Before the exam

*Read all the lessons thoroughly as questions can be picked from any part of the lesson

*Consolidate what you’ve studied into points

*Frame your own sentences for concepts you’ve learnt

*A day before, keep all that you require on the day of the exam, ready (hall ticket, instrument box, writing pad, pen, pencil, eraser, an extra pen, etc.)

*Verify your time-table before the exams begin

*Do not burn the midnight oil, just before / during the examination

*Do not feel nervous; Be aware of your abilities and limitations

*Do not mingle with friends who are scared of exams

On the day of the exam

*Read all questions carefully (look for details)

*Take a minute to recollect what you’ve studied

*Write the answers in the space provided for each question. Usually more space is allowed than actually required for writing the answer

*In case you are not able to write the correct answer within the space provided, write the answer in the additional sheet provided.

*Do not forget to write the correct question number.

*Write neatly and legibly. Do not over-write or erase too many times.  Be neat.

*Do not be in a hurry to answer questions

*When you don’t understand a question, simply go to the next. Do not waste time trying to answer questions you don’t know

*Check whether you have answered all the questions by going through the question paper once again 

*All through keep an eye on the watch

*Try to complete all the questions at least five minutes before the final bell

*After you’ve completed the exam for one subject do not worry about it.  Prepare for the next

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ)

These questions test the understanding / comprehension abilities of students.  They can’t be blindly answered.  Guessing / gambling will not help you in scoring better.

*Read the multiple-choice type questions carefully

*Note in your mind what is being asked (stem)

*Read all the alternative answers, keeping the stem in mind. Choose the best answer

*If one of the alternatives is ‘all the above’ / ‘none of the above’, be extra careful

*First answer all questions you know

*In the second round, answer questions for which another reading is required

*Answer the very difficult MCQs at the end

Short answer questions

Short answer questions test your ability to express the answers precisely without leaving the important points, as well as your ability to draw diagrams / graphs and label the parts.

*Write the answers as complete sentences

*Use proper punctuations

*Write neatly and legibly

Now, here are a few guidelines to answer questions in different subjects. In addition to the multiple choice and short answer questions you will have to take long answer questions in which you have to answer the important points.  The length of the answer is not important. The matching and completion type questions judge your ability to recall the relationships between the words and incomplete sentences.  Be careful in answering them at once.  Do not erase or overwrite the answers here.

Mathematics

Read questions carefully before answering, especially statement problems. Identify the correct formula and substitute the values in the formula. See that you do fundamental operations correctly. Make use of the working column properly

Science

The questions here will be specific.  You should be good at answering to the point. If the questions ask you to write two uses / defects / advantages / reasons, etc., write only two.  There is no need to write more. If the question asked is to draw a neat diagram, write the diagram and also label the parts (if asked).

Social Sciences

Highlight the important points.  Do not explain the same point unnecessarily. Practice drawing outline maps and locating various places, parts / components.

Languages

Pay attention to handwriting, grammar, punctuation, and sentence formation. Write your answers precisely. When writing English pay attention to spellings and in other languages to kagunitha.