study unrelated topics.
• D. Only study one topic thoroughly.

Answer: (B)

Aligning your best-guess outline with course goals or a syllabus makes it genuinely useful because it anchors your study to what the exam is designed to assess. When you compare the topics you plan to study with the official objectives, you can see which areas are emphasized, what level of depth is expected, and how the topics fit together. This helps you prioritize, fill in gaps, and trim parts that are unlikely to appear, so your time is spent efficiently. If you spot mismatches, adjust the outline to reflect the actual structure, ensure coverage of essential concepts, typical problem types, and any stated competencies. After aligning, map each item to a goal or outcome, estimate weight or frequency, and build a balanced study plan. Sticking with something that seems off wastes time on irrelevant material, ignoring guidance leaves you guessing, and focusing only on one topic misses breadth and integrated understanding.