In math and physics, I find it useful to practice questions on as many different types of questions as possible. There are only so many types examiners can throw at you.
For English/history etc, I memorize a bunch of quotes and facts so that whatever type of questions come up, I'll at least have some sort of evidence to support my arguments.
This coming from a huge procrastinator who just finished 3/4 of her exam, do not go anywhere *near* the computer/TV/whatever else interests you. And don't start a new obsession two days before your study leave.
Skill vs. Gift?
I find people who have a gift in that subject already to be able to put in a lot more effort into it. I think it's because it's relatively easy to them so they understand it, so they find the homework etc doesn't need to take 2 hours and ending up with a massive headache.
I think people who get good marks despite lacking the gift for it to be incredible. I can't even imagine sitting there everyday studying for 5 hours.
I think it's a skill in that you need to figure out what the question is asking you, instead of *thinking* what the question is asking you. With physics, a lot of the word problems have a basis in equations, so that helps a lot, especially if you're stuck, I try to link equations together, and sometimes they turn out right...
(sorry if this post was incoherent. It's late and I'm tired...)
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