Before proceeding and reading through everything you need to prepare right for competitive exams like NEET, JEE, AIIMS, Olympiads etc., give yourself a pat on the back for having made through the crucial Class 10 and 12 Board examinations! You sailed through that, and with the right concentration and methodical approach, you will manage through this as well.
Competitive exams are similar to board examinations in many ways, for they too, are crucial, have a lengthy syllabus and majorly determine your future. They are different in terms of subjectivity; while boards exam questions would require you to use your own words to elaborate on your answers, competitive exams are less process-oriented and more result oriented and thus need to be prepared for differently.
Read on to know more about how you can maximise your efficiency with proper time management and give your best in the upcoming competitive examinations:
1. Use fewer books and more question papers
While your temptation to solve questions and expand your knowledge is understandable at this stage, beware of wasting time on topics and questions that are less likely to appear in the exam. Referring to a variety of books will confuse you further and mess with your self-confidence. So, focus on solving previous year’s question papers to get an idea of frequently asked questions and refer to Aakash iTutor app, in case you have some doubts. You can have your doubts clarified across all topics by the eminent Aakash faculty via ‘Ask an Expert’.
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2. Solve questions from different chapters
Our minds often get conditioned to solving questions only from one topic at a time. This is extremely detrimental to a good performance in the exam, where no two consecutive questions come from the same topic. It is therefore essential to train your mind to move from one topic to another without any hiccups.
3. Don’t solve every question
One of the common mistakes students end up making is solving each and every question. It is important to always remember that competitive exam papers are designed to be result oriented, so you need to write down every step. Try approaching questions by eliminating other options to reach your answer. Feel free to use shortcuts and given that there is negative marking, do not hesitate in leaving the question unanswered if you aren’t sure of the answer. This will help you avoid negative marking and give you enough time to invest in questions whose answers you are completely sure of.
4. Don’t underestimate theory
While being able to solve difficult numericals might give you an unparalleled sense of achievement, it is the theory that is more likely to save you. A lot of students tend to not touch theory at all, and end up losing marks they could have easily scored. Numericals can make you lose marks even if you know the concept because there is a chance of them being solved incorrectly. Theory, on the other hand, will make sure that you get that extra edge, so do go through it, since each mark matters.
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5. Secure your marks
Whether you’re attempting sample papers or solving the final exam question paper, make sure to solve the easier questions first. Not only will this help you manage time effectively, but it’ll also increase your self-confidence, secure your score, and make sure that the difficult questions do not fluster you.
6. Align your biological clock with examination time
Another mistake most aspirants make is studying late at night. The quietness of the night time might have helped you all year, but it is time to step out of that schedule. To increase the productivity of your mind during the time of the exam, it is imperative to do your preparations then, so that your brain gets used to performing its best during the day.
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We hope that these time management tips help you utilise your capabilities effectively. Always remember that competitive exams are result oriented and that focusing on your strengths is what you need to succeed with flying colours. Good luck!
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