Exams play a very important role in determining the progress of the students. Therefore, they hold a special place in every student’s academic career. Some students take them as marginalizing their preparation levels. At the same time, some find exams very stressful and hence, can’t concentrate during exam preparation.
Experts and toppers always advise taking precautions or remembering some “Dos” to get an excellent mark. But, students should also need to know some “Don’ts” that may lead to decreased scores. Knowing what you should not do while preparing for exams is equally important.
Students should be aware of some steps they should completely avoid on the final days of the exam. Read the blog to know what you need not do while studying for exams.
5 Don’ts to Keep in Mind While Preparing for Exams
Do not Compare with Other Student’s Situation
During exam preparation, the tendency to compare with fellow candidates increases. As a result, this impacts their preparation. And they get encircled with this negativity.
It is necessary to get rid of this step. Students must understand that comparing with others might only demoralise their thoughts and demotivate them right before the examination. Instead of focusing on others’ scores, they should concentrate entirely on their studies. Considering that every student has strong points and shortcomings, let them study with the right mentality.
Do Not Neglect Revision
Revision not only lets you memorise the matters but also ensures you long-term withholding.
Sometimes students think that they will waste a lot of time revising certain topics. They neglect the revision step during their last few exam preparation days. It results in failing to recall the important concepts and attempting the question incorrectly. As a result, later, they regret not taking this step seriously.
Revising the concepts helps in understanding the fundamentals of the topic productively. While completing the syllabus is important, diligently revising topics will help boost your exam preparation.
Do Not Go for Rote Learning
Learning without knowing and understanding the concepts is not beneficial for long-term remembrance. It is generally called ‘mugging up.’ It is one form of unhealthy learning.
When you follow the such practice, in the beginning, you will find it a smart way to learn the subjects. But, in reality, this method is feasible only for short periods. For a long-term journey, it is the worst method.
Some disadvantages of rote learning or parrot-fashioned learning are:
- Easy to lose focus
- Doesn’t encourage the use of social skills
- May result in the wrong imitation or understanding of a concept
- Doesn’t permit a profound understanding of a subject
- No connection between existing & previous knowledge
While exams require students to memorise long answers, it is important to do so with a clear understanding of the same. This way, you will find that memorising concepts with a clear understanding is easier.
Do Not Run After Multiple Study Materials
Sometimes students begin to prepare the same topic using different reference books. One of the most common mistakes students make before exams, i.e., refer to multiple sources for one subject. It sometimes proves as a boon while other times a bane for students.
Though referring to multiple resources might help you understand different standpoints, you get a mix of the fundamental concepts of the subject or topic. Finally, during the last days of exam preparation, you start to feel anxious and stressed. As a result, you start to learn material without knowing its roots and causes.
Therefore, it is better to focus on only one or two sets of reference books for the examinations. Try to avoid it before exams. Besides, the reference study material you select must be crisp and easy to recall before examinations.
Overconfidence
Overconfidence is one of the important determinants of success. It leads to restricting the thinking abilities of students. It not only suppresses but also undermines self-analysis abilities. Instead, students should adopt a cautious approach to cruise through the exams.
However good a student may have done, consistent attempts are required to triumph in every exam. To carry on a consistent exam accomplishment, students should evaluate their previous answer folios and write down what they missed. It consolidates exam practices and also upgrades the learning process.
Some Steps That Students Should Follow while Appearing for the Exam:
- Read the question paper thoroughly and carefully.
- One of the best strategies to crack any exam is learning time management skills.
- Answer the questions according to the demand of the questions.
- Make sure not to copy incorrect data from the question paper, especially numerical problems.
- Use diagrams wherever required and draw them neat and clean, with proper labels.
- Never forget to re-check the answer sheet before submitting it.
- One of the most dangerous steps is getting panicked during the exams.
- Never leave questions during the exam if you have time on your hand.
Also see: Time Management- The most important factor in cracking Competitive Exams
Conclusion
From the previous points, it is comprehensible that there are many steps that you, whether knowingly or unknowingly, carry out during your exam preparation and that you need to avoid.
It is obvious to feel pressure, stress, anxiety, tension, or other symptoms during the examinations. But the right attitude and positive approach can assist students in studying without agitation and stress. It is best to diligently prepare and follow a routine chart, revise adeptly in the last few days, and concentrate well to ensure better exam outcomes.
You must avoid the “don’ts” mentioned above to ace the exams with a good score.
Also Read: How to Complete your Exam Paper on Time with these Effective Tips?
FAQs
1. How does not clearing the doubts to affect the exam preparations?
It is obvious for students to have doubts during their studies. Having doubt is an indication of curiosity and willingness to learn. Nevertheless, students often leave doubts unresolved with the study load before exams. Doubts that stack up over time may affect exam preparation predominantly.
Students should acquire their doubts set in the classroom. Stopping yourself from asking doubts means hampering your understanding of the concepts taught in class. Moreover, students can use our doubt resolution app to link with experts and clarify their doubts.
2. Does having unhealthy routines influence exam preparation?
Yes! Unhealthy routines influence your exam preparation as well as your daily schedule. The time before exams is critical. However, one must perceive that studying to an extent for long hours is not peculiar. Insufficient sleep, an unbalanced diet, not adapting to change, and causing numerous problems to the brain, are some common unhealthy routines that influence your exam preparation.
Taking required breaks and carrying on the wellness of the brainpower is extremely valuable. Students should consolidate short breaks at periodical intervals in their schedule chart. They should also have a set of arrangements for meditation or exercises. Similarly, a sleep cycle of at least 8 hours helps concentrate better.
3. How do I keep my confidence level in check during the examination?
You can keep your confidence level in check by following steps:
Get timely feedback: After solving sample papers, ask your teacher, peer, or friend to evaluate your answers and then analyse your performance. Ask them to provide feedback periodically to keep your confidence level balanced.
Create a buffer: When you have limited time to complete a task, it is good to schedule extra time in case anything unpredictable happens. The safeguard time can be used for more than just time, however.
Brainstorm what you do not know about: Brainstorming your mind can promote problem-solving and innovative thinking to bring the best ideas forward going on in your brain. If you want to do something, think about what steps and adjustments you need to make.
4. What are the must-to-follow steps during exam preparations?
Some must-to-follow steps during exam preparations are
Do not leave anything at the last minute.
Pay attention to those details that can distract you.
Make use of visual aids while preparing for the exams.
Format some questions related to the prepared topics and solve them.
Have a proper explanation for your answers.
While preparing a subject, make sure you are focused on that subject only.
Take some scheduled breaks in between your continuous long hours of studies.
Check all the rules and regulations of the exam, and then plan your day carefully.
5. How neglecting the fundamental concepts can lead to silly mistakes during the exams?
Sometimes, questions are related to fundamental concepts of the topic, but you are not clear how to answer them or from which concept that question is related. Fundamental knowledge is like the elementary stage of exam preparation. In the case of little knowledge about the basic concepts, it is sure that you will make silly mistakes. And these silly mistakes students make bring down your scores.
Therefore, focusing on nourishing your basic concepts for the exam preparations is always advocated. Always start your preparations with the textbooks containing basic concepts, and then move toward other books. It will aid you in grasping the concepts.
6. How can poor time management affect exam preparation?
Time management is very necessary during exam preparation. This skill helps you with your preparations and during exam time. You will be able to solve all the questions timely. Some of the effects of poor time management skills are
Being not able to manage time properly during exams lets you feel stressed.
It affects your exam scores and decreases your grades.
It can move sleep to the bottom of your list of priorities. As a result, you will feel tired and ill.
You promptly reach for unhealthy snacks when you miss breakfast due to poor time management skills.
If you cannot manage your class schedule, you will miss all the important points your teachers explain in the classroom.
