Develop a strategy. Do not simply start studying random information. Depending on your topic, as well as the exam date and requirements, form a study plan. Decide how many days you will devote to studying and how many hours per day. Decide where you study best -- alone in your room? at a coffee shop? -- and whether you study more effectively in groups, alone or with a combination of both.
Separate the material into manageable sections. Complicated exam material is difficult to begin with; having a great deal of complicated information can be overwhelming. Depending on the size of the exam and the amount of time you have, break the material into sections, time periods, concepts or areas of study, and then further subdivide the material into sections that can be used for dedicated study time. Allow, if possible, for some sessions dedicated to tying the material all together.
Prepare sample answers. Applying complicated material well on an exam requires some forethought as to how an answer might look. If you have sample questions or hints from your instructor, use those to develop some possible answers ahead of time. If not, try to think of which questions might appear on the exam. Then apply the material by writing up and reviewing sample responses. If possible, this is best done in a group, as individuals can exchange ideas about possible questions and answers.
Summarize and organize key material. Once you have put in study time and have written up some practice answers, connect the material through broader summaries. This will give you an idea of how a topic hangs together and can help with application of the material, because you will be better able to cross-reference areas.
Take a break. If you have time, once you have developed a strategy, put in some study time and worked out some answers, give yourself some time to relax and rest. Stress and fatigue inhibit performance, so a rested test taker is a better test taker.