How To Prepare For Exams - Preparation Tips & Strategy

Edited By Team Careers360 | Updated on Mar 30, 2022 03:34 PM IST

Preparation is paramount for good exam performance. Without it, we can’t expect to overcome the hurdle of exams, let alone score well in them. But with so much to go over and remember as you head into exams, it can be difficult to figure out how to prepare for exams and best manage this crucial period of exam preparation. Here are a few tips for successful exam preparation to get you started.

Also Read: How To Attempt Your Exams Well

Exam Preparation Tips - Begin Early

The best thing that you can do to prepare well for exams is to start your preparation early. Don’t wile away this precious time thinking that you can always study later. Some exams may be easy for you, and you may think it’s better to study a few days before the exam and cram everything in one go. But this is highly counterproductive, both in terms of exam success and your overall learning. If you procrastinate upfront, there will never be enough time to go over every little thing without having to rush to do it a few days before the exam.

So find a study spot that is relatively distraction-free, get your study material together, and do everything you need to ensure that this space remains sacred and comfortable. This could include getting a table lamp for night study, a pin-up board to organise the subjects, a chair that has good back support, etc. If your phone keeps buzzing every few minutes, you should look to cut that distraction out too. Keep it switched off and towards the other end of the room so it won’t be a bother. This is one of the much-overlooked exam preparation tips. You’ll be doing most of your preparation in this space and if it is organised, it will inevitably call out to you and make revision fun, rather than the drudgery that it can often feel to be.

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Exam Preparation Tips - Manage Your Time

This is closely tied in with starting exam preparation early. Having a good chunk of time means nothing if you don’t manage it properly. You need to plan how to use that time for studying and set realistic goals to get good results.

There are a variety of things that are vying for your attention - sports and co-curricular, daily chores, social life, etc. It is easy for these things to eat into the time that should be reserved for studying. Having a study routine is one of the best tips for exam preparation, for it not only keeps you accountable but also keeps you mentally prepared for study sessions so you can gain the most out of them.

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Exam Preparation Tips - Implement Different Study Tactics

Everyone has a different learning style. What works for your friends might not work for you, and vice-versa. Some rely on rote learning, others prefer the use of visual or auditory aid like flowcharts and diagrams, others still favour taking copious amounts of notes to drill the concepts in them. Whatever your mode of revision may be, it’s a good idea to blend different study strategies together. This can include creating charts and mindmaps, using the Pomodoro technique, writing notes, creating summaries, practising exam papers, etc.

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Exam Preparation Tips - Take Breaks

Studying constantly for long periods of time may seem necessary, especially if you start late and don’t have a lot of time left. But this can be counterproductive if you don’t include breaks between your study sessions. With the right strategies, our brain can remember just about anything, but it too needs a time-out to process things before new information is fed.

The Pomodoro technique mentioned in the previous section is one of the most effective study techniques that you can implement. In this technique, you break your study sessions into 25-minute chunks separated by 5-minute breaks. One of these 30-minute intervals is called a Pomodoro. After four such Pomodoros, take a break of about 20 minutes before restarting.

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Exam Preparation Tips - Study Groups

Studying alone can be hard. If you find yourself struggling to maintain the enthusiasm and zest to study day after day, forming a study group can be the answer. Studying with your friends can make learning fun and introduce you to new styles of learning. By implementing others’ learning strategies, you take in information in different ways and allow your brain to process the study material through different channels.

When the going gets tough, it is such simple tips for exam preparation that can get students out of a slump. While learning from others, study groups also allow you to teach others what you know best. This forces you to explain the concepts as simply as possible for the benefit of others, and also tests your own understanding of the subject.

Also Read: Different Styles Of Learning

Exam Preparation Tips - Understand The Bigger Picture

One of the best tips for successful exam preparation is to understand the bigger picture of taking exams. What is it that your professors are looking for in your answers, and what is it that they want you to grasp essentially? This is the overarching question that many students fail to consider in their exam preparation, when, in fact, this should be the first question that students should ponder.

Though it is important to score well and get good grades, your learning won’t amount to much if you forget it all the next day. Put yourself in your professor’s shoes and consider their objectives. Look at the course design and identify its logic. Focus on the concepts, principles and major themes and find supporting evidence for it through examples. You can get a hint from what your professors and teachers pay particular attention to based on the homework assignments and class tests. You can even approach them and ask for important chapters and sections for the exam. In most likelihood, they will guide you to what they think are essential deliverables of the course.

Exam Preparation Tips - Diet and Sleep

As you’re focusing on revising and going over each and every chapter carefully, don’t forget to take care of yourself by eating a nutritious diet and getting enough sleep. These are crucial for learning and should never be overlooked. If you deprive yourself of good nutrition and sleep, there’s a high chance that you won’t be able to learn to your full potential. So make sure you eat a balanced diet, get some exercise, have a nice 7-8 hours of sleep, and stay well hydrated throughout the day to make the most of your exam preparation. These tips for exam preparation are not only important during exam time, but for all the days of your life.

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Exam Preparation Tips - Know Your Exam

Lastly, tips for successful exam preparation also include knowing the details about the exam - where it will be held, what’s the duration of the exam, the start and end time, and whether or not there are any holidays or breaks between exams. This will help you plan your exam week well in advance so you’re not caught unawares on the day of the exam. If the exam is held in the afternoon, you can have a little extra time to gather your study group and go over the course material quickly one last time. If it’s in the morning, you may have to adjust your last-minute revision accordingly and ensure that you reach the exam centre on time.

Also Read: How To Prepare & Study For CBSE Board Exams

Knowing how to prepare for exams and implementing tips for exam preparation is crucial to managing your study time and getting good grades. Exam time can be a period of stress and scattered thinking. But if you know how to prepare for exams the right way, apply the right study strategies, and take care of yourself, this period can be an important learning experience. We hope you now have a better idea of how to prepare for exams and wish you all the best in your endeavours!

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What should I do 1 hour before an exam?

The best thing that you can do 1 hour before an exam is to relax and trust your learning. Additionally, make sure you have everything you need, such as your stationery, water bottle, ID cards, etc.

2. How can I improve my brain before an exam?

To ensure your mind and body are ready for the exam, make sure you get enough sleep the night before, listen to your favourite music, have a nutritious meal that is not too filling, and keep yourself hydrated.

3. How do you prepare for a difficult exam?

To prepare for difficult exams, make sure that you start early, get all the study material and notes together, use a variety of study techniques, try practising previous years’ exam papers, and form study groups to learn better.

4. How do you score 100 in exams?

If you want to score a perfect 100 in exams, plan your study schedule ahead of time, set up a study spot that is distraction-free, use study aids that help you, and practice as many exam papers as you can. Also, talk to your teachers to know which are the important sections that can carry greater weightage.