Everyone has heard about the hype around board examinations. In India, the 10th, and 12th board exams are glorified. You might think the hype is something novel. That isn’t true. The stigma around board examinations has stayed around for a while. Your parents have experienced that, your elder siblings and your younger siblings also will. Don’t be fooled into thinking the talk around boards is unnecessary. It exists for a reason. These examinations conducted nationwide play a crucial role in forming your career. 10th board exams decide which stream you’d choose and your junior college whereas 12th board exams decide your career path.
The suffocating societal pressure that comes around with these examinations often causes extreme stress and anxiety in students. This pressure is valid knowing what is at stake. Students spend hours, days, months studying for judgment day. There is an insurmountable amount of performance anxiety students experience while giving board examinations. If students don’t perform well in these exams their careers might fail. They won’t get to study in their chosen colleges. A lot of student’s self-worth is deeply based on what marks they score on these exams. Which makes the whole experience even more stressful and competitive for students.
While many find themselves working well under pressure, such huge amounts of it can overwhelm even the brightest of minds. Students might go blank or get a panic or anxiety attack, which makes all the hard work they put into preparing for the exam useless. This is the worst possible outcome for any student, especially during boards. There are a lot of things that could go wrong during boards. But they aren’t inevitable, they can be avoided easily by following these quick preparation tips.
Understand the syllabus
This step comes as soon as you begin your board examination year. Students should take their time and analyze what the syllabus offers. This step will make you used to the textbook offering a better grasp on the concepts in it, and also gives you an overall advantage over your peers. Since the concepts aren’t exactly new to you. Also, you can try creating a separate notebook for formulas and concepts. This will also help you revise at the last moment. You can also try creating notes as per important chapters, topics or high-scoring topics. This will enable you to prepare your revision as per the exam pattern.
Study plan
The most important step in forming a timetable is realizing that every student is different and each one of them is trying to utilize their time in the best way possible. Some students are most productive in the mornings, while some are during the evenings. Some students are able to utilize the afternoon hours for studying wholesome students feel tired or sleepy. So students should plan their day keeping their body and its needs in mind. They should make two types of study plans – long term and short term. The short-term plan works as a to-do list, where you list the chapters you’re going to complete within the day. The long-term plan includes a schedule for the week and the section that you are going to complete within the week.
Revision
Starting revision early is critical for board examinations. The first revision session will tell you how much you remember and properly understand. Through the second session, you will be able to remove the loopholes. The third session will allow you to strengthen your understanding and concepts. By revising early you also give yourself a chance to clear the doubts generated. If a revision is done at the end moment your doubts wouldn’t be cleared. Revise early after every 3 chapters and avoid cramming.
Paper pattern
CBSE paper pattern seems to change every year or two. Students should check for paper pattern updates on the CBSE official site. Minor differences in the paper patterns can cause significant changes in the study approach. Students should study in accordance with chapter weightage and paper patterns.
Solve practice papers
Nothing can match the amount of exposure that solving practice papers do. Students should start solving question papers from Oswal or from online resources as soon as possible. They can find guidance for formulating answers in online NCERT important questions solutions provided by Vedantu. Solving practice papers helps students conceptualize their answers in an exam-related manner. Papers should be practiced in a time-bound manner. This helps them manage their time better where they can devote adequate time to each question paper section.
Take regular breaks
Students should allow themselves to take proper breaks in order to recover. You might think you will be able to fit more work in if you work for long hours but that isn’t true at all. Through tried and tested study techniques we now know that studying and taking breaks actually allows you to fit in even more work while rewarding yourself for the work done. When proper breaks are taken your body and mind remain happy and it’s easier for you to focus on your studies. Otherwise, everything that exists becomes a distraction.
Be aware of the practical details of the exam
Questions like
Where will it happen?
What time does it start?
Take care of yourself
Getting 8-9 hours of sleep along with a protein-rich diet is essential for scoring well in board examinations. Good sleep allows us to retain information better and focus better. Students should also indulge in any kind of physical activity. This keeps the brain refreshed and other muscles active. Drink lots of water to rejuvenate yourself. Snack every 2-3 hours to avoid fatigue.
With these tips along with your own determination for acing board exams, however stressful, they can be dealt with easily.
