With exams for all classes set to kick-start in less than a month, it is time for students to hit the books. This doesn’t mean that you just sit down and start cramming everything. There has to be a study plan and strategy. Without this, it will be difficult to cover the entire syllabus and revise it before the exams.
So what should be the study plan? According to Manmeet Kaur, a Science teacher at Apeejay School, Model Town, it is important to have a proper study plan. “With less than a month left before the exam starts, it is imperative that students make a schedule and stick to it. For instance, if the student has listed that he/she will finish a particular chapter in three days, they must stick to it or else it will have a ripple effect on the other subjects as well,” Manmeet said and shared strategies that students must follow.
Avoid Cramming:
· Students should refrain from cramming information, especially during exams.
· Cramming does not promote a deep understanding of the topics.
“It has been found that students, especially those in classes VI and VII go for rote learning. This is a strict no-no for several reasons. First, the student won’t be able to properly answer the analytical-based questions. Second, if they forget a word, they will find it difficult to recall the entire sentence,” Manmeet warned.
Understand Concepts Thoroughly:
· Focus on understanding the concepts rather than memorising.
· Deep understanding helps in tackling twisted or complex questions.
“It is necessary to understand the concepts. Once the student has grasped the concepts, he/she will be able to answer any question that can be asked related to that concept,” Manmeet said.
Prioritise Easier Topics First:
· Start with topics that are perceived as easier by the student.
· This ensures proper time allocation and effective revision.
“Always tackle those chapters first that the student finds easy. They should then spend time on the tougher chapter. This way at revision time, they can quickly skimp over the easy chapters. Otherwise, the student will spend time over tough chapters leaving no time to read the easy chapters. He/she may end up losing marks on something that they knew well,” Manmeet advised.
Time Management:
· Manage study time efficiently by setting realistic goals.
· Take breaks to avoid mental saturation during prolonged study sessions.
Study During Early Hours:
· Utilise early hours for studying, as attention spans are generally higher.
· Avoid late-night studies, as grasping power tends to decrease.
“According to a study, the brain is the sharpest during early morning. Students should take advantage of this time and study,” Manmeet shared.
Smart Study:
· Smartly choose what to study based on the exam blueprint.
· Understand the weightage of each chapter to plan study time effectively.
Thorough Study of NCERT:
· Focus on a thorough study of NCERT textbooks for a strong foundation.
· NCERT provides essential keywords and concepts necessary for exams.
Refer to additional resource books:
· Use recommended resource books suggested by teachers for in-depth understanding.
· Consult other books for a broader perspective on the topics.
Review Assignments and Worksheets:
· Go through assignments, worksheets, and key points provided by teachers.
· These materials complement textbook knowledge and enhance understanding.
She also shared strategies on how to attempt the question on D-day. “Be familiar with the question paper pattern before the exam. Solve the paper in a strategic order, like attempting 5-mark questions first. Then 3-mark, 2-mark, and then 1-mark. Again, the brain is fresh in the morning and the student has time to write the answers in a legible manner making it easy for the teacher to read what has been written. Also, doing this ensures that a student will be able to finish the paper on time. Keep an eye on the time during the exam to manage it effectively. Being aware of the pattern helps students stay focused and perform well,” Manmeet said in conclusion.