Thanks for validating what I do :)

What tipped off my original question was lukeprog's phrase "... now consumes whole fields of knowledge in mere weeks". I don't think I can manage that kind of speed with technical material! Months (without multiplexing) is more like it for me.

My question stands for anybody who has any tips for optimizing the "solve the exercises" method.

lukeprog: Your Anki tip is not in vain though. Still useful. Thanks.