Tips for Board Exam Preparation - Mistakes to Avoid

It's that time of the year when the rush hour begins, accompanied by inevitable anxiety and stress. As the season of board exams begins, students are naturally prone to tension, worrying, and feeling underprepared. The exam results play a significant role in shaping their future and turning around their career. However, students can avoid this vicious circle by following definite tips for board exam preparation.

Studying hard, retaining everything, and grasping too much can be effective only when efforts turn into results. Most of the time, students must be aware of effective learning methods, which can be tackled by following proper preparation strategies.

Tips to Follow While Preparing for Board Exams

Following are a few effective tips for board exam preparation that students should follow religiously.

1. Plan a Schedule

Discipline improves the quality and functioning of anyone's life. Therefore, it is essential to plan and follow a timetable and stick to it to improve our performance. In addition, planning a routine helps to overview the mistakes and correct them. While planning a schedule, keep in mind the following:

• Sleep early - Do not stay up late; this can damage focus and affect overall health. 
• Wake up early - Early mornings are considered the best time for preparation, as mornings are peaceful and our minds are fresh.
• Plan a study time - Set a time to study, include breaks between the study times, and strictly adhere to it. 
• Take a break - Try to get some fresh air, go for a walk or squeeze in a quick workout. Keep the mind and body active and fresh. 

2. Clear the Clutter

Make a conscious effort not to clutter your mind with exam pressure and unnecessary negative talk. Instead, ensure to exercise your mind constructively and not burden it with too many thoughts. 

• Avoid trying to complete a portion in a day or two
• Plan your study schedule and stick to it
• Start preparing early to give yourself enough time to study qualitatively instead of quantitatively. 

3. Set Targets

Setting targets will help us focus better, and a feeling of accomplishment arises when the target is reached. This imbibes a positive attitude in oneself. When setting targets, keep in mind the following :

• Set realistic targets - Remember that Rome was not built in a single day. 
• Daily targets - Setting small targets for each day will help accomplish more with a more significant effect. 

Example: Select 2 or 3 subjects per head, and try to finish one topic for each. Try learning the topic in depth. This will help you retain the learned topics instead of randomly skimming across 8-10 at once. 

4. Practice Makes Perfect

Practicing question papers will help you understand the exam pattern, assess your time to solve it, and estimate your performance. Try to practice more question papers. This will boost confidence and improve performance. You can practice :

• Previous year's question papers 
• Sample papers 
• Mock exams/Tests
• Diagrams - Draw them regularly to memorize and do not miss on labeling

5. Set a Pattern 

Exams challenge students to think and function in numerous ways. They enable each student's ability uniquely. No two children have the same preparation pattern. Hence, find your pattern according to your learning style and the capacity of focus hours and design a routine. Keep in mind:

• Choose your materials wisely, and make sure it follows the syllabus and is the updated version
• Download materials and papers from reliable sources and websites 
• Reach out to seniors from your school/college to source their papers 

6. Productive Utilisation of Gadgets 

Electronic gadgets can be a distraction but employed rightly can be beneficial too. There are various ways in which you can use gadgets:

• Using alarm clocks 
• Setting countdown timers 
• Apps to induce positivity and peace 
• Apps to keep a check on targets 

7. Focus on Health 

The exam season is an essential phase in every student's life. Hence it is vital to stay healthy and take care of oneself.

• Avoid unhealthy, excessive spice or cold food, which can cause sickness or indigestion. 
• Avoid too much screen time, TV, and desktop. This habit can cause headaches and stress to the eyes.
• Keep your body active and hygienic. 

Mistakes to Avoid While Preparing for Board Exams

The human mind is susceptible to thinking the way one perceives things. Absent-mindedly, many factors affect our minds and can deteriorate our performance. Be mindful of the following factors, as they can negatively affect our minds and learning skills. 

1. Stay Away from Negativity 

Exam season is a sensitive time, and our mind is prone to thinking negatively. Though it's a natural process, students can avoid it in the following ways:

• Do not let people pressure you and create unnecessary havoc.
• Do not succumb to panic; in situations of panic and anxiety, take deep breaths, calm your mind and try to think positively.
• Do not watch programs that can disturb your peace of mind.
• Avoid taking everyone's advice seriously. Listen to their perspective but use your mind. 

2. Not Believing in Yourself

Believing that Mathematics or physics needs inborn talent and not hard work is a false assumption. You let yourself think that you are good at only certain subjects and that other subjects need talent. This mindset is hurting your ability to learn and work on it. Instead, develop a growth mindset where you put in a little extra effort for the subjects you could improve. Allow yourself to make mistakes and learn from them. 

3. Stop Comparison

Your friend is two chapters ahead of you. The class is fast at grasping a concept, and you are not. This comparison needs to stop right away. Understand that every individual has their own pace and way of learning and developing. Observe your pattern and mindset and work accordingly. 

4. Not Giving Yourself Enough Time

Last-minute preparation is certainly not advisable in this case. Instead, give yourself enough time to learn, practice, and revise. Start preparing early. This will also let you enjoy your preparation process and help you remain calm and confident. Moreover, preparing on time can give candidates time to revise important concepts and practice previous years' question papers.

5. Not Practising Enough 

You have learned all the subjects, significantly revised them, and are all set to go, but have you tested yourself? Putting yourself to the test, practicing question papers, and attempting mock exams will help you attain time management skills. Hence, make sure to teach this skill in your preparation.

The exam season can be challenging and stressful. It can drain one emotionally and mentally but remember that you are a tough nut and can achieve everything you work for. So make sure to follow the given tips for board preparation and ace the exams.

Also Read:

• CBSE 10th Preparation Tips
• CBSE 12th Preparation Tips