We present to you the most underrated, yet the most important 3rd edition of our useful tips and tricks for board exam candidates!

Board exams are indeed very stressful. This stress often leads us to make all those unforgivable ‘SILLY MISTAKES’. Here’s a checklist of do’s and dont’s that we have curated for you to produce your A-Game on the exam day:

BEFORE THE EXAM:

• Have a good 8-hour sleep, get up early, meditate and revise the important formulas/short notes that you have prepared.
• Eat a balanced breakfast. (Overeating will make you feel drowsy and under eating will cause fatigue).
• Check your admit card and stationery before leaving home. You don’t want to fall short of anything (remember, you will not be allowed to borrow in the exam hall!).
• Carry multiple calculators for math based exams (in case one fails).
• Go to the toilet before the exam starts. No point wasting valuable time during the exam, if it can be avoided.
• Carry a bottle of water. Drink from it, when you think you’re stressing out!
• Wear a watch, and be sure to check up on time often to stay on schedule
• Reach the exam hall at least an hour early to be on the safe side.
• Avoid last minute revision! Stay calm and motivated.

DURING THE EXAM:

• Remember messing up that 10 mark question just because you skipped the last line of the question ? Avoid doing that. Utilise the first 15 minutes provided to you in the best possible way. Read the questions very carefully, highlight parts if you can, but don’t start solving right away!
• The next step is to prioritise the order of writing your answers. DO NOT PANIC incase you don’t know the answer to a question. Create a mind map starting with the answer that you’re absolutely confident of to the one you have no clue about. Also, be practical while allotting time to answering each question. Don’t spend a lot of time answering one question leaving little or no time for the rest.
• DO NOT forget to read the writing instructions mentioned in the question paper.
• Make sure your answers are labeled, keywords are highlighted and your handwriting is neat and legible.
• Board exams are the best examples of pressure tests. Calm temperament and good time management skills always come handy. Do not waste time on a question if you are unable to answer it. Move on and come back to it later.
• Plan to finish your paper at least 15 minutes before the exam ends. Revise thoroughly and make necessary changes. 
  

  AFTER THE EXAM:

• DO NOT DISCUSS ANSWERS. You can’t change a wrong answer. Thinking about it will lead to unnecessary stress, anxiety, and low morale.
• Go home, eat, rest and start focussing on preparing for the next paper!
  

  Hard work, smart work, and optimism are the key elements to crack your board exams. If your exams have just started or about to start and you’re reading this, we wish you all the very best. Hope these suggestions help you to stay calm and focused!

  For more useful suggestions and tips read our other blogs on exam prep! And visit Pedagoge to find the right teacher who can help you be your best!