Exam Preparation Archives

Tips To Help You In Exam Preparation

April 27, 2022March 27, 2022 by Dipak Singh

Exam times are tough gruelling times. They extract every ounce of energy and vitality out of you. Examinations are not difficult, but preparing for them is a task that all students, be it a studious or non-studious, topper or mediocre, dread. Preparing for the exam cannot be avoided under any circumstances, but some invaluable tips should make it a less tedious process.

Tip 1 – Time Table

Make a timetable, giving each subject time and ample time for revision and re-revision. Allot time according to the syllabus of the subject as well as your comfort level in it. A subject that you find difficult should get more attention and time, and the others can get a little less time. But do not miss out on any of them.

Tip 2 – Revise

When you have completed a chapter or a subject completely, come back to it after two days and revise. Your brain functions in a way that requires revision after the first study within the next 48 hours. After the first revision, again come back to it after a gap of around ten days and see how much you remember. A chapter or subject should ideally be revised at least thrice before the test.

Tip 3 – No continuous studying of a single subject

It is better to not continue studying the same subject throughout the day. After a couple of chapters, move on to another subject. This will not tire your memory and you will be able to absorb more. Studying the same subject all day will exhaust you.

Tip 4 – Change Subjects

Also, do not study the same subject for days. Keep switching – from a difficult to a less difficult one, to the easy one.

Tip 5 – Take Breaks between Chapters

After you finish one chapter, take a five-minute break. This will help that material get absorbed within you. And provide space in your grey cells to study the next chapter. This break is essential to break monotony and loss of concentration. If you follow this, you will notice that your capacity to remember has improved.

Tip 6 – No Study Till Late

Exam time does not mean you study till the wee hours of the morning. Do not disturb your body clock by a huge margin. Set a time limit for studies and then rest. If you are one who can study at night, then make sure to make up for the sleep during the day.

Tip 7 – Jot Down

Make a chart for yourself. In that jot down important facts, definitions, dates if any that you need to remember, formulas, etc. and then put it up somewhere in your room where it will get constant attention. A good place to stick it is above the bed or study table. You can make 2-3 copies of each chart and put them up at various places. By this, you will always have these in front of you and will not have to refer to your books in case you think you have forgotten something. Also, you will remember them by heart by the time your exam starts.

Tip 8 – Make points

While studying a particular chapter or subject, keep a notebook handy. Make pointers in this. You may sum up a chapter, note down important facts or just provide a list. This will give you a clear idea of what you have studied. During revisions, you can just flip through this and remember all that is there in any chapter. In case you have forgotten the details, then you can refer to the books. For the final revision, this is extremely significant.

Tip 9 – Address Doubts

If you cannot understand anything, or you have a doubt, do not leave it unaddressed. Ask your teachers, or parents or peers immediately.

Tip 10 – Avoid Selective Study

Try to avoid selective study. There may be chapters that you find difficult to remember or not like. At least make points and know the basics of these chapters. There is a compulsory section in every examination. The marks allotted for this section may be less, but it is scoring and you can always avoid losing out where you can score full marks. A couple of marks can either qualify or disqualify you.

Tip 11 – Decide Pattern of Study

Different people have different ways of studying. Decide what condition suits you the best. Do not follow peers. The best mode of study is the most comfortable method for you. Whatever suits you – studying alone, in groups, aloud, while listening to music, etc, adopt it. It will benefit you immensely.

Tip 12 – Solve Question Papers

Get hold of question papers of the last five years and allot time to solve them. If you cannot solve a particular one, ask immediately. This will help in revision and also test your level of preparation. It will also hint at those topics or subtopics that you may have left out.

Tip 13 – When Tired, Sleep

There is no use in studying if you cannot keep your eyes from shutting, your mind from switching off, and your head from dropping. If you are tired or sleepy, just close the books and sleep. Wake up refresh and then get back to studies afresh.

Important Study Tips for Cracking the Board Exams

February 8, 2021January 7, 2021 by Saral Study

CBSE class 10th and 12th board exams for the year 2020-21 will be starting soon with the reduced syllabus. We know that all the students have extreme pressure on their mind about how to score well in these exams which can result in lots of negative effects like depression, fear of paper, etc. and this academic year went awful due to pandemic. Students are attending their classes online which cannot compete with the offline school classrooms. Students cannot get the doubt clearing sessions which they can get in the classroom, Although, there are lots of ways on the internet to solve your doubts they cost too much which is not friendly with the pockets of the middle-class student. At this time students are busy with the preparation of their board exams and they all wanted to give their 100% on this. At this time of Pandemic, all the students are in stress and struggling with the exam preparation. Now in this article, we will discuss some of the most important points which you should remember when you are preparing for the board exams and want the best result. If you follow these tips you will get high scores in your board exams without stressing your mind and body. These Tips are highly beneficial especially for the students who have to attempt their board examinations this year. So let’s start-

Some Tips to Crack your Board Exam

Start your preparations early: We know that all the students have their own capabilities for the learning and understanding of topics, but you should start from the beginning of the session to avoid the tension and to reduce the burden on your mind. But, if you have not yet started the preparation, you can start from today, it is not late yet.
Proper time table: Researches have proved the importance of a proper time table to reach your goal. So, every student should prepare a proper time table and have to stick to it to get better results. Make your time table in such a way that you can spare some time for your hobbies and fun activities without disturbing your studies. Divide your study time properly in order to avoid over-stress on your mind.
Sufficient time for self-study: No matter that you are going to coaching, tuitions, or other educational institutions but you have to give an ample amount of time for self-study. You can use this time to revise the topics which you have learned in school or coaching. When you learn a topic in school then again you go through it in tuitions or coaching classes and then again during your self-study time, the topic gets printed in your mind in such a way that you can solve any problem or answer any questions related to that topic. You can also go through the topics which you will be studying in school or coaching next day for better clarification but do this only if you have time left after revising today’s topic. Self- study is a boon for examination preparation. Especially during this pandemic year, Self-study is great support for the students. This is one of the important pillars that can help you to get your result.
Best study habits adaptations: To stand in the queue of toppers, you must adopt proper study habits by creating well-planned study strategies and sticking to it. This will also help you to be disciplined and will be helpful in your future also. Giving proper time to academics as well as your personal life can lead to a good quality living and better preparations for your exams. These adaptations will become a habit if you do it in a disciplined manner which is important for a student in his/her life.
Strategy to learn long answers: It is natural that every student whether he/she is a topper or an average student has a phobia of learning long answers and these long answers contain the maximum marks in the examination that is why they cannot be left un-attempted at any cost. So, the student should make a strategy for learning these answers like you can break it into paragraphs, pen it down again and again on the paper or relating it with the real-life can help you a lot in learning these long answers.
Solving previous year question papers: If you are in a race and you have an idea of it, your chance of winning it doubles. So, in the same way, you can solve the previous year question papers so that you can understand the pattern of the exam, the frequently asked questions, marking scheme and important topics. As a result your chances to perform in the board exams will increase. Solving the previous year question paper introduces you with your weakness and strong points.
Solving sample papers: Solving the cbse sample papers will do the same work as done by question papers but it has an additional advantage that it contains the marking scheme of the paper which will come in that particular year. It will also give you the idea of the number of questions that will come and their types like no. of MCQs, Short answers, etc.
Take regular breaks: Do not get too engaged in studies all the time. Remember to take breaks in between to freshen up your mind. Research has proved that everyone’s mind has its own power to work without getting rest. So, when your mind and brain have reached that particular limit, you will start to lose focus on your studies. This is the signal that you need to rest. Understand your mind and body and take rest after every 2:00 – 2:30 hours of studying.
Throw the fear of exams away and just relax: If you will fear your board exam then you will definitely not be able to do well as proved by the research. So in place of taking useless tensions, start the preparations with a relaxed mind. You just need to give your best and definitely the result will be good. As the syllabus is huge and time is less. Don’t waste it in taking tension and stressing out yourself. Focus on studies and utilize every single minute.
Write your board exam answers appropriately: After preparing for the exams and doing so much hard work, now it is the time to reflect it on your answer sheet. You should write the answers according to the questions asked and its weightage in terms of marks. Always write answers up to the mark rather than writing answers which are full of riddles. Make sure to utilize your first 15 minutes which are given to you as a reading time.
Don’t keep too much food on your plate: This means do not try to study everything in a single day, if a chapter is too long and is also hard to understand, try to break it into parts and do not mug up all the parts in a one single day. Take 3-4 days to study that chapter thoroughly.
Have proper food and rest: Remember to have a healthy diet. Many students start ignoring their lunch and dinners which leave them exhausted and they end up tired and sick. Make sure to have some snacks at least 2 times a day (between breakfast and lunch, between lunch and dinner). Also, take proper rest and at least 7 hours of sleep is necessary for a student to study well. Eat a balanced diet that is full of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. It will also safeguard you from the illness which you can face at the time of the exam or near it.
Do meditation: Do meditation when you wake up. It will help you to understand the topics better. Meditation helps you to calm your mind and increases your mental capacity. Students doing meditation daily can focus on their studies very well.
Don’t force yourself to be a morning or evening person: Always remember that everyone is not a morning person who can wake up early in the morning and do study. Some people have that kind of mind which works well in the evening or night. So, study at that time in which your mind is ready. Don’t force yourself to wake up too early in the morning or to study too late at night if you are not comfortable with it.
Take Mock Test: Mock tests are available everywhere. Attempting them is the best way to get familiar with the real examination, environment, and exam day stress.
Work on your weak and strong points: Once you find out your weak subjects or topics, Try to work hard on them and find different ways to understand them. You can also ask for assistance from your teachers or friends. Give extra time to these topics and try to crack them. Polish your strong topics and subjects. These can be very scoring for you and can make a great impact on your result. Prepare them in such a way that you can attempt any question from these topics.

Conclusion

Every student has unique abilities and studying strategies. It is important to keep in mind that these board exams are the most important part of your study. You have to score good in these exams to shape your future in a better way. Give your 100% efforts in exam preparation and don’t be afraid. No need to overstress yourself and study with a calm mind. Follow the above – listed tips, you will surely get the best result. All the best for your Board Examinations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. I am a student of class 10th and very afraid of examinations. What should I do to get rid of this fear?
Ans. Firstly, remember Examinations are not ghosts. Calm yourself, Do meditation, and study hard. Once you start understanding the topics, you will feel confident. Attempt mock tests, previous year question papers, and sample papers to increase your confidence. Try talking to your friends and do group studies. Remember, nothing is impossible and you are capable enough to score well in these examinations.

Q2. Board Examination Pattern remains the same or does it change?
Ans. The Board examination pattern can change but the board will definitely inform you about the new pattern with the means of sample papers released by it or through official notifications. Make sure to go through the sample papers properly and check for any changes.

Q3. How much syllabus is reduced for board examination this year?
Ans. The CBSE has reduced its syllabus due to the disturbance in the study because of the pandemic. You can get the proper information of the reduced syllabus subject -wise on its official website.

Q4. Only classes 10th and 12th have board examinations?
Ans. Yes, Majorly only class 10th and 12th have board examinations but many state boards also have class 8th board examinations.

Q5. Why are Board examinations important?
Ans. Board examinations are very important in a student’s life as they are the evaluation of the knowledge of the students and their preparation level. They help students to understand their strengths and choose their careers accordingly. They strengthen the student’s insight and prepare them for their future. Board exams teach students punctuality, time management, Toleration power, and perseverance. Students get a chance to compete with the students outside their school and learn to face stress and get success.

Q6. What are the Passing marks in the CBSE Board examination?
Ans. The passing marks for the CBSE Board examination are 33%. The student must score at least 33% in every subject to pass the examination. If he/she fails to score 33% in all the subjects, needs to apply for re-examination or the compartment examination.

Q7. Do we need to study the whole syllabus for the Board examinations or there are any selected topics?
Ans. Usually, students are required to study the whole syllabus for board examinations but this year the syllabus is reduced in CBSE. The reduction of the syllabus is done due to the huge disturbance in studies because of the pandemic.

Q8. What are MCQs?
Ans. MCQs are multiple-choice questions. As the name suggests, these types of questions comprise four options and you need to select the right answer. You are likely to get these questions in all your board examinations. Please go through the sample papers released by the board for further information.

Last Minute Preparation Is It Useful

October 4, 2020May 13, 2013 by Saral Study

Examinations bring stress and tensions to those who do not prepare for it beforehand. Most students get into panic mode during examinations. The growing number of suicides by students is a serious indication of the dangerous levels of stress that students go through during exam times. It is important that students realize that examinations are just another test and there is no need to make a big deal out of it. With timely preparation and systematic study techniques, they can do away with stress and related problems.

Last minute preparation for examinations should essentially focus on revisions of the study material and not starting from scratch. Most students spend nights cramming up information for an upcoming exam. This can lead to an imbalance of the body and mind, further leading to reduced mind power, lesser exam preparation and lots of stress. Here are a few tips on how to prepare for an exam effectively, without having to compromise on sleep and rest.

Positive Stress

Stress needn’t be negative always. For students who haven’t spent much time earlier on exam preparation, it is better that you take the stress in a positive manner and utilize the time at hand to prepare for your exam intelligently. Positive stress enhances mind power and the absorption capacity of the brain. Plan the exam by prioritizing important topics and charting the amount of time that you want to spend on each topic. Write down the exams you need to take, the important topics for the subject, the amount of time that you need to spend studying each topic and for the revisions. This way you will effectively utilize the time and also score good marks.

Organise your study space

Clean up your study space and make enough space for your books, notes etc. Cleaning up the clutter around you will free your mind and cause less distractions. This way your concentration will remain limited to your study materials and will not wander off to unnecessary things.

Practice Exam Question Papers

Most students believe in covering the entire syllabus in one night to pass their examinations. It is impractical and illogical as it creates an unnecessary load on the brain and also gives way to unnecessary negative stress. When you have less time at hand, focus on the important topics first. Go through the topics that have greater weightage in taerms of marks and probability of questions. Practice questions that have been asked in earlier years and this way you will be able to attend to maximum questions during the exams.

Revision

It does not matter if you have not been able to cover the entire syllabus. Prepare for the most important questions and the most important topics. Make notes as you study and go through these notes to revise the information that you have learned. This way you can retain the information that you have grasped and remember them for the exams.

Despite the techniques mentioned above, it is always best for a student to plan his studies and prepare for an examination well ahead of time. The last week before the examination should ideally be spent in revising lessons and notes. This way the amount of stress is reduced and a student will not have to compromise on his sleep, food and rest during examinations.

5 Ways to Crack CAT

October 4, 2020April 19, 2013 by Amit Kumar

Common Admission Test (CAT) is one of the toughest and most prominent exams for management education, which is taken by the IIMs for admission in a Master of Business Administration (MBA) Programme. THE CAT exam is an online exam which has two sections, the quantitative ability & data interpretation section and verbal ability & logical reasoning. Each section has 30 questions and the time allotted for it is 70 mins, so a total of 60 questions needs to be answered in 140 mins. Once a candidate finishes the first section, he is not allowed to edit or recheck the first section.

Preparing for CAT

To prepare for CAT a lot of people suggest a lot of ways like, joining proper coaching centers, studying books thoroughly and smartly, or going through different study materials. Here are the 5 simple steps through which you can crack CAT.

1. One of the most important things one should take a note of is that they should practice rigorously. So one should practice more and more but do it in a smart manner because cracking one needs hard work as well as smart work. Be disciplined, create a routine and follow it properly. Try to practice each section for at least an hour or two.

2. Work on your weaknesses. While preparing for CAT one should keep in mind that one cannot have any weaknesses on any portion or section while preparing for CAT.

3. Do not waste time in the examination time, having said that don’t rush into things. Read the questions properly and answer them. Initially, leave the questions which you have doubts in.

4. Stay updated on the current affairs. Make a habit of reading the newspaper daily, go through various magazines and try to follow the news. This will not only update your General Knowledge but will also help your aptitude on Data interpretation.

5. Selecting proper books and study materials is another crucial aspect. One should go through:

‘High School English Grammar and Composition’ by Wren and Martin,
‘Verbal Ability’ by Arun Sharma,
‘How To Prepare For Quantitative Aptitude For The CAT’ by Arun Sharma,
‘Quantitative Aptitude for MBA Entrance Examinations’ by Abhijit Guha,
‘How to prepare for the Data Interpretation for CAT’ by TATA-McGraw Hill publications,
‘How to prepare for the Data Interpretation for CAT’ by Arihant Prakashan,
‘Reasoning and DI for MBA Exam’ by Arun Sharma,
‘Business English and Communication’ by Clark Grade C.