The exam, at any level, can be very stressful. The key to succeeding in exams is being able to study smart and properly so that your efforts essentially translate into impressive performance.
Learning to learn is a very important technique to follow in order to study intelligently. Essentially, it helps you understand how to learn faster and more efficiently while retaining previously learned information longer, which many students find difficult. So here are 5 easy steps to get big results in CBSE exams:
1. Stay focused and try to revise several topics each day
Students tend to keep one topic a day on their to-do list before exams. By doing so, you risk confusing similar information if you study a lot of the same topic in one day.
So, to learn faster, divide your study time for each subject. It helps you stay focused rather than diving into one or two topics.
2. Take notes and refer to them often
During the teaching-learning process, listen carefully and try to understand the concepts being taught. Jot down important points and quickly review your notes.
It helps store information in your long-term memory.
3. Connect what you learn to something you already know
As scientists Henry Roediger III and Mark A McDaniel said in their book “Make it Stick: The Science of Successful Learning”, the more you connect new concepts to concepts you already understand, the faster you will learn new information.
4. Try the ‘Teach your Peer’ method
This is the most effective method that helps you clear things up in your head. Discuss and try to verbally explain your answers to people who may include your parents, siblings’ friends or loved ones.
5. Write structured and clear answers
Students usually ignore giving titles, subtitles, bullet points, etc. when writing answers to subjective questions.
You should always ensure that your answers are better structured and the best practice to follow is to keep answers concise, highlight important points and keep the answer paper clean.
For scientific answers, keep diagrams clean, use flowcharts and diagrams whenever possible.
For math answers, make sure the rough work is visible but kept neatly in a box to the right.
Here are some other tips for getting good exam results:
- Please note that you must answer all the quiz questions even if you don’t know the answer to one or two of them, because a neat, well-structured and complete answer sheet always guarantees a good score.
- If you want to finish your work on time, do not go over the word limit when writing your answers.
- Plan your time between short answers, multiple choice questions and long answers.
- Please write in neat, legible handwriting.
- When preparing for your exams, you should not study for long periods of time. This can lead to exhaustion and you may not remember learned material for a long time.
- You must study with full concentration for a period of 25 minutes, then take a break for 5 minutes. You can resume your studies after the break. Remember, don’t study more than 10 hours a day.
A verse from the Bhagwad Gita “Karmanye Vadhikaraste Ma Phaleshu Kadachana, Ma Karma Phala Hetur Bhurmatey Sangostva Akarmani”. This means you should focus on performing to the best of your ability without worrying too much about results.
Your success depends a lot on your attitude. Be enthusiastic about your topics and use positive affirmations to tell yourself that you will succeed and achieve your goals.
All my wishes!
– Article by Anita Nair, Principal, Orchids The International School, Pune.
View the sample CBSE documents here.
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