Tips to prepare well for any examination

For Students & Social Welfare

Rakesh Kushwaha

M.Sc. (Math); M.A.(Lings , Eng & Eco) B.Ed. (Sp. Ed.); GNIIT; SBTC;

PRAXIS ACADEMY, MUMBAI , CELL: 09224190389, E-mail: [email protected]

1. While revising the subjects, you feel that there is still a lot to study. Don’t get tensed up. No person in the world feels totally prepared for his exams. It’s really difficult to revise the complete syllabus on the day before examination. Hence, limit the last day revision to important and essential topics or notes only.


2. To avoid visual disturbance, read in a dark room under a table light facing the wall. Dawn is the best time to study.


3. Create an artificial dawn by sleeping for an hour in the afternoon during preparation holidays; brush your teeth, bathe and read. It’s called “one day-two dawns theory”.


4. Have a nutritious but a moderate breakfast. Avoid sugary snacks because sugar raises your blood sugar level artificially for some time. As your sugar level falls later, you’ll feel fatigued during the exam. Avoid sweets, oily foods and cool drinks.


5. If you do not have a regular coffee/tea habit, don’t make it now to stay late hours.


6. Stick on to the healthy habit of sleeping before midnight to be fit physically and mentally.


7. A student’s attention deteriorates after reading for an hour. Sit straight and cover your eyes with a wet cloth for five minutes. Close your left nostril with middle finger; take a deep breath and release. Repeat it with your right nostril. This exercise astonishingly re-energizes your mood and you feel rejuvenated. Just try.


8. If you have sleeping problem due to tension, stop reading before bedtime and relax.


9. Don’t watch TV after studies.


10. A glass of milk along with a banana drives you to a good sleep. But never take milk ‘before’ the commencement of studies in the night.


LAST MINUTE REVISION


1. Last minute revision is very important. It reminds you about the hard work you have put in, what you have studied through out the year. It will definitely boost your morale.


2. Avoid last minute cramming as it may cause undue stress. Stick to what you have already done.


3. Tell yourself that you have studied hard throughout the year and now you are ready for the exam. Take proper rest. If you’re dull-headed because of a lack of sleep, you’ll not be able to perform your best. In case you need to stay late to finish your revision, drink lots of water rather than caffeinated drinks. Being hydrated keeps your brain active. Research has proven that your brain performs more efficiently when it is well-hydrated. Being hydrated also helps you overcome nervousness.


4. Avoid speaking to any nervous students and absorbing their negative energy. Avoid glancing at other students or gauging their mood or confidence levels. Close your eyes, relax and reflect on your exam.


5. If you get nervous, your hands may turn cold thereby decreasing your writing speed initially. Hence while you are waiting for the exam paper, flex your fists for better blood circulation. Stay positive, doubting yourself may release negative triggers in the brain and you may go blank. Concentrate on your strengths.


6. Read the entire question paper carefully including the instructions. Don’t waste time in informing the invigilator about an out-of-syllabus question, because in all probability the mistake will be identified by the invigilators /faculty and you will be duly informed. Circle the questions and finalize the order you will attempt. Go through the entire paper, sometimes easy questions are given towards the end.


7. Poor time management is the single most common cause of under-achievement in exams. Do not allocate more time to a section/ question that carries relatively less marks. Allow yourself 15 minutes at the end. This extra time can serve as a margin for checking and reviewing your answers. Start the first section/ question, but stop immediately when the allocated duration for that section/ question has elapsed. Don’t worry if you are not able to finish the section/ question – you will have 15 minutes in the end to finish this question and any others that are left to be answered.


8. Attempt all questions in compulsory section. It is surprising that a large number of students would rather spend all their time answering only the questions that they can answer and tend to leave other questions unanswered. This is counterproductive. Never answer more questions than required in the optional/ choice section. You may use extra time in the end to review your answer instead.


9. Answer easy questions first to build your confidence and leave a good first impression on the examiner. If you find a question difficult, stop, close your eyes and breathe deeply. Then approach the question again. You may get a fresh perspective on the question. In case you are still unable to answer, move on and return to it later, only when you are through with all the questions that you can answer. Every time you skip a question, be sure to mark it.


10. Treat each question as a separate challenge as you proceed through the exam. Briefly pause before answering each question to clear your mind. Forget all advice you have given and just focus on the question. Concentrate on answering the question at hand. Don’t think about your last answer, or other unanswered questions, or your overall exam score. Thinking about your overall score may make you more nervous.


11. Read the question carefully, underline the relevant parts, organize your thoughts, make rough notes and draw rough diagrams wherever required. Limit your answer to only what is asked directly in the question. Write question number and its part-number clearly. Write point-wise and precise answers. Draw supporting diagrams and charts. Keep your writing legible and understandable. Keep your answer sheet organized and tidy.


12. Don’t get distracted by external disturbances. Focus on yourself and your exam only. Imagine there is nobody else in the exam hall – it’s just you, the question paper and your answer sheet. Don’t look around at what other students are doing.


13. If you finish the exam early, check your answers. Make sure you have answered all the questions.


14. Don’t discuss / compare your answers with anyone immediately after the exam as it may disturb your momentum for the next paper. Take a break and then focus your efforts on the next exam instead.



ALL THE BEST!

Tips to prepare well for any examination

Education

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