How to Prepare for Exams? Everything you need to know before Exams

How to Prepare for Exams? Everything you need to know before Exams.

Two men were asked to cut down a tree and chop it into smaller pieces for firewood. The first man went straight away and began chopping at the tree. The second, on the other hand, spent a couple of hours simply sharpening his axe. The first man considered this a waste of time. As he progressed, he had to use more and more effort, because his axe was blunt, and soon he got tired. The second man, on the other hand, as soon as he finished sharpening his axe, worked swiftly with less effort until his task was accomplished.

What we learn from this story?

A blunt axe means hard work, sharpen the axe, means less effort and less energy required for the task. If the axe is blunt, if one does not sharpen the edge, one must use more strength.

However, wisdom brings success!

How?

Well, Did you ever notice our armed forces?

Even when they are not fighting the enemy forces, they are still undergoing military exercises and playing war games. Because their credo is, “the more you sweat in peace, the less you will bleed in war”.

Means, It’s not how hard you work; It’s how smart you work that makes the difference.

Many people just work on it directly with little or no preparation. On the contrary, smart people prepare things well in advance, accomplishing the job in less time and with less effort.

The best preparation for tomorrow is doing your best today! Because, to be prepared is half the victory.

Therefore, for you, the examination is also a task like cutting a tree, before you answer the questions in your exam paper, you must prepare yourself by answering these SEVEN questions:

• Why you want to write this exam?
• What is your exam is all about?
• How you will study?
• Where you are going to study?
• When you are going to start your revision?
• Which revision techniques you are going to use?
• Whom you will consult when you are in need?

Now, let me help you answer these questions. If you already have answers to these questions, share them in the comment box below.

So, let’s start!

Q1. Why you want to write this exam?

Identify your Objectives

Knowledge, Skills and Capabilities are tested by various exams. These Exams are conducted by Boards, University’s, Government Agencies etc. this is to analyse the person’s progress at various levels. This is considered as the best assessment for analysing performance. Therefore, whenever you plan to write an exam, first you need to define your objectives/ aims/goals for writing that exam. To do that you need to be Smart and your objectives for writing exam need to be SMART – Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Timely.

·       Specific – Be specific and clear, like you are writing this exam because you want to test your own knowledge you gained during the course or you want to qualify for the post/job or you just want the certificate. Be specific and clear.

·       Measurable – Be measurable in terms of marks, grades, percentage, position etc. as nowadays many students just declare, they want to score above 95% but it’s sad they don’t plan ahead. If your objective is to score high, you have to work according to your objective; you can’t just say that you want to and accomplish it without doing anything.

·       Achievable – Your Objective for writing exam must be achievable for YOU in the current situation. Suppose you hold Bachelor degree and you want to write NET exam so that you could apply for lectureship but it is not achievable for you in this current scenario because you are not eligible yet, for NET exam you need to hold at least Master degree.

·       Realistic – Your objective must be real for YOU to achieve because everybody is having different capabilities and interest. Therefore, if you are good in Accounts then you can opt to write CA, CPA exams to boost your career.

·       Timely – You need to specify a certain time frame to accomplish your objective. Your exams are conducted periodically like every year or every 6 months.

So, while identifying your objective be loyal to yourself and create a strong mindset.

Q2. What is your exam is all about?

Know your exam

After determining your objective, you need to have all the information regarding your exam. Information like registration date, syllabus, paper pattern, study materials, exam fees, exam timetable etc.

Q3. How you will study?

Organise your study

Now, you know your objective and you also know your exam. Next, you need to plan and organise your study according to your objectives. You have to

·       Create a timetable for study – For organised study, you need to create your fixed study timetable for each day. It should meet your objectives.

·       Prioritize according to your need – Prioritize your needs, if you are good in theory subjects and weak in Accounts subjects, then you need to put accounts subjects as your first priority.

·       Set time limit – You have to set your time limit for each study session, like 2 hours of study every day. Suppose according to your timetable you need to study three subjects daily and one of them is tough for you then you need to set time limit for each subject, out of 2 hours set aside 1 hour for the subject you find tough and half an hour each for the other two subjects.

Q4. Where you are going to study?

Vary your study locations

Next, you need to decide your study locations. You don’t need to be fixed in this case. Instead, I will suggest you, vary your study location. One of the main reason for the varying study location is your exam location. Generally, you will not write your exam where you study, at least not on the same bench/chair of exam hall, Right! During your study your brain gets trained in specific environment which doesn’t match with your exam centre, as a result, some students get blanked in the exam hall. Therefore, you can study in different places like in your class, home, library, coaching institution etc. anywhere, you can find peace at least.

Q5. When you are going to start your revision?

Start your Revision early

Alright! It is very important to plan your revision ahead and start your revision as soon as possible. If you have six months from the exam then you need to start your revision at least 2 months from the exam. For the first four months, you can set your objectives, understand concepts taught in detail, prepare study notes, set timetable etc.

Q6. Which revision techniques you are going to use?

Your own Revision techniques.

Revision techniques can differ for every individual, so decide and select which suit best to your personality. Basically, Revision is to revise what you already learned, by your own style like

·       Revising through colourful charts/ diagrams/acronym

·       Revising through repeating and reciting in tune

·       Revising through reading and copying

·       Revising through listening and repeating

·       Revising in early mornings or late nights etc.

So, what’s your style for revising? Comment below.

Q7. Whom you will consult when you are in need?

Ask for help.

Everybody needs help at some time or the other. If you are stuck in the middle of something, consult your teacher, tutor, family or friends, you may find them like a lifesaver. Clear all your doubt and shine and bright as you can!

All right! That’s it for today.

I hope if you need any help you will include me as well, you can reach me by commenting below publicly or email me personally through the contact form at the end and if you found this helpful and want more exam tips like this then comment, share and subscribe! Subscribe to Learn At Ur Desk by Email 

Till then take care and keep learning!