Put your heart, mind, intellect and soul to your smallest acts. This is the secret of success. – Sivananda Swami
As the real countdown to CBSE exams starting on March1, begins, the anxiety levels are rising high. All students, am sure have done their best to be ready for the examination. Yet the thought process of questioning oneself for an excellent performance not only for expectations of self but also of others builds stress towards the last phase.
Here are the simple ways to be confident to take up the exams.
It is time now to strengthen what you are good at rather than learning new topics or panicking with your preparations by comparing yourself with others or be under pressure due to the expectations of others set for you. Relax, you know yourself well. Therefore set realistic goals.
Last Minute Revision Tactics
• They need to be subject specific now onwards with a focus to strengthen the concepts, formulae and applications to problems.
• Have a look at your examination schedule. How much time you are getting in between the examination? Focus on the revision time for different subjects accordingly.
Time Management is the most important issue for a good outcome of your efforts. For mastering this you are advised to:
• Solve sample papers within specified time limits.
• Try to sit in the morning hours as per board timing so that your mind gets tuned to be active during exam hours.
• Allot times as per the weightage of questions and keep to word limits.
In the examination hall, be calm and patient. I have seen best of students going blank due to tension of performance. If it happens, try to relax by closing your eyes for some time, take deep breaths and make a conscious effort to be your normal self. It is important to remember that you can give your best only by being cool and patient.
Read through the QUESTION paper carefully.
• Check all sections and questions.
• Make the right choice wherever required.
• Keep in mind the weightage of each question. Work out your time accordingly. Plan more time for descriptive / difficult questions.
• Before attempting a question look for the key words in question: analyze, compare, validate, etc. Be clear about what is expected in the question.
• Aim at attempting the complete question paper.
• Begin with attempting the easiest questions first. This helps get you thinking along the right lines, and builds confidence.
Remember – you CAN do it! Ponder over the words quoted below.
Reminders
• Visit your examination Centre a day in advance. You shouldn’t be late on exam day.
• Check your Admit Card.
• Carry a watch to keep track of time
• Remember to write your name and other identifying information on your answer sheet.
Resolve to Succeed and you will….All the best to everyone!

The countdown to board exams has already begun. Practical exams are going on for CBSE students and for ISC, the clock is already ticking as they face D-day on February 13. The stress levels are at an all-time high not only among students but also their parents and friends who wish to see them excel. The competitive pattern of after school admission to professional or academic courses is so high that it inevitably leaves the child worried and stressed all through. Some parents also tend to get overtly anxious and may be unintentionally add to the stress of the child.
To begin with parents need to be calm and supportive to ease the pressure of the child. Parents, for sure need to stop comparisons of their child to anyone, even their siblings. Children have to be pushed for better performance to be in the rat race of competitions but we, as parents need to de stress children so that they perform better. Board examinations are times of anxiety and stress. So help your child. Encourage him and support emotionally too.
Dear Children, begin each day with faith in yourself. Be determined to do your best. Do not panic by looking at your friends just because they appear to be better prepared than you. Keep yourself motivated. Anxiety, fear and nervousness at this juncture would lessen the efficacy of your time.
Smart Work Plan:
- On the basis of your preparation or performance in pre-board exams of the school, rate your readiness to take exam well in all subjects. This will help you prioritize your subjects for study.
- Identify your strengths and weaknesses. Focus on what all you have to do. How much you need to put in every subject?
- Blocks of dedicated study time with breaks will help. It is quality of time rather than the quantity of time that matters, Strike a proper balance between activities of study to keep you engaged for effective learning.
- Remember to do difficult subjects when you are fresh.
Revision Tips:
- NCERT books are a must to go through to clear all concepts and contents to excel in board exams. Success mantra to score 90% for sure is thorough NCERT text revision. Advised to go for reference books later.
- Study Smartly. Keep asking questions to yourself, Reinforce the important points of answering a question. Keep relating to diagrams, flow charts, formulae etc. frequently
- Know yourself well. Think when your brain works the best. Keep these time slots for difficult subjects. Prioritize your work plan. Do difficult subjects or topics first. Change subjects of study as per difficulty and your area of concern.
- Apply right strategy of revision and learning to different subjects. Practice is a must for subjects like mathematics, accounts , numerical problems in physics or chemistry but note making will help in business studies ,history whereas diagrams will help in biology and geography.
- Keep changing revision styles to keep you motivated. While revising, keep on making notes for last minute revision. Keep your class tests or exam papers for quick recapitulation of content learnt.
- Make sure you allocate adequate time for fun and relaxation as well while keeping away from distractions.
- Plan your work and complete it on time. Revise Regularly.
Prep Time:
- Keep your body clock right. Tune yourself to remain active on the study table in the morning hours specifically as per board exam timings. Check your study habits in case you are habitual of studying late night hours. Start sleeping early and study in mornings.
- Writing three hour exam in not only a mental exercise but also a physical fitness of the human systems to be active and alert to yield the best. Therefore setting the body clock tuned to exam timings calls for staying physically fit and healthy. So eat healthy and take adequate rest.
- Monitor your progress by taking mock tests. Sit for three hour test, preferably as per the timings of the board. Writing under exam conditions will help your body clock adjust to board tome and conditions.
- Presentations of your answers matters a lot. Practice papers should be written neatly. Well labeled diagrams to be drawn wherever necessary. Formulae and equations should be explained with symbols used. Remember everyone loves to read the content if it is presented well. You can improve your chances of scoring better.
- Effective Communication is the key to good scoring. Be clear and within the word limit required for all the answers as expected in the questions.
- Time management is very important .Avoid getting stuck on any topic. Keep it aside and take help/attempt later on. Even in examination hall it helps to keep track of time.
Stay Healthy:
`Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow; it empties today of its strength.”-Corrie Ten Boom
So wisely said and yet we fail to practice it and use the present constructively for our benefits.
Remember, it’s important to relax. You can perform the best only if your body and mind get adequate rest. Follow a regular sleep pattern
- Prevent mental fatigue, Take regular breaks. Go in for activities that maintain continuity of studies during these breaks also.
- Keep up with your simple exercises that are effective in relieving stress.
- Take care to have meals at proper times and also that are rich in vitamins and proteins. Green leafy vegetables, fresh fruits and sufficient water intake, are a must.
The Power of Positive Thinking:
Concentrate all your thoughts upon the work at hand. The sun’s rays do not burn until brought to a focus. ALEXANDER GRAHAM BELL
- Board exam at the moment is your goal. So set your eyes on your targets.
- Concentrate and bring to focus all your thoughts and efforts to achieve your goal.
Do not anticipate trouble, or worry about what may never happen. Keep in the sunlight. –Benjamin Franklin
In the examination hall:
- Read the question paper carefully. Attempt first the ones you know the best and then go to the difficult ones.
- It’s very important to answer all sections systematically without mixing questions from different sections.
- Application based questions may appear to be tricky but they are for sure based on concepts of the subject. Think wisely and act but do not end up giving more time lest you fail to write what you know and you can do.
- Numerical problems should be preferred over theoretical questions as you get full marks in them.
- Time management is essential in the examination hall. Avoid wasting time on trials of unknowns. Keep aside 15 minutes for revision to check errors if any.
- Wish you all good luck for the examination!

“If you wish success in life, make perseverance your bosom friend, experience your wise counsellor, caution your elder brothers, and hope your guardian genius.” Joseph Addison
With the board exams barely a month away, the pressures are mounting high not only for the students, but also for the parents. The competitive pattern of admissions to professional or academic courses is so high that it inevitably leaves the child worried and stressed all through. Some parents also tend to get overtly anxious and, albeit unintentionally, add to the child’s stress.
To begin with, parents need to be calm and supportive to ease the pressure of the child. Parents for sure need to stop comparing their child to anyone, even their siblings. Children have to be pushed for better performance to be in the rat race of competition, but we, as parents, need to de-stress our children so that they perform better. Board examinations are times of anxiety and stress. So help your child.
It’s important for students not to let any temporary setbacks affect them. Pre-board exams might have left some students tensed if their performance has not been up to the mark. Don’t brood over this, and reinforce portions where improvement is necessary.
Remember the difference between ‘’Try” and “Triumph” is the “Umph” factor! So get hold of yourself and say that “I Can.”
Revision Tips:
- Plan and complete it on time. Set realistic goals.
- Know yourself well. Think when your brain works the best. Keep these time slots for difficult subjects.
- Prioritise your work plan. Do difficult subjects or topics first.
- Change subjects of study as per difficulty and your area of concern.
- Do practise writing while revising. Keep on making notes for last-minute revision.
- Time management is very important .Avoid getting stuck on any topic. Keep it aside and take help later on.
- Monitor your progress by taking mock tests. Sit for a three-hour test, preferably as per the timings of the board. Writing under exam conditions will help your body clock adjust to the board time and conditions.
- Make sure you allocate adequate time for fun and relaxation as well while keeping away from distractions.
- Study smart. Keep asking questions to yourself. Reinforce the important points of answering a question. Keep relating to diagrams, flow charts, formulae, etc. frequently.
- Revise regularly.
Stay Healthy:
`Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow; it empties today of its strength.” -Corrie Ten Boom
So wisely said, and yet we fail to practise it and use the present constructively to our benefit.
- Remember, it’s important to relax. You can perform at your best only if your body and mind get adequate rest. Follow a regular sleep pattern.
- Prevent mental fatigue. Take regular breaks. Go for activities that maintain continuity of studies during these breaks also.
- Keep up with simple exercises that are effective in relieving stress.
- Take your meals at proper times. Ensure that they are rich in vitamins and proteins. Green leafy vegetables, fresh fruits and sufficient water intake, are a must.
The Power of Positive Thinking:
Concentrate all your thoughts upon the work at hand. The sun’s rays do not burn until brought to a focus. ALEXANDER GRAHAM BELL
- The board exam at the moment is your goal. So set your eyes on your targets.
- Concentrate and bring to focus all your thoughts and efforts to achieve your goal.
Do not anticipate trouble, or worry about what may never happen. Keep in the sunlight. –Benjamin Franklin
Wishing all students good luck for the examination ahead !!

“Time is an equal opportunity employer. Each human being has exactly the same number of hours and minutes every day. Rich people can’t buy more hours. Scientists can’t invent new minutes. And you can’t save time to spend it on another day. Even so, time is amazingly fair and forgiving. No matter how much time you’ve wasted in the past, you still have an entire tomorrow.”
― Denis Waitley
The board exams are almost here. And now begins the race against time. Who emerges a winner depends upon who has the meticulously worked game plan ready to act upon. My experience as a Principal and teacher has been that focused efforts in these days do bring in favourable results for many. Board results have always brought in surprises for me. I have found average performers of the session getting better scores, at times even more than the top performers. What I mean to emphasise is that these last few days are truly valuable, and you have a lot to gain from every moment spent judiciously on areas of your concern.
I don’t mean to say that it’s going to be easy, but it’s for sure going to be worth your effort. So take charge of your time and actions, and say “I Can.”
3 commandments to be a smart player:
Smart work plan:
- Focus on what all you have to do. How much do you need to put into every subject?
- PRIORTISE your subjects/topics as per your performance in the test exams at school. Remember, the time at your disposal before the boards is limited.
- Blocks of dedicated study time with breaks will help.
- Remember to do difficult subjects when you are fresh.
Organising the study place:
- A GOOD learning environment always inspires. Windows opening to natural surroundings or a garden brighten up the spirits.
- Identify your study place so as to concentrate better on your work. It’s time to avoid all distractions – mobiles, television, social networking sites, friends – everything!
- Arrange all resources within reach. Keep bookmarks and notepads handy.
- A timer on your study table is a must.
Execute the plan in all sincerity
“Strength of mind is exercise, not rest.” ~ Alexander Pope
Keep your mind in action by revising /reviewing the formulae, notes and visuals of content.
Hope you are already into action till I come back to you soon!