備える
そなえる · sonaeru · JLPT N3 · verb-ichidan
to prepare
🎒🧰 Sonaeru sounds like so near: the exam is so near, so prepare
The kanji 備 means equip or provide. It also appears in 準備 (junbi, preparation) and 設備 (setsubi, equipment). Use 備える for getting ready for something ahead, like 地震に備える (to prepare for an earthquake).