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Exam Pressure

How to Pass The Exams

A student at any level or stage of education is afraid of examinations. Be it a primary class or a Xth examination, students have this examination phobia. Even after preparing well the student feels nervous and insecure. Examinees need not remember everything verbatim. Only the salient points of each chapter or lesson should be clear which could be elaborated as required. Which implies that it is imperative to comprehend rather than to cram. To pass an examination whatever one reads and learns has to be reviewed and analyzed as per the questions asked in the examination.

Making Notes

It is a very good habit to make notes of what you read. Newton, Einstein, R.L. Stevenson, Charles Darwin, and other great people prepared notes for their studies. The advantages of making notes are
  1. This is a condensed form of the matter studied and can be used to read, understand and revise.
  2. Notes are an expression of the matter studied, in one's own words.
  3. With the help of notes one can easily remember the main ideas and important details.

It is processed, cooked form of the whole material ready for digestion. Therefore, do not miss making notes of what you can hear or read.

When To Use Notes

  1. Try to understand the study matter especially its implied principle or theory.
  2. It is not proper to read again and again at a time, you must read at intervals. Fifteen minutes of regular study is far better and effective than doing nothing throughout the week and then reading for hours together.
  3. Instead of reading again and again and trying to cram things, it is better to read carefully once and then recapitulate it. Research has proved that reading a thing immediately again gives only 7% more understanding and reading it the third time increases the understanding by only 1%. It means the achievement is not commensurate with the time consumed.
    Therefore it is better that:
    • You become clear about the subject/topic.
    • You question yourself on the topic or about which you have to answer.
    • You make brief notes.
    • You test yourself.
    • You apply the knowledge gained.
    • You try to visualize everything, recollect all the important points and comprehend it not partly but wholly.
    • You do not try to finish up the unit forcibly. Read as much as you deem proper and then stop.
    • Having read the chapter you revise it again within the next 8 hours.
    • If possible do not change the place of study.
    • Keep your back straight while studying. Sit erect. Do not resort to easy postures.
  4. It is essential to solve old question papers.
  5. Answers should be properly arranged, neat, clear and only conceptualized and not at all irrelevant.
  6. While answering the paper always answer those questions first which you can handle well.

Important Advice

Prepare fully. "What to read and what to leave" is a wrong attitude. Do not leave or set aside the question asked in the previous papers. Take care of small things, like your pen, pencil, and ink/refill. Your ink must be brilliant and you must have an extra pen. Your writing must be clear and legible. A bad handwriting annoys the examiner. Keep your watch well set and in order. Take care of your handkerchief, spectacles etc. Every small thing has its own importance. Take care of everything, God is always willing and keen to grant you success. Only you must be sure how keen you yourself are!!