On hearing the name of the exam, the heartbeat of most students increases. Be it school board exam, college university exam or preparation for any competitive exam – everyone experiences nervousness and stress. Often we get worried thinking about how the paper will be, whether we will be able to remember everything or not, and whether we will be able to write on time or not.
Actually, the exam is not just a test of studies but also tests your preparation, planning and mental balance. If you take care of some small things, then not only can you score good marks but can also reduce the fear of exams. Let us know 10 such important tips, by adopting which you can appear in your next exam with confidence.
1. Have complete information before the exam
Often students reach the exam without seeing the pattern of the paper properly and then make mistakes. For example, suppose there are three questions to be solved in the paper but you have solved only two. Such a mistake can lower your entire grade by one mark.
There is an anecdote about a friend of mine – he was always considered the fastest in the class, but once in a history paper, he solved only two questions while he had to solve three. What happened was that he studied all night and in nervousness, he did not read the front page of the paper properly. The result was that despite so much effort, he could not score good marks.
That is why it is important to understand the syllabus and format well before the paper. Look at the question papers of previous years, ask the teacher or read the guidebook. And when the paper comes in front of you, first of all read the instructions carefully. If you do not understand something, then without hesitation ask the invigilator sitting in the examination hall.
2. Practice writing fast and clear
Many times we feel that writing is easy, but when the time limit comes in front of us in the real exam, then we realize that writing fast and clear is also an art. If your handwriting is very messy, the examiner’s mood may get spoiled, and if you write slowly, you will not be able to complete the answers on time.
The best way to do this is to time the previous years’ papers. Give yourself the same environment as in the real exam – keep a clock, and try to solve the entire paper in the given time.
Also, choosing a good pen matters. Some people can write faster with a gel pen, while others with a fountain pen. Practice with whatever is convenient for you. With small exercises, your hand will become fast and your handwriting will become neat.
3. Be realistic
Many students try to show so much in the paper that they get stuck before time. If you have 45 minutes for an essay, then plan accordingly – introduction, three main points and conclusion. If you try to put five-six points, it will remain incomplete and the impression will be spoilt.
A short but complete answer is always better than an incomplete long answer. Suppose you have been asked to write an essay on “Gandhi’s Movements”. Now if you list each movement and write half a page or one page and are unable to give a conclusion at the end, then you will lose marks. But if you write about the three main movements in detail, with examples and impact and give the correct conclusion, then you will get good marks.
4. Read each question carefully
Sometimes the question is simple but the language is twisted. If you read in a hurry, then you do not understand the real thing and you start writing in the wrong direction.
For example, if the question is – “Discuss the social causes of the French Revolution” and you start writing the political reasons, then the answer will be considered wrong, no matter how well you write.
So, read each question at least twice. If you do not understand any word or sentence, then first clarify its meaning, then start writing the answer.
5. Divide the time properly
Time management is the most important thing in the exam. No matter how much you study, if you are not able to complete the answers on time, your hard work will be wasted.
Make a small plan before the exam. For example, if the exam is of three hours and you have to write three long essays, then spend 15 minutes on reading and planning the questions, 50 minutes on each essay, and the last 15 minutes on checking.
Some people adopt another method – they write the main part of each essay first and add the conclusion at the end. Whichever method suits you, stick to it.
The most important thing is to maintain discipline. If you have decided to spend 20 minutes on the first question, then do not spend 25 minutes. Otherwise the last question will remain incomplete.
6. Start with the easy ones
Many students think that they should solve the difficult questions first so that the stress is reduced. But this often breaks the confidence because the difficult question may take more time.
I always recommend starting with the easy questions. When you write your first answer well, your mind becomes calm and your confidence increases. After that, it becomes easier to focus on difficult questions.
For example, if there is a topic in the paper on which you have practiced repeatedly, then start with that. This initial victory sets the tone for your entire paper.
7. Plan for a long answer
Before writing an essay or long questions, a little planning is necessary. If you start writing without thinking, you may deviate from the topic in the middle or forget important points.
Planning does not mean that you spend half the time in planning. Just give a few minutes and write small points – introduction, main points and conclusion. Then write the answer based on that.
Remember, planning will help you.
8. If you make a mistake, don’t panic
Sometimes it happens that your mind goes blank or you suddenly realize that you have solved the wrong question. In such a situation, panicking will only increase the problem.
First of all, stay calm. If you have solved the wrong question, then immediately take a note and start a new answer. Try to write as much as you can remember in bullet points. Examiners often understand that the mistake has been made in panic and give as many marks as possible.
Remember, everyone makes mistakes. The only difference is that some people manage it and some people panic and spoil everything.
9. Ask for extra pages in time
If you write fast and know that more pages will be required, then don’t wait till the last moment. As soon as you feel that the pages are about to end, raise your hand and ask for a new page.
Sometimes the invigilators walk slowly and your time gets wasted. If you ask for the pages in advance, you can keep writing without stopping and there will be no mental pressure.
10. Do not leave before the exam
Sometimes it seems that everything is done and you should leave early. But this is a big risk. If you remember later that you missed a question or made a mistake in an answer, you will have to regret it.
So, sit in the hall till the end. Re-read your answers, correct the wrong words, check the spelling and complete the incomplete sentences. These small corrections can increase your marks.
Conclusion
Success in the exam depends not only on memorizing but also on the right strategy, time management and mental balance. If you follow the above 10 tips, you will not only be able to score good marks but will also be able to face the exam with confidence and peace.
Remember, the exam is not the end of life. This is just a stage where you show your hard work and discipline. Even if you don’t do well once, it is an opportunity to learn. But if you follow these tips, your results will definitely be better next time.