Exams are important milestones in student life. Exams help to evaluate everything that is studied and analyzed. Through exams, a systematic approach can be possible to every topic that is covered.
Achieving good marks in exams and having high efficiency out of preparation is a dream of every student. A few effective steps can be followed by every student to get maximum output from his preparation. Also, these strategies help the students to overcome fear and become confident. In this article, a few effective strategies that are proven to help students excel in exams are discussed.
10 Best Tips and Strategies to Score Good Marks in Exams
Adding the following strategies in your preparation in a consistent manner can create a large impact and help in gaining good marks.
1. Make a Good Study Plan
A path that is taken without a proper plan can lead to chaos. A systematic approach in preparation can help in analyzing the extent of the syllabus that is covered. Making a study plan can also help in time management and help to give enough time for every topic that should be studied. A study plan should be made based on your study patterns. The study plan should consist of enough time for every topic or subject. Also, make sure to set goals that can be possible. Make constant efforts in adjusting the study plan whenever needed. Plans when executed with hard work and smart work can create wonders.
2. Prepare Study Notes
Many pieces of research proved that a preparation strategy that is equipped with hand-written notes can help in remembering information for a longer period. Writing the detailed information that is given in textbooks or study materials in a simple and precise manner can reduce the burden of revisiting the entire topic during revisions. Try to maintain a separate notebook for every subject. Highlight the important topics. Don’t try to write everything that is given in the textbook, rather try to understand the topic and rewrite it in smaller sentences. A study note should be fine extraction of the information you are studying. Flow charts, Graphs, etc. can be added to the notes so that it will help in understanding the topics in a better way. Add creativity to your study notes.
3. Effective Time Management
Time is like flowing water and one cannot touch the same drop twice. Effectively manage your overall time such that you have time to cover your topics and give enough time to revise the topics. Time management plays a key role in your entire preparation. It means giving dedicated time to each work and making the best out of it. Understand your study pattern and make time table accordingly. Keep in mind to give a realistic goal for your time plan. Making plans that are not feasible can lead to clumsy study life and this can lower your confidence. Prioritize your work. Make your time a little flexible for unwanted circumstances. Always make sure to skip unwanted distractions during your study time.
4. Maintain Your Body Clock
Body clock refers to the time and amounts your body is maintained concerning sleep and eating during the 24-hour cycle. Human bodies are biologically designed to function effectively when a sufficient amount of rest is given. Disturbance in the biological clock can lead to tiredness, decreased response, and problems regarding memory and decision-making. Also, this can affect your digestive system which further leads to many consequences. Make sure to take 6-8 hours of rest while preparing for exams. Have a routine of sleeping at the exact time every day. This gives a habit to your body and makes it function well. Reduction in screen time and intake of caffeine can help you maintain a better clock cycle. Enough exposure to sunlight is also important. Avoid any work during your sleep hours or postpone your sleep.
5. Practice Sample Papers and Mock Tests
Sample papers and mock tests are prepared by subject experts based on the syllabus and exam pattern throughout the years. Taking mock tests can help in exam management where you have to keep a check on the time allotted for every question. Sample papers can help in analyzing the syllabus patterns and this can aid in making changes to existing study plans. They help you overcome the exam fear by making you habituated to the exam environment. Create the exam environment when you are about to take a mock test. Make sure to gather the necessary items for the exam. Attempt the test in a period. Review your answers after completing the exam and work on the areas where you are lagging. Also, restrain yourself from taking any easy steps while taking mock tests. After all, self-discipline is important!
6. Locate Your Weak Points
Along with increasing your strengths regarding the exams, it is equally important to work on your weak points. Identifying your weak points can help in avoiding regular mistakes you have been doing. Enough work and practice in the areas you are weak in can boost your preparation and attain the best out of you. Also, overcoming your weakness can boost confidence, which is necessary to face any exam. Keep an eye on your every activity. This can help you identify the areas where you are behind. Make strategies that can reduce your weak points. If you are struggling to overcome a fear then take numerous mock tests so that you are habituated. If you lack time management during the exam, make attempts to give a restricted time to every question you are attempting. Refer a friend or a tutor if you are struggling to understand a topic. As Swami Vivekananda quotes, “Stop not till your goal is reached”.
7. Understand the Topic Rather Than Mugging Up
A common mistake among the students is to mug up the theories and answers. This can give an image of knowing well about the topics but in reality, this will affect your performance. Memorizing a topic rather than understanding can lead to further mess when there are topics related to and based on it. To understand a topic well, know about the origin of the topic and the result that it is leading to help. Try to evaluate every step that is involved in that topic. A large topic can be divided into smaller topics for better understanding. Information that is learned through analysis can last in memory for a longer period. Also, there are numerous ways in this digital era to learn a topic.
8. Find the Scoring Sections
Regularly, it can be impossible to cover every topic that is given in the exam syllabus. Time constraints may further lead to less time for revision. This can be avoided by finding the scoring subjects on that specific exam. Revision of important topics can be more efficient than wasting time on topics whose chances in the exam are less. Refer to the previous year’s question papers for that exam. Make a note of the topics that are asked regularly and have high weightage in the exam. Asking a senior or tutor can also help in such a case. Make your study plan to cover the scoring sections and revise them regularly. Also, do not completely neglect low-weightage topics, rather give enough time to frame a basic idea on them.
9. Opt For Group Study
This is one of the most effective strategies when preparing for both competitive and board exams. Knowing another perspective on a topic and making discussions on them can improve your subject knowledge as well as help you recall them for a longer period. Gather a group of friends in a good environment for study. Discuss the topics that are prepared well. Make sure to schedule the group study for a particular time. Exchange quality content between yourself. Also, avoid any distractions when discussing a topic. Try to stay organized and focused. If numerous topics are present, try to divide topics among each other and make them explain.
10. Teach Others
Last but not the least, teaching others is one of the best ways to score well in examinations. Make a plan and explain the chapters or important topics to someone else as it will let you judge your caliber. You don’t need to do it with your fellow classmate but with anyone, you feel comfortable with. This process will help you revise the complete topic and strengthen your concept along with making you keep it in your memory for a longer period of time.
Conclusion
Even though students are well focused when preparing for exams, lack of guidance and the right path is leading to performance less. Making enough steps to include some best strategies that are proven to be effective in daily routine can create a larger impact on performance.
The above-given strategies when accompanied consistently can help you score exams with a larger margin. Follow these steps with heart and soul and award yourself with the best results.
