Preparing for success in board & competitive exams

With board examinations fast approaching, it is time for intensive study plans and hectic schedules. Sethuraman PR offers a checklist

Board examinations are fast approaching and the competitive examinations will follow soon thereafter.

This is the time of the year when students in 12th standard, many of whom aspire to become doctors, engineers, scientists and technocrats, put in their complete efforts to secure their future.

These examinations determine the future choices and hence, demand dedicated work and attention from all.

To gain admission in a course of their choice, students need to be aware of their level of preparedness and should take appropriate measures in order to improve them. Self-evaluation propels this dedication and also helps in raising the levels of confidence.

Few important attributes that one should possess to be successful are: confidence, conviction, dedication, commitment, strong memory power and perseverance.

Self-confidence and conviction is one of the prime requisites for becoming successful.
Students should have the conviction that they can transform the impossible things into possible ones.

Perseverance is another attribute that depicts the continued and sincere efforts put in by the individual for achieving the desired results. Strong memory power will enhance the student’s level of achievement by a great level.

Types of questions
Questions in the board examinations are subjective and test your memory power and your level of understanding of the concepts. Further, you have the choice in selecting questions under each section for answering in board examinations.

Questions in competitive examinations are all objective that test your ability in applying the concepts to given situations, analytical skills, speed and accuracy.

Unlike board examinations, you don’t have any option of choosing the questions here and you have to answer all of them. You are expected to choose the right answer for each question from a set of four or five options given and indicate your response in the OMR answer sheet.

Here are some tips to help you through the testing times:
PRIOR TO THE EXAMINATION
Do’s: Streamline your study habits by devoting time for all the subjects with specific time duration on a daily basis.

Practice as many model question papers as you can in a simulated examination hall environment.

Seek the faculty support for clarification of doubts.

On the day of the examinations, have a relaxed composure.

Don’ts: Don’t burn the midnight oil by studying late into the night.

Don’t go for last-minute preparations as it only leads to confusion.

These tips work the same for both board and competitive examinations.

DURING THE EXAMINATION
Tips for the board examination
Do’s: Read through the entire question paper first. There are five sections of questions, carrying 1 or 2 or 5 marks for each question with the option of choosing the questions.

Allot time for answering the questions proportionate to the marks assigned and try to stick to the time that you allot for these questions

Write your answers legibly with the question number written in the left margin. As a priority, answer the questions under sections carrying 1 and 2 marks, if you are confident of them.

After answering the questions with 1 and 2 marks, segregate the rest of the questions into the following categories; Category I: Questions for which you are confident with the correct answers; Category II: Questions for which you are certain to get the right answers after some thought process, Category III: Questions for which you do not know the answer, but may get after deep thinking. Set the priority in answering the questions in the order Category I and Category II.

In case of numerical problems, remember to highlight your answers and also write down all the steps involved very clearly. Be sure to include the units while giving the final answer.

In case of chemical reactions, write down the reactions properly with all relevant details; While answering, draw appropriate diagrams or construct table of data, wherever required.

Leave enough space in between your answers for each question, preferably by drawing a line with pen or colour pencil.

Lastly, try answering the questions under Category III. Since there is no negative marking, you can very well try with your “hunches”. If your answer is right, you stand to gain ; if the answer is wrong, you don’t lose anything.

Above all, it is very important that while answering the questions, make sure that you write the relevant question number correctly on the answer sheet. Revise your answers after completing the paper.

Don’ts: Don’t leave any question unanswered.

Tips for the competitive examination
Do’s: Read through the entire question paper first. This gives you an overall feel of the paper.

Set a time limit for giving your response for each question, taking into account total number of questions and duration of the examination. Categorise the questions as: Category I, II and III as in board examination.

Remember to fully darken the appropriate circle for that particular question number only and not to circle for some other question number. This is a very common mistake that the students commit especially when they are in a hurry.

Keep an eye on your watch so that you don’t spend more time than planned on any question. If there is no negative marking, go with your instinct and answer them.

Double-check your answers after completing the question paper.

Don’ts: Don’t leave any question unanswered. If there is negative marking, don’t attempt unless you are absolutely sure of the answer.

If the above listed suggestions are followed, you can be sure of scoring very high marks in board examinations and an enviable rank in the competitive examinations, paving way for admission into a course of your dream.