ST2 is my first time studying an ST. Would users recommend different approaches to studying for ST and CT exams?
Very hard to generalise I think. Make sure you understand what you are reading as you go through the notes, and do ALL the self-assessment questions as you go along - don't skip them! The fist priority is to get the stuff into your head so the more active you can make your studying (by having to engage the brain) the better! Always question the stuff you read (again as you go along) and think about whether there could be any alternatives. A possible strategy is to try and recall, in summary form, as much as you can about each chapter after you have read it; then go back and fill in the blanks from the notes. Again, practising active recall from an early stage is a good idea. And don't forget it's only the core reading (the black stuff) that you actually need to be able to recall in the exam. The ultimate priority is to be able to answer exam questions. So try some questions as soon as possible. In the STs you need to get lots of different and relevant points down - none too detailed - and you can only get the hang of this through practising. It can never be too soon to try answering questions. For the number of points, you won't be far wrong by assuming you get half a mark for each point you make - and one point is one short sentence giving one clear fact or observation. Best advice - get stuck in! Good luck!
