5 Tips For Last Minute Study Before Board Exams – For Students

Regular study with lots of practice over a period of time is the best way to prepare for exams. But there is no doubt about the fact that last-minute study before the exams determines to a large extent – how many marks you eventually get. If you are the parent of a child who is taking board exams – pass on these 5 tips.

Whether you have studied from the beginning or completely neglected studies – this is not the time to panic  and imagine extreme situations and worst case scenarios. Make a plan and utilize the time you have left effectively and do the best you can.

Follow this 5 point plan for effective last-minute study

Take care of your brain

The brain is the one organ in your body that you are going to need the most to do well in your exams – so treat it well.

1. Eat nutritious food. Do not eat big meals. Instead focus on small nutritious snacks. Avoid junk food.
   Also read During exams allow your child to skip meals
2. Sleep enough Sleep is essential to shift whatever you have studied from short-term memory to long-term memory. Without enough sleep you are unlikely to remember what you study for very long. Sleep is also essential for focus – and to understand the question and remember the answer. Not getting enough sleep can be the biggest mistake you make. And it could lead to a poor result in spite of good preparation.

Spend time making a plan

No one can succeed without a plan. Failing to plan is planning to fail.

1. Don’t run away from subjects you are weak in. The board exam results are an aggregate percentage of all your subjects and doing very badly in one subject can ruin your overall result – even if you have done extremely well in the other subjects. Study all the subjects and spend more time on subjects you are not good at.
2. Don’t just read text Practice diagrams, tables and graphs. A lot of marks are assigned to these. And it is also possible to get full marks in these – in contrast to text answers where marks can easily be deducted if you miss a few words. And doing well in these can be an easy way of pushing up your score

Don’t revise randomly

Clever revision is the secret to doing well in the exams

1. Start preparing for the exams in the reverse order. Prepare first for the last exam and plan it such – that you start preparing for the first exam about 2 weeks before the date.
2. Write formulae, theorems, definitions and other points that you tend to forget – in bright colours on chart paper and stick them in your room where you will be able to constantly see them
3. Revise using old question papers. It will tell you whether or not you have learnt the topic in a way that you can actually write it down in the exam. If you find that you don’t know an answer – don’t panic. Open the text-book and learn the answer. Many old questions are likely to be repeated in the exams.
4. Make cue cards for things that you find difficult to remember and carry them in your pocket when you go for a walk. Read these cue cards outside the house in fresh air. You will remember things better when you change your location.
5. Study in 3 hour slots when you are revising so that it helps you practice the intense concentration that you will need during your exams which will be of the same duration.

Avoid stress and panic

A small amount of stress can help you perform better. But too much stress can destroy you by freezing your brain.

1. Start studying The best way to reduce the stress of not knowing enough – is to plunge into action and start studying
2. Stop comparing Don’t worry about what other people are doing. Even if they have studied everything and you have not – it is not going to help you get marks. Concentrate on doing what you can do. Forget about others.
3. Take breaks If you are so stressed that you can’t study – take a break and go for a short run or walk. If that does not help speak to a parent or teacher who you think may be able to help.
   Also read Academic Pressure :15 Ways To Manage Pressure Of Studies In Students

In the exam hall – capitalize on what you know

There is no place for regret in the exam hall. Just plunge into action. And remember that escape is not an option.

1. Write neatly Even if you know very little  – make sure write what you know in the exam. Also present it well. Make a diagram for it if possible.
2. Read the question carefully. Answer what is asked and don’t miss out on some sections of the question. Don’t try to make the answer long by writing in circles around the topic. Answer to the point and write neatly without cutting and scribbling.
   Also read How To Overcome Exam Fear And Phobia ; 4 Tips

Exams are not the end of the world. They are just a sample of the challenges that will be thrown to you later in life – they are designed to prepare you to meet these challenges.​ If you do not do well in these exams you can do well in the next exam. But for now – walk in with a positive attitude and do your best.