Stress-free exams: exams are really not as difficult as we think

The examination is an integral part of any educational system which is inevitable to bring out the real interests, capabilities, knowledge, talents and skills of the students. It is also about measuring the levels of attainment at different stages of their academic path. Nowadays; due to unrealistic aspirations and expectations of parents and students, examinations have become stressful events for both. The Stress-free. They could be made easy if we approach them with a healthy positive mindset and systematic preparations.

For a student who puts in systematic, planned, regular efforts consistently throughout the academic year, appearing for an examination becomes easy and enjoyable. It looks difficult for a student who plans and prepares for the examinations towards the end of the academic year. There are no alternative methods to achieve the fullest potential of any student other than regularly planned consistent efforts and hard work.

In general, the performance in the examination depends on four vital factors which are systematic preparations, content recall, presentation and time management during the examinations. The following tips may help the students to enhance their preparations for the examinations.

The students should prioritize the lessons for preparation based on their levels of understanding, capacity to retain the concepts and mark distribution. Students who are performing low and below average are advised to make themselves thorough in at least 60% of the portions which is easy for them and should be ready to answer any type of question. However; they also have to prepare to attempt the standard questions from the other lessons which are frequently asked in the school and the Board examinations.

For the above-average and high achievers, it is advised that they should focus on making themselves thorough with all the topics starting from their favourite lessons to the lessons which they find difficult. They have to practice more HOTS questions on a regular basis along with challenging questions on each topic. They should aim at achieving 100% before entering the examination hall.

The performance of the students in the examination hall is decided by key factors like content recalled from memory, answering to the point, time management and review of the answers written. The students get trained on these factors by answering as many as sample papers before the examinations.

In general, students must understand that the question paper will contain only the questions from the lessons they learned throughout the academic year and the challenge is to like recall suitable answers from the content of these lessons.

Students should not be excited or disappointed when they read the question paper for the first time. After reading the question paper thoroughly during the reading time they should devise a definite plan and choose the order of the questions for answering in such a way that at least 60% of the questions are attempted within the first one hour of the examination. Attempting familiar questions within one hour will ensure scoring at least 50 % marks and this will help students to relax and be relieved of the tension.

This relaxed mindset will boost the confidence level of the students and enhance their performance during the next two hours. Students should capitalize on this mindset to enhance their scores to the maximum possible extent. In the end, the students must allot at least 30 minutes to review the answers. In case any change in any answer is required, the students should write the new answer but it is to be ensured that the new answer is better than the previous one before striking the previous one out. Another important aspect is maintaining a healthy attitude. Everyone has to ensure that they get proper sleep, have a healthy diet and adequate rest.

Students should understand that examinations are very important as it decides the academic and career path of individuals. Low performance or failure in any subject is not a failure in life. It is necessary to know that better subject options are available in future for them. Most of the time failures teach the best lesson in life.

Our best wishes to all the students appearing for the Board examinations and may God bless them to come out with flying colours and perform up to their fullest potential and capacity.

The author is the Principal at Indian School Bahrain