Five Steps to Write Exams Effectively

Are you getting ready to appear for your exams? Are you prepared to face them?

Please answer my simple question: What does +1 and +2 mean? Most of you might say that they are just 11th and 12th grades after completing one’s 10th class. But there’s a deeper meaning to them.

Until now, many of you might have studied because your parents, teachers, or some relatives told you to study well. It means you were under some compulsion to do so. But from now on, your studies should be your responsibility. It is time to take charge of your education. Swami Vivekananda inspired every achiever with his commanding words, "Take up all responsibilities on your shoulders."

+1 stands for responsibility; it means owning your education and future.

+2 stands for preparedness; which means studying systematically and presenting your knowledge effectively in exams.

If you embrace both, responsibility and preparedness, not only will you excel in your exams now, but also succeed in every test or challenge that life throws at you in the days to come.

Many students often complain:

"Sir, no matter how much I study, I forget everything!"

"I get nervous Madam, in the exam hall despite studying well!"

Even after studying well, last-minute confusion, anxiety, or the words of others can shake your confidence. But Swami Vivekananda guides you by saying, "Education is the panacea for all problems." If studying makes it difficult, remember, that the solution lies within education itself.

Before you start preparing for exams, keep these three key aspects in mind:

1. The correct and interesting way to study your lessons.

2. The accurate way to remember what you study.

3. Understanding the power of your mind and brain and their memory.

If you master these three, exams will no longer threaten you.

Let me give you Five Powerful Steps to Exam Success. What are they?

·Attention

·Connection

·Recollection

·Retention and

·Presentation

1. Attention – Focusing your mind while studying

To improve focus: Identify your distractions; like social media, excessive phone use, or idle gossip. Avoid all these. Where there is attention, there is no tension.

Before studying, remind yourself: "Now I am studying these lessons that shall build my future. This is my foundation for success."

Observe successful students and learn from their habits.

For example, imagine you are watching your favourite cricket match. Even with people talking loudly around you, you can still hear the commentator, see every ball being bowled, and remember key moments in the match. Why? Because your focus is sharp.

Similarly, while studying, remove distractions like your phone and social media so that your mind can fully understand and assimilate what you are learning.

2. Collection – Absorbing lessons

Learning should not be a burden. To achieve this, study your lessons with curiosity and interest. Put questions to yourself, how did they find this out, where can I apply this, what probable questions can be asked from this and so on.

Avoid distractions like TV, video games, and excessive phone use or using the phone to waste your time and energy.

Imagine yourself as a topper and work towards it.

For Example, Suppose you are watching a good movie. If the storyline is interesting, you automatically remember the characters and dialogue.

Now, apply the same curiosity and power of your mind to your studies.

3. Recollection – Reinforcing Learning

When you hear a new song, you sing the same lines mentally a few times, immediately you start singing along. Similarly, revising your study material multiple times will help you remember it effortlessly. Use all your senses while learning as it helps you to recollect, like reading it aloud, using images, mind maps, and figures, practice it by writing or drawing. 

Reading aloud, converting your lessons into tiny notes, and discussing lessons with your friends will strengthen your memory.

4. Retention – Storing Knowledge in Your Memory

Frequent revision strengthens memory. Practice makes perfect.

Think about this: If someone insults you, you remember it for many years. That means your memory is powerful! Why don't you use that power for your studies?

If your best friend shares good humour, you remember it for weeks because you found it enjoyable.

To retain what you study, make learning engaging—turn facts into stories, use diagrams, or teach someone else. The more you interact with the lessons, the longer it stays in your memory.

5.  Presentation – Writing Exams Effectively

Think of a cricketer preparing for a big match. They don’t just read about cricket—they practice batting, bowling, and fielding daily. Before playing on the ground, they intensely play on net practice.  They also watch along with their coach video of their past performance, to identify their strength, and their mistakes and then have a strategic plan to play in the next match.

Similarly, don’t just read your lessons—write down the answers, solve past exam papers, and practice time management. Check with your teachers if this would be the most appropriate way to score well. This will help you write confidently in the actual exam.

Before exams, ensure that

·your body is healthy and active.

·Your mind is calm and happy.

·Your intelligence is sharp and vast.

·If you incorporate focus, responsibility, enthusiasm, and discipline into your studies, success will naturally follow you.

·Forgetfulness will disappear.

·Your memory power will bring good marks to you.

·Knowledge will become your greatest asset.

·The world will recognize your achievements.

Therefore, my dear students, prepare well, believe in yourself, and move forward with confidence.

May you all shine in your exams and life! My prayers to Bhagawan Sri Ramakrishna are with you for your success.

Best wishes to all!