Representational.
As our children are going to write their Board and School Exam, we need to offer our best services and support apart from our best wishes and prayers. My suggestions are as follows:
Few Days Before the Examination:
1) Stay away from all distractions, especially Social Media.
2) Pray and keep yourself in good health.
3) Don’t try anything new. Focus on revising what you have already learnt.
4) While revising, use your photographic memory. Read, close your eyes and recall what you have read and then write the same. If you can practise mind mapping for the main topics, you must do so.
5) You may not get enough time to write answers to all the questions. In that case, after recalling and framing the answer, just say it aloud. If parents are around, ask them to listen to your answer to cross-check the same.
6) Use the previous year’s papers for practice and cross-check for the correct answers. The marks you get are directly proportional to the number of sample papers you do.
7) While solving sample papers, practise the time-marks formula. Time spent should roughly be equal to two times the weightage of marks. So if it is a 2 marks question, you should be able to complete the answer in 4 minutes.
On the Eve of the Examination Day:
1) Follow the routine which you have been following and that which makes you comfortable and relaxed.
2) Use the maximum time to recall the key points/concepts and answers to all the questions.
3) Make sure that the admit card and required items are arranged in one place.
4) Pray and have a good night’s sleep.
On the Day of Examination:
1) Try to get up early and if time permits recall the key concepts/formulae/answers again.
2) Have the breakfast you like and leave for the Examination Centre before time. Make sure you carry the admit card and all necessary items. Apart from the Admit card, you should not have any printed/written text or any blank paper with you.
3) If you are sensitive to any news, stay away from any conversation at the examination centre.
4) Pray and think that only what you have prepared is going to be asked in the examination. Nothing, which you left, will be asked.
5) Follow the instructions of the teachers and make sure that the table and chair allocated to you is of proper height and in good condition. If not, please report to the teachers on duty.
When you get the Answer Sheet:
1) Make sure that all the entries on the cover page are done correctly. Cross check.
2) Use only the specified colour (blue /black) ball pen.
After you get the Question Paper:
1) Count the number of pages, cross-check and read it word by word. You get 15 minutes for it.
2) Except for your Roll No., don’t write anything on it.
3) You may use a pencil to underline the keywords in the questions and plan the answers accordingly.
4) After reading the questions, if you find that you don’t know some of the answers don’t panic. Try to focus on the ones you know and plan whether to start from the last or the first question.
After you get instructions to write :
1) Begin with either from the last or the first question. But, always follow the order.
2) Leave a line after every answer and draw a line at the end of every answer. Number the answers correctly on the left margin.
3) Keep in mind that presentation matters a lot. Don’t overwrite. In case of a mistake, don’t overwrite, just put a cross and write again. Diagrams should be neat and correctly labelled.
4) Keep a watch on the time spent. If you get stuck, try to recall but don’t spend much time. Shift to the next question and revisit the previous question after you have completed the ones you know.
5) Don’t write more than what is asked. Write as per the instructions given in the question paper.
6) While writing answers you may underline keywords. It attracts the evaluator’s attention and takes less time to correct the paper. But use the same pen to underline the keywords. Don’t waste time picking up another colour pen for underlining.
7) In case you have taken an additional answer sheet, number it properly. Write the total number of additional answer sheets in the space provided on the main answer sheet and then tie the answer book properly.
8) Give a pleasant kiss, pray and say goodbye to the answer booklet, before it is collected by the invigilator.
9) Don’t discuss the answers if you have other papers lying ahead.
Just Relax- You have done a great job!
May God Bless You!
Arun Kumar Sharma is the Principal at New Millennium School, Bahrain