How to Study and Score Better in Board Exams

Indiaexam’s Fanpage constantly gets bombarded with queries and requests from students, and we try our best to attend them. So when, Mr Shahzaad Ali, asked us for tips regarding how to study for 12^th board exams, we just couldn’t resist writing about it, the topic being a hot favorite among the students of all ranks and degrees but particularly for those of class 12^th whose board exams are approaching.

So Here’s what you should do and what you shouldn’t:

The do’s:

1.) Study regularly: Many students believe that they can cover the entire course during the exams and tend not to study during the entire session. Don’t do that. Because if you study at the 11^th hour the pressure of the studies will be to bear. Instead, study regularly throughout the session and ease off the study load. Set periods of time that you will spend studying each day. Regular studying times prevent the need for cramming and can give you consistency in your schedule.

2.) Balance. Compress your work and studying into the weekdays and mornings so you don’t need to work all of the time.

3.) Take frequent 5 minute breaks: Take frequent breaks during long studying sessions like when studying for exams. Don’t study for more than two hours at a stretch. Take 5 minute breaks, stroll outside, eat, or read the newspaper. You can even meditate. These breaks help in reducing the lethargy of a long studying session.

4.) Study at odd times: Try studying at odd times and find out when your concentration levels are at their peak. It may be during the dawn, late at night or during the afternoon. (For me it is at 2 o’clock in the morning, when everyone sleeps like logs). Keep the tough subject for then.

5.) Make notes: Whenever you study, make notes of what is important, formulae, diagrams, laws, dates, theorems, etc. in a small notebook (note only the absolutely essential). Thumb through this notebook on the night before the examination for a quick revision.

6.) Use the 12-Year old rule: Study as if you have to teach everything in your course to a twelve-year old. The idea is that you should be able to simplify your subject into easily understandable pictures and metaphors. If you can do this for yourself, it will make your job far easier for remembering later.

7.) Prioritize: Prioritize your subjects for general studying. Start with a tough one, followed by an easy one and then again a tough one. This is break the monotony of the boring or tough subjects and liven up your study schedule (only a  bit though ). If you get bored of studying a subject, postpone studying it for a while and study something you like studying. And when you are through, a bit re-freshened, return to the that boring subject.

8.) Solve Question Papers: Solve as many previous year’s question papers as you can. They will help you get an idea regarding how the paper is set for the exams. You can get Sample Papers from IndiaExam’s Question bank here (Only CBSE though).

The don’ts:

1. Don’t Force yourself to study: While studying, if you feel sleepy, then sleep. Don’t force yourself to study, because the time you spend studying then will be wasted: you won’t get your required rest, neither you will understand or retain what you studied.
2. Don’t use reference books on the last night: NEVER, I repeat, never refer to reference books like Pradeep (especially Pradeep), on the eve of your exams. These books serve no purpose on the last night except confusing you on the last minute. Just stick to your prepared notes and your prescribed course books and just go through them for a final revision.
3. Don’t try to study everything: DON’T try to understand each and every topic (especially in PCM) – many topics may be of higher levels, and instead of clearing your mind they will confuse you.
4. Don’t exert yourself on the eve of the examination: On the last day before your boards, keep yourself tension-free, study beforehand, skip through the pages of your books once and sleep early.

So there. Best of luck with your exams and keep us posted about how these tips helped you. We’d love to hear from you on our Facebook fanpage.

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