Brace yourself for the pre-finals

The new calendar year heralds the last leg of the academic year for all educational institutions attached to various Indian Boards.  ICSC, ISC, CBSC and State Board affiliated pre-degree institutions officially enter the last term of the academic year in January.

And for those in their tenth, twelfth and PU courses, it is also the time for their ‘Pre-Final Examination’ (pre-final).

Pre-final comes as a model to the students on what to expect for the Board examination and its objective is therefore to fortify their preparations for the same. Yet, the vast majority of the students tend to take the pre-final very lightly. A sense of urgency is never attached to these exams. Preparations are lukewarm and the attitude is laid-back.

Planning ahead

However, if students take to these exams with better preparation it would help them immensely in facing the Board Examination due in a few weeks. Putting together some common guidelines given by renowned academicians, these few tips will help students prepare for the pre-final effectively and reap the accruing benefits arising out of the exam.

Take the exam seriously: Do not belittle the pre-final; take the exam seriously and prepare for it in all earnestness. Take a good look at the various subjects, their syllabi to be covered. Compare this with the actual knowledge that you have. Do a thorough self-evaluation of your current readiness to face the pre-board examination. If there are huge gaps take stock of the situation and chalk out a remedial course of action without losing any further time.


Categorise and prioritise: Different subjects require varying approaches and intensity of study. Based on your strength of your fundamental concepts, no two subjects will need the same amount of concentration and effort. Identifying, categorizing and prioritizing efforts and time on these criterions will make study effective. Get extra help in areas that are challenging and burdensome.

Introduce variety and study-aids: Do not be overwhelmed at the size of your portions or its magnitude. Introduce some variety into your study time. Combine strenuous, problem-solving work with light reading. Mix memorising definitions with studies of lighter intensity. Such an approach will be less tiring and will break the monotony and boredom in studies. Make notes and picture cards to enhance your memory. Keep a book for formulae, definitions and some quick references. Try to have meaningful discussions and exchange of knowledge with your peer group. It will help you deepen your understanding and broaden your insights.

Plan your study-time: Take time to plan your preparation for the examination. Chalking a quick time-table for studies will help you in good time management. Ear-mark your study time clearly between various subjects. Base your judgements on such factors as the size of the topics, their importance and your strengths and weaknesses.  Once you have planned your work, stick to it religiously. It will give you the feeling of being in control which will ease out your anxieties and help you study more efficiently.

Get adequate nourishment: Food is as essential for the brains as it is for the body. Avoid junking and aeriated drinks. Try to eat wholesome and nutritiously prepared home food.  Plenty of green vegetables, fruits, fluids in the form of unsweetened juices and soups, dry fruits and nuts keep the immune system healthy and any seasonal viruses at bay. A buoyant body keeps the mind sharp and the brain cells functioning at its maximum capacity.

Take sufficient rest and sleep well: All study and no play is counter-effective in keeping the mind alert and fresh. Take short spells of break and relax the mind by listening to music, playing a quick outdoor game or a short walk around the neighbourhood park. Refrain from keeping the mid-night oil burning in the eleventh hour. It is no panacea for all the time lost. Less sleep makes the brain dull and weary. Try to get a minimum of six hours of sleep and rest. This will help the mind to assimilate and store in the memory all the work and study done during the day.

Pre-final is a precursor in instilling confidence for the forthcoming board examination. It is not the final examination and unlike in a semi-final, there is no loser. The final chance to do it right in the Board examination is still available to you.  So brace yourself and give it your best for the forthcoming pre-final examination.