HOW TO ACHIEVE SUCCESS IN EXAMINATIONS 1.

Planning Course Material

Select the book which adequately covers the topic you are studying. You may also select different
books for different topics

The key to selecting the right text book is consulting your teachers / senior students. You may
also refer the list of recommended reading available on the website

The All Essential Plan

Panic makes you think less clearly, so avoid it by starting work early.

Lecturers/tutors assume that you will decide for yourself what and when to revise and may give
little direction.

A Good Plan Helps You:

Identify if you are spending too much time on a topic

Know what you have already done.

Know what still needs to be done

Prioritize things for effective studying.

Factors be Considered When Planning

Study Sessions should be from one to three hours

Have a definite break every hour

Avoid late hours

Revision for other papers at the same time

Family commitments, relationships, friendships

Contingencies such as illness

How much sleep you need

Plan recreation and relaxation into your time table

Monitoring Your Plan Check your plan regularly to see how well you are doing. You may need to amend
your plan, e.g. if something unexpected happens or if some revision takes longer than expected. Sample
Plan The Sample Plan should contain the following columns:

Name of Topic

Source of coverage

Time required

Completion status

Revision 1
Revision 2

2. Preparation Where to Study

Always in the same place

Choose a warm, light, well ventilated room

Away from other distractions

Properly furnished

Summarising Key Points

Dont make long notes in the form of paragraphs, which you may find difficult to learn and retain

Your notes should ideally be in the form of pointers which are easier to remember and quicker to
revise

Underline important points

Even if a paper involves mathematical calculation it is still very important that you study the theory
also to learn the concepts and logic behind the mathematical workings and formulae.

Principles of Understanding

Always aim for understanding

Look for examples to illustrate the topic

Promote understanding by rearranging material, questioning the ideas and looking for links with

old ideas
Consider your topic from all possible angles

Principles of Memorizing

Never memorize something that you dont understand

Always try to link new material with what you have previously learnt

Select the important items to remember

Organize the material into a meaningful system

The sequence of memorizing should be the same as the logical sequence of the material

Long pieces should be memorized in shorter chunks

Go over notes, reading etc. within 12 hours of writing, reading etc.

Try to master each topic before leaving it but do not spend so much time that other areas or
subjects are ignored

Over learn. Dont stop when you have only just learnt something
Start each session with a review of the previous session

Mock Examinations

Atleast 10-15 days before the end of the leave conduct real time mock examinations
Self assessment

Make an assessment of your answers by responding to the following questions related to the marks
gained: - What were your total marks? - How many marks were lost because you did not understand the

theory? - How many marks did you lose as a result of simple errors in your responses? - How many
marks were lost because you could not interpret a question or you answered a different question from the
one you were asked? - How many marks were lost because you ran out of time?

Identify weak areas

Work on weak areas

Go through the examiner comments

Actually attempt the questions and do not just go through the solutions

3. Attempting the Paper Examination Techniques

Controlling the anxiety is the key

Arrive early at the exam to avoid panic. Be on your seat atleast 10 minutes before the
examinations. This will reduce your anxiety and allow you to sort out issues which may consume
your time during the examinations.

In the exam, spend the first 5 minutes glancing through the paper to make sure you understand
the instructions and to decide which questions to answer first.

Read the question very carefully until you know exactly what is required

Note any special requirements e.g. list, detail, advise, explain, report etc.

Budget your time for each question in proportion to the marks given. Stop working on it when that
time is up, return to it if you have time to spare.

Spending too much time on favorite topic at the expense of others may cost you the exam

Repetition of the same point using different descriptions does not fool the examiner & only wastes
time

The first 50% of the marks of a particular question are the easiest to get; the next 25% are
harder; the last 25% are the hardest. If you run out of time: two half answers may get more marks

than one full one; jot down the main points to include while they are in your mind and return later.
Write clearly so the examiner can read your work. Number answers correctly.

QuestionsHow to Answer Them Possibilities for organizing your information in an exam include:

First plan your answer as to how you want to go ahead with your answer

Give a clear opening paragraph, present information in a clear order, a final paragraph drawing
conclusions/summarizing. The opening paragraph should be linked with final conclusions through
one of the following ways:

- step by step points where there is a sequence or stage - a main initial point to make an impact which
you then develop - Putting different sides of an argument - Grouping theories/concepts through a theme

Present your work well. Headings and a good layout make your work easier to read

Tables and graphs need to be clear with correct labeling

Use practical examples to illustrate the points made subject to the availability of time and
requirements of the question. It may not be practical to give examples where only brief answers
are required

As far as possible give answers in pointers showing the main heading and then describing it
in appropriate details as per the requirements of the question. Just by giving pointers you can
atleast secure some marks and convey your knowledge to the examiner.

Scenario Type Questions How to Answer Them

It has been noted that most students only give the conclusions in such type of questions

The most important aspect of giving such questions is to test if you have understood the concepts

Therefore the key to such questions is the reasoning and not the conclusion

The examiner is interested in the thought process that went into the conclusion.

You can conclude correctly without any reasoning, by sheer guessing you have a fifty percent
chance of getting it right. The examiner knows this and therefore no marks are allowed for
guessing the conclusion you must support it.

If you have proper reasoning that forms the basis for your conclusions you can atleast get pass
marks even if your conclusion does not match with that of the examiner.

How to Improve the Presentation of Your Scripts

Marks that you will obtain for your answers depends on two factors:
- what you answered - how you answered

Start each new answer on a new page

The arrangement should be pleasing to the eyes

Write a fairly large and legible handwriting. But you should not try to change your style just for the
examinations. You will have to practice it before the examinations

Write your headings boldly

Use a dark ink and medium pointed nib

Leave space between subsections of answers

The subject matter should be broken up into small paragraphs

Use Apt sub-headings as it attracts the attention to the main divisions of the chapter

The sentences should be short and crisp

Make cancellations and corrections neatly

Insert new words or sentences legibly and in an orderly way

Watch your spelling and punctuation as it helps quick reading & prevent misunderstanding

Most Commonly Made Mistakes

Not resting adequately before the paper

General instructions given on the answer scripts and sent with the admit card are often ignored

Questions are not read carefully

Not planning before attempting the question

Getting stuck over a single question

Not clearly stating the assumptions used

Not being quick enough

Presentation and workings not clearly shown

Students do not complete the paper more due to selective studies and not because of the length
of the paper

Students tend to repeat points

Irrelevant points are given

Coping with Nerves

Stress can be good - it can make you mentally alert. You will do better if you see stress as
positive, and exams as a chance to show what you can do, not as a way of tripping you up.

Work out what to do if you panic. Take deep breaths

Do good revision/preparation.

Find out in advance as much as possible about the examination centre or the exam room.

Identify what to do in the first 5 minutes of the exam in what order and stick to it.

Make yourself comfortable for the exam (eg warm/cool clothes, handkerchiefs etc)

Calm yourself beforehand (e.g. visualize a pleasant scene, distract yourself)

Avoid being overtired (is it worth staying up late to cram in extras?).

Avoid last minute revision. Trying to remember facts then may block out 'deep learning' (i.e. of
concepts and principles)