Brain busting

My first major exam in 8 hours time for this semester... (mid-term tests were mere choosing which ovals to shade)

Programming Practical Exam - one of the rarest open-book exam that most feel 'sure-doom'. It was mentioned that the questions set will never be found in our books.

No amount of studying can help. It is based on our power(ful/less) logic thinking to come out with the codes.

On a normal lab qns, it is not uncommon to see students taking like 3, 4 hours to come out with the codes. For me it was worst, i could take 5 hours and still got incorrect output. For the record, the thinking process spanned over 2 days once - I pondered over it during my bus journey, during my lectures, during my sleep... etc and still didnt complete.

How to complete the practical exam in 1 hour 45 minutes with slow thinking skills like mine.....

Like what my tutor mentioned somewhere,

Don't worry about the PE. In the history of PEs, less than 5% of the cohort get their programs completely working so there's no point worrying. One day before the PE, if you feel as though you still know nothing, then don't bother to study anymore. Just relax, keep smiling during your PE, and then laugh at each other after that... believe in the power of moderation!!!

But how to not worry when Raymond Tan mentioned,

One student, after 45 mins, raises his hand and asks: "Is that all there is to the question?"... I take a look at his code and say, "Let me see... yes that is it. Just add some more comments and submit". Gotta ignore such students if they sit beside you.

Hope i dont see such people.