Why is it helpful to familiarize yourself with question stems before the exam?

Familiarizing yourself with question stems before the exam is beneficial because it allows you to anticipate the kind of information you will need to provide in your answers. By recognizing common question types and phrases, you can better prepare yourself for what the questions will likely ask, thereby honing your focus on relevant material during your study sessions. This proactive approach enhances your ability to understand and respond to the specific demands of the exam, improving your chances of performing well.

The other options, while they may offer benefits in certain contexts, do not directly relate to the main advantage of knowing question stems. For instance, while reducing exam anxiety might be a byproduct of feeling prepared, it is not the primary reason for this familiarity. Likewise, memorizing answers does not address the nuances of question interpretation required in exams, and improving research skills is more relevant to gathering information than answering specific questions.