So, you want to score high in the exam.
There are numerous tips and tricks to follow. In fact, writing the most important ones is something I have found rather a difficult task.
Here are a couple of the most important ones you can follow. But remember, tips and suggestions vary according to personality, capability, availability, and, above all, the power of comprehension.
Right from the Beginning
1. Understand the Objectives and Scope of Your Course
This is probably the most important of all the topics we’re going to discuss.
“Many students start running blindly along the line of their course, not knowing where to go and how best to complete the run. That’s where their destiny decides their defeat.”
Whatever preparation you do and whatever assistance you gain, your prime requirement is to understand what and how much your course of study asks you to do.
You have a lack of knowledge in a certain area that your course tries to get you out of. This is the aim of your course.
This is generally described as: “In this course, you will learn … …” or “Upon completion of the course, you will be able to do … …”
The detailed description of the course (often divided into several modules) is the scope.
When you know your objectives and the scope, you can determine how much time you should spend on the course and what might be the other requirements.
2. Read, Read, and Read
Unanimously and universally, the oldest way of learning and gaining knowledge, reading has no alternatives.
You may adopt hundreds of tricks. There may be some thousands of assisting friends and websites for you, but you cannot give reading the slightest disregard.
“Blind and forcible reading is something that most students do, especially when they don’t like their subject. The academic process of learning is always monotonous and tiring.”
Remember the previous point? Read keeping the aims and scopes in mind. That will keep you on track and in line.
Concentrated reading also saves time. When you don’t pay attention or just skim through, you only read the text evading the substance of the discussion.
On the other hand, in most cases, it takes only ‘one conscious read-through’ to be able to answer all the comprehensive questions. Only data, like names and measurements, need several attempts to memorize.
3. Manage Your Time
The word routine fits everywhere.
After you understand the objectives and the scope, spend some time deciding how much time you might need every day to finish the course. Then divide the total time into the subjects the course comprises.
Not all subjects require equal time. Thus, having allocated time for individual subjects, you can decide the time span of attention for each.
4. Concentrate on the Class Lectures and Take Class Notes
Most good teachers summarize their ‘today’s lecture’ into several points and start discussing them one after another. Try to get the points and write them down in your class notes.
If you just cannot follow his lectures, try requesting him to tell you the main points or request him to pace back. See how pleased and appreciating he gets. Check here for Tips to Make the Most Out of Your Online Classes
5. Homework
Coming back home, combine your class notes with whatever you have read or you are going to read.
That is how you get the best notes for any of your exams.
6. Memory Tricks
Can’t remember names and atomic masses of the elements?
Don’t panic.
Research on weak memories has so many interesting solutions for you. There are a number of memory tricks that might help you remember data and information that you have dreaded over so far.
7. Tools and Techs
The present world has so many handy and useful tools for students.
Some graphic calculators, for example, let you solve your geometrical problems so easily. Researching on a TI 89, we have found some spectacular features.
There are hundreds of tools, software, and even apps for your smartphone, making your studies just fun.
If you’re interested, sites like this one might help you.
8. Practice Makes You Perfect
Test yourself.
You have got exercise at the end of each lesson. There are tons of free practice tests on the internet. Avail them and make fruitful use of them. The more you practice, the more you get confident and speedy.
9. Breaks: Complete Retreat and Refreshment
Needless to say, you need breaks within your study sessions. The number and frequency of the breaks vary according to your style, habits, and capability.
The point that you need to remember during your break is that it should be completely refreshing. Have some snacks or call your friend, don’t even worry about what you’ve read so far or what you’ll do next. That’s the part of your study session, not of your break.
Same way, don’t let a day off or weeks of vacation ruin by planning your studies or extra coaching.
“The bottom line is, you never forget your lessons when you enjoy break or vacation. You just strengthen your perseverance and concentration by the time you spend in amusement.”
10. Discuss Your Lessons with Your Friends: You’re Not Alone
The discussion has got a new ‘online meaning’ now.
You have thousands of friends online with just your mind and attitude. All you need is to find them, contact them, and join them. We have found so many sites leading you to do this.
11. Never Overstress the Night before the Exam
If you have an unsatisfied preparation for your next day’s test and you plan on ‘doing a rigorous job’ tonight, you’re surely ruining your test with a terrible performance. Such one night’s work would blur your memory and hinder your performance.
12. Beware of Your Food!
Many would frown, wondering what the food has to do with high scores in the exam.
It’s your digestion that is going to influence your performance for the following 12 hours or so. Physicians have written a lot about drinking enough water that keeps your physical condition fit and your performance at an optimal level.
In the Exam Hall
13. Choosing the best question to answer
Sort the questions from easiest to hardest and start with the easiest ones.
Go for the ‘multiple choice’, ‘True/False,’ and ‘short answers’. These are really excellent for getting easy credits.
Try to touch all the questions unless there are negative marking/credits. Sometimes your uncertain answers turn out to be correct.
14. Don’t overstress
Leave the answer that you cannot complete right now. Don’t waste time hammering your memory. In most cases, you can finish it easily after you come back later.
Otherwise, you might run short of time for the answers that you are quite sure of.
15. Watch out! You’re running out of time
Don’t forget to take your watch in the exam hall! Watching for time is always a good habit and saves you from many dangers of unawareness.
That’s what it’s Like
Examinations are not just your learning and writing. They involve all your plans, efforts, and perseverance throughout the course time. You should, therefore, be serious all along.
Exams let us discover ourselves. They impact our life, and we need to be careful about how we prepare ourselves for the oncoming struggles through such tests and exams.
