- Make a Study Plan and Stick to it
- Thoroughly Study the NCERT Textbooks
- Make Notes Regularly
- Break-up the Syllabus into Smaller Modules
- Create a Proper Study Environment
- Stop Cramming
- Devote More Time to Important Topics
- Take Regular Breaks
- Avoid Getting Stressed
- Avoid Late Night Study Sessions
- Solve Previous Years Question Papers
- Set a Time Period for Solving the Papers
- Don't Practice the Numerical Problems Verbally
- Eat Healthy Food
- Evaluate Yourself
- Avoid Studying in Groups
- Set Aside Enough Time for Revision
- Avoid Last Minute Cramming
- Try out some Relaxation Exercises
- Clear all your Doubts
Tips on How to Attempt the Question Paper
- Scan the Question Paper in the first 5 minutes
- Don't Spend Too Much Time on a Single Question
- Pay Attention to the Marks Allotted to Questions
- Keep your Answers Relevant to the Questions
- Reserve the Last 10 Minutes for Revision
Tip # 1 - Make a Study Plan and Stick to it
Begin your preparation in a planned and organized manner. For this, create a timetable in such a manner that all the subjects receive equal amount of attention. Also keep in mind your datesheet. Based on it, decide which subjects need to be studied first and distribute your time accordingly.
Before preparing the timetable, you can set a daily or weekly target. After a week see how well you have achieved the target and which areas need more studying.
Tip # 2 - Thoroughly Study the NCERT Textbooks
Give utmost importance to your NCERT textbooks and do not leave any topic from them. NCERT books are simple but if you want to clear your concepts, you must study them thoroughly.
Try to solve every single problem - both solved examples and exercise problems given in the NCERT books. After clearing your concepts, you can then move on to other reference books.
Tip # 3 - Make Notes Regularly
While preparing for the exams, make sure you prepare notes for each chapter you finish studying. Write down all the important points in the way you can understand them better. Also make a comprehensive list of all the important formulae and revise them regularly.
You can refer to the notes to refresh your knowledge a day before the exam. It is more convenient to revise from the notes than studying the whole textbook again.
Tip # 4 - Break-up the Syllabus into Smaller Modules
Like you have set the time-table as per daily/weekly target; you need to divide the whole syllabus into various sections. In this way, it will be easy for you to complete the whole syllabus and do revision as well.
Do not try to study everything in a single day. Pick up 2 or a maximum of 3 subjects in a day and study one or two chapters of each subject thoroughly. Go into the depths of the sections that you pick, instead of skimming the whole subject.
Tip # 5 - Create a Proper Study Environment
You should create a comfortable study environment, devoid of any noise or interruptions. The room should be well ventilated and have adequate lighting. Switch off all the distractions like television, music player, cell phone or ipod.
The desk and chair should be comfortable enough for long sitting hours. Gather all the materials needed like books, pens, pencils, calculator etc. before sitting for studying.
Tip # 6 - Stop Cramming
Do not focus on brainlessly cramming the text given in the books. Rather try to understand the basic concepts and the theory. Cramming is an absolute waste of time as the chances of forgetting all that you crammed are very high.
Plain memorizing without grasping the basic concepts can have adverse effects on the answer sheet. Once the concepts have been well understood, application-based questions in subjects like Physics and Geography can be tackled smoothly.
Tip # 7 - Devote More Time to Important Topics
While making a timetable, first identify the topics which are important from the examination point of view. Make a list of such topics for each subject and give a little extra time to these topics.
Everyday start your examination preparation with some important topics. When you have finished the preparation of 4 or 5 such topics, take a small test from the sample papers covering the questions related to these topics.
Tip # 8 - Take Regular Breaks
Instead of studying for long hours, it is more effective to take hourly breaks. Taking a break eases off the tension and helps in concentrating more. Take a 10 minute break for every one hour of studying and a 30 minute break after every three hours.
Utilize this time for activities that relax your mind and body. For example, go for a walk, listen to music, or have some snacks. Just after the break, study the topics in which you are weak as your mind will be relaxed, refreshed, and focused after the break.
Tip # 9 - Avoid Getting Stressed
Stress is one of the most important reasons why even the best students do not manage to fare well in their exams. Stress results in loosing self confidence and this badly affects the performance of the students.
It is vital for you to stay calm and concentrate while preparing for the exams. In case you feel restless due to fear and anxiety, try out some stress-relieving activities, like outdoor or board games. Light reading, swimming, meditation and listening to soft music will also help in soothing your nerves.
Tip # 10 - Avoid Late Night Study Sessions
Studying till late in the night will only result in lethargy and exhaustion the next day. You will end up feeling drowsy and will not be able to concentrate on what you are studying. So if you want to keep yourself fresh and relaxed the next morning, try to avoid late night study sessions.
Try to end your study at least an hour before going to bed. Falling straight into bed from the study desk will buzz your mind for hours and you will not be able to take proper sleep.
Tip # 11 - Solve Previous Years Question Papers
Previous years' papers are very important while preparing for the exams because many a times there are questions which are repeated from the previous year papers. So, always practice by solving the previous years' question papers and CBSE sample papers. This will give you an idea of the type of questions expected, and the level of difficulty in the board exam.
Try to solve at least 5 previous year's question papers of each subject. This will help you in assessing your current levels of preparation and identifying your strong and weak areas of answering.
Tip # 12 - Set a Time Period for Solving the Papers
While solving the previous years' question papers and sample papers, create an environment as close to the one you expect at the examination centre. Try to solve the papers within a fixed time period so that you have enough practice of time management.
Set the clock according to the board exam schedule and solve the papers in the same hours during which the actual exams are held. It will increases your writing speed and make you more systematic and confident in answering the question paper. After solving the paper, mark yourself as per the examination marking scheme.
Tip # 13 - Don't Practice the Numerical Problems Verbally
While solving the numerical problems in Mathematics and Physics, don't do it verbally. Always carry a paper and pen with you while studying the subjects like Mathematics and Physics. Practice all the numerical problems by writing down.
Never try to learn and mug up the questions or theorems. Understand the concepts clearly so that you can solve any particular problem given. Whenever possible, draw a diagram. Even though you may be able to visualize the problem mentally, a digram will give you more clarity about the problem.
Tip # 14 - Eat Healthy Food
A good diet is extremely important for a fit mind and body. Unhealthy food habits can lead to stomach upsets and other problems that will weaken the body as well as the brain. You, therefore, need to follow a healthy diet so that you find yourself energetic enough during the preparation break.
Eat healthy food and keep well. Do not skip your meals and try to avoid junk food before the examinations. This will help you in having more stamina and will keep you alert.
Tip # 15 - Evaluate Yourself
At the end of every week, evaluate yourself by solving test papers. You need to maintain the time like the real examination. Have your papers corrected by tutors, or mark yourself. Evaluation will show you how much you have improved over the week.
If you have done well in the weekly evaluation examination, reward yourself by watching a movie or eating out. If you are very much confident about your preparation, you can even take a whole day out and enjoy. Taking a break will remove all the tension and make your brain more alert.
Tip # 16 - Avoid Studying in Groups
With just a month left for the board exams, self-study is the best way to maintain a good level of confidence. While it seems like a good idea to study in groups but it may result into wasting valuable time of study in just gossiping and fun.
Moreover, you may also get intimidated by the level of preparation of your peers. In self-studying, you have privacy and independence with no fear of criticism. Hence, your concentration power will be more in self-studying. This will not only save your time but will also improve your study efficiency.
Tip # 17 - Set Aside Enough Time for Revision
Revision is an important part of exam preparation. It prevents the situation of last minute cramming and hence reduces any pre-exam stress. So, it is important to revise all the important topics a day before the exam. This will refresh your knowledge and boost your confidence.
Make sure you keep aside enough time for revision so that you will be able to recall all that you have assimilated during the exam preparation.
Tip # 18 - Avoid Last Minute Cramming
Just before the examination, do not begin with a completely new topic. If you will try to mug up a topic that you haven't touched before, you will end up wasting a lot of time as there are very little chances of retaining it in the memory.
It will however be wiser to revise the topics that have already been prepared. Revise all the important formulae and concepts. But avoid going through the notes at least one hour before the examination to keep yourself in a relaxed state of mind.
Tip # 19 - Try out some Relaxation Exercises
If you are facing exam stress and finding it difficult to pay attention to your study, then try out some relaxation techniques like yoga, meditation, deep breathing, cycling etc. This will help in reducing the stress and boosting your energy level.
Yoga and other relaxation exercises are known for refreshing the entire human body. This will help you stay calm and composed. That will in due course of time increase your concentration level and make you confident enough to face the exams.
Tip # 20 - Clear all your Doubts
If you are not able to understand any topic given in the books or have doubts and questions regarding any subject, clear them by meeting the concerned teachers well ahead of time. You can also discuss them with your friends and take help from them.
But never ignore any of your doubt. If you do so, you will unconsciously start losing confidence, which will ultimately lead to exam stress. So, get all your doubts cleared well in time to avoid exam fear and stress.
Tips on How to Attempt the Question Paper
Tip # 1 - Scan the Question Paper in the first 5 minutes
Before you begin to attempt the paper, spend the first 5 minutes in scanning the question paper as a whole. 5 minutes spent earlier in scanning the paper will save a lot of time later. This will help you in determining how to answer the questions and which ones to go for first.
Read the question paper thoroughly and select the questions for which you have confidence that you can attempt them easily. It is advisable to start with the easy questions first and then attempt the harder questions.
Tip # 2 - Don't Spend Too Much Time on a Single Question
If you will spend too much time on answering a single question, you will lose time for answering the remaining questions. So, it is better to leave the question which is tricky or taking too much time. Skip it and move on to the next question.
You can always comeback to that question later when you have time left after answering all the remaining questions. In this way you can make the best use of your time.
Tip # 3 - Pay Attention to the Marks Allotted to Questions
Before answering any question, look at the marks allotted to that question. Spend more time on the questions which are of 5 marks and less time on the questions worth 2 marks. In other words, allot time for each question on the basis of the marks allotted to the question.
However, some tricky questions may take longer than the time allotted to them. In that case you have to manage your time by spending less time on the easier questions.
Tip # 4 - Keep your Answers Relevant to the Questions
Make sure your answers are brief and to the point. Do not deviate from the topic and add any irrelevant information. This will not get you any extra marks. Before answering any question, read it carefully and write only the relevant points.
The way of presentation is also very important in the exams. So, write down your answers legibly and in an understandable manner. Underline the important points with a pencil or black pen.
Tip # 5 - Reserve the Last 10 Minutes for Revision
Time management is very important for any examination. Try to solve the paper in such a manner that at least 10 minutes time is available to do a quick revision. Revise whatever you put down in the answer sheet. This will ensure that there are no careless mistakes in the answers.
Careless mistakes often result in deduction of marks and this can be avoided by going through the answer sheet one last time before submission of the same.
