Examination techniques and preparation
(Special for the forth coming HSLC and Higher Secondary Examination -2014)

Khupminthang Khongsai *

Students appearing for Exam at Bamon Leikai, Imphal in March 2013 :: Pix - Deepak Oinam

"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their Dreams."
- E.Roosevelt.

Cracking any examination needs definite mental and physical preparation. If exam is at hand, put all worries aside and use the available time to ponder on what will lead you to automatically prepare for the said. If you are confused then you should switch your attention to something entirely different. Meditate and ensure that what you have intended to do is right and do it immediately. Analyze all the factors, take decision and always adhere to it. In order to cure Exam phobia, win confidence first because success and confidence go hand in hand. To achieve self confidence you should always think of Success and forget about failure.

Thinking Success condition your mind to create a plan to attain Success. My Friends, your exam result depends on how much you know and or how well you can put what you know within 3 hours. But your result can also depend on how you feel. Nerves distractions, poor concentration or negative attitude can pull down your performance. Below are the techniques:

1) Check number of exams, where points can be made up, and material to be covered, equipment needed, exam dates.
2) Make a Timetable of Revision.
3) Develop a Daily Routine leaving time for Study.

Revision: It Is the opportunity to revisit or go over material, to refresh your memory, to focus on key themes. It is a chance to put pieces of information together so that everything begins to make sense. Revision is not a time to be learning new material. Instead, it is a time to understand more, the material you already know. In order to revise efficiently, you need to keep good, concise, accurate study notes. Take good notes when studying.

Revision: Some Suggestions.

1) Try answering questions from past papers or seek out questions you are likely to be asked and practice them. (Check assumptions)
2) Practice writing in a timed situation.
3) Study Groups.(discuss with your friends)
4) Timetable for Revision, Update/Change.
5) Make Flash Cards for last minute revision and to help the memory.

Before the Exam:

Make sure you are properly registered. Check date, time, place of Exams.

Check the timetable carefully. Visit the Centre/ building beforehand if unsure or nervous. Prior Notice of Special. Needs\Requirements given.

The Night before the Exam:

1) Do not cram information.
2) Relax. Do something that will entertain you, (read Joke books, watch Mr. Bean Disc, never go for condolence or somewhere else..Keep staying at home)
3) Last minute revision to important topics only.
4) Gather equipment together,(Admit Card, pen, pencil, Instrument box etc) CHECK
5. Get a good night sleep. The examination is going to make you use your brain, so getting a good night sleep is important to give your brain at proper rest.

WHAT YOU NEED.

1) Get an early night and Morning of the Exam: Sing the Nursery Rhyme" early to bed and early to rise make a student's brain sharp and pass in the exam"
2) Have a good breakfast.(Avoid oily foods)
3) Leave plenty of time for the Journey.
4) Do not get stressed.
5) Bring everything you need, equipment, spare pens and pencils, ID card etc.

At the Exam Hall:

1) Use a selection of pens, stops fingers becoming sore.
2) Settle in, be comfortable.
3) Check instructions, time allowed, how many questions have to be answered.

The Exam Paper:

1) Check Instructions.
2) Read all the questions, CAREFULLY.
3) Pick out questions you prefer ,mark on it.
4) Jot down points for each question, in order of importance.
5) KEEP ALL ROUGH WORK (in math's, Phy. and Chem. subjects)

Answering the Question:

1) Keep to the Question. Answer the Question rather than write what you know
2) Write carefully and clearly and in an organized manner, watch grammar too.
3) One suggestion is to begin with the question you know best. Puts you at ease, gives time to think about other questions.
4) When answering one question, jot down points relating to other questions. Then when you come to answer other questions, you will have many points to discuss / analyze/ mention.

The Exam Paper:

If you finished all your questions early, then re-read your answer sheet. Check for mistakes, put in new ideas if you can. Do not scribble. If you are running out of time, jot down points on your answer sheet. It shows to examiners that you know the material and you will get some marks for this.

Exam Nerves:

* Do not panic, become stressed Practice deep breathing to help keep calm.
Remain confident, "I can do it. Think positively. Each time you get a question right, say there's another point I've put in the bank.
* The first thing a lot of students do when they get stuck on a question is to look around to see how everyone else is doing. What they actually see is that others are filling in their answers scripts. That's when negative thoughts start building.
"Look how well everyone is doing….I must be the stupidest
One here…What's wrong with me !Those thought won't do you any good. If you start thinking that way, try to remember that,
#you are not the worst one in the room
#just because others are filling happily on their answer scripts does not mean that they are filling the correct answer.
# thinking about what someone else is doing doesn't help you answer even a single question. In fact, it takes away your time you should be using.
* Do not become upset when you can't answer a question. No one is expected to score 100 % in the examination.
* Each time you find a question you can answer, congratulate yourself and start looking for the next one.

TOP 20 Examination Tips

(Life is no more a LUCK but a Choice)

1. Be sure to use the exam requirements, recommended literature and mock papers.
2. Complete the mock first without consulting the answers. Then make sure to carefully read and understand the feedback.
3. Have all necessary material with you. You can't borrow items such as pens, pencils, rulers or special equipment while in an examination.
4. Have a relaxing night before your exams. Have an early night, and try to have a healthy breakfast.
5. Make sure to allow for plenty of time when travelling to the exam location. Enter an exam well-rested.
6. Read the entire paper. Where you have choices, decide which ones you plan to answer. Read the question very carefully. Consider what precisely is being asked.
7. Plan your time. Spend some time drafting a plan for the questions you choose to answer.
8. Jot down ideas as they come to you. While you are answering one question, information about another may suddenly occur to you. Jot it down somewhere because when you come to that question perhaps an hour later, you may have forgotten it.
9. Start with the easy questions. Do not get stuck on difficult ones, but put those questions aside and return to them later.
10. Often, first impressions are best. Therefore, do not change your answers unless you are absolutely certain that you have made a mistake.
11. When you compose the entire answer yourself: make sure you write clearly
12. Be Specific. One of the frustrating things for examiners can be that they can see the candidate knows about the topic, but is not being specific enough in their answers. The marks are awarded for specific words or terms being mentioned in the answer, therefore be sure to use the keywords of the topic.
13. Don't leave any questions unanswered. If you are short of time, use note form. Remember, you can only be marked on the answers you give.
14. Never leave the room early. If you have time at the end, go over your work, add information (e.g. in the margin). You can't return if you suddenly remember a fact after you have left.
15. Do not spend too long on multiple choice questions. With multiple choice questions it is best to cover the answers and work out your own before looking at the choices on paper. If you can't answer the question come back to it later - have a guess.
16. In the case of multiple choice questions: think of your own answer first before looking at the answers listed on the page.
17. When running out of time If, despite your time management technique, it is clear that you are not going to finish, then adopt this simple technique.
18. Lets say there are five questions left and only ten minutes... spend two minutes on each and give a partial answer to each. Because majority of the marks for a question are gained in the first couple of minutes where you write down the key words and ideas. The extra time gains the bonus marks and it takes more time or writing to get these.
19. Maintain a stable energy level. Eating foods such as chocolate bars before an exam might give you an energy boost to begin with but your blood sugar levels will drop within an hour and your energy will plunge dramatically, making it hard for you to concentrate.
20. When you finished, check carefully whether you have answered all the questions. Then check the No. of Questions and the No. on the answer scripts to be sure that you 're putting it correctly.

Life is no more a Luck but a Choice.

ALL THE BEST