How early should I start preparing for the exams?

For any required standardized test, it’s best to give yourself ample time to prepare, so at least 3-6 months before the test date. Early preparation gives you the advantage of planning ahead and outlining how to balance your time between school, exam prep, and your own interests. However, 3-6 is also a “sweetspot” since setting your test date any further can actually be detrimental. Giving yourself a year may sound like enough time, but the sense of urgency is lost, and you can easily lose focus on your tasks.