I took my comps on 16 April 2007. My tactics for studying included reading every book I needed for my research covert-to-cover and reading the introductions, conclusions, and 2-3 book reviews from reputable academic journals for all other books. I took notes throughout the entire process. In fact, I took 234 pages of notes, which I cut up an placed on 5x8 index cards. I read through the index cards and used more advanced classmates' comps questions to outline answers with these cards.
Since my notes have been helpful to many, I continue to post them here in case you too may find them of value. They are unedited and in their original form.