Do you think medals are won based solely based on the performance on the day of a performance?
The answer is a big NO. The medals are being won because of the countless days of training. Your name will appear in the PDF not only because of your performance on the day of the examination but also because of the countless hours, you have spent before the examination preparing for it.
During Preparation:
• The Pareto principle states that roughly 80% of the effects come from 20% of the causes.
Yes, 20 % of the syllabus is more important which will yield you 80% of the marks. The key is to know that 20% lies in your basic books and NCERTs.
• Minimum sources, maximum revisions. Revise THRICE whatever you have read is essential for retention and assimilation. Minimize the sources, else it will be chaos at the end.
• Spend more time analyzing the mock tests than the actual time spent on taking tests.
• Always link current affairs with the relevant subject. For example, if you read the news “issues between the USA and China”, link it to What is the US-China trade war? India china relations, India and its neighborhood, Foreign policies, etc.
During Examination:
Considering the 1/3rd negative marking involved, following an efficient approach while you begin from question number one till the last question will boost your marks.
Consider processing the question paper at least two times.
For an efficient approach, try the below method,
In round one, solve only those questions for which you are sure a hundred percent sure of the answers.
In round two, solve questions for which you are 50 percent sure of the answer. This means you have eliminated two options. The chance of getting the correct answer is quite high in this case.
In round three, try to answer questions for which you are 33 percent sure of the answer.
In round four, try guessing for questions for which you have no known answers. No matter how hard you study there will always be 10-12 questions for which you need to do guesses. These are the questions for which you need to do an intelligent guess.
For example, consider the following question
1. Black-necked crane
2. Cheetah
3. Flying squirrel
4. Snow leopard
Which of the above are naturally found in India?
a) 1, 2 and 3 only
b) 1, 3 and 4 only
c) 2 and 4 only
d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Now, you haven’t even heard of animals like a black-necked crane or flying squirrel. But read the options properly. Now, the cheetah is not found naturally in India and this fact is something which you might be knowing even if you have not read animals in detail. So, if you just eliminate cheetah, statement 2 that is – you get only one option remaining and that has to be the answer.
With reference to crops grown in India, consider the following statements:
1. Rice – Kharif
2. Cucumber – Zaid
3. Tobacco – Rabi
Which of the following are correctly matched?
a) 1 only
b) 1 and 2
c) All the above
d) 2 and 3 only
In this question, a person who has reasonably studied for the exam may stand confused between b and c, because they may know for sure that 1. and 2. are definitely right and not sure about 3. Here, instead of not attempting the question, you SHOULD attend the question as you have narrowed the choice of only two options.
Practice these approaches in your mock tests first before directly applying it in the exam hall. Use this wisely and limit the number of questions being answered by this method.
Finally, maintain proper physical and mental health.
All the best!
