After months of hard work, the day has finally arrived. The final hours before and during the exam are a mental game. How you manage this time can have a significant impact on your performance, regardless of how well you've prepared. A calm mind recalls information better than a panicked one.
Here is your playbookâa list of 10 practical tips to ensure you are calm, confident, and ready to perform at your peak in the examination hall.
Avoid last-minute panic. The night before, pack your exam kit: at least two pens of the same type, sharpened pencils, an eraser, a sharpener, a ruler, and your hall ticket. Place it all in a transparent pouch.
Pulling an all-nighter before the exam is the worst thing you can do. As our revision guide explains, the day before is for rest. A well-rested brain's ability to recall information is dramatically better. Aim for 7-8 hours of sound sleep.
Don't go into the exam on an empty stomach, but also avoid a heavy meal that can make you feel drowsy. A light, familiar breakfast like idli, poha, or a simple sandwich is ideal.
You will get the question paper before you are allowed to start writing. Use this "reading time" effectively.
Do not feel pressured to answer the questions in chronological order. Start with the section or question you feel most confident about. Securing these marks first will build immense confidence and momentum for the rest of the paper.
Time management is everything. Mentally assign a time limit for each section. If a question is taking too long, leave some space, mark it for review, and move on. It's better to secure marks on five other questions than to get stuck on one.
A neat, well-structured answer sheet is easier for the examiner to grade. Use a fresh page for new sections, draw margins, and ensure your handwriting is legible. Underline key headings and final answers.
Keep a water bottle with you. If you feel a wave of panic, just pause. Close your eyes, take three deep, slow breaths, and take a sip of water. This simple reset can make a huge difference.
The moment you step out of the hall, avoid getting into a detailed post-mortem of the paper with your friends. Discussing answers can create unnecessary anxiety, especially if your answer differs from others. What's done is done.
Go home, have a good meal, and relax for a few hours. Forget about the paper you just finished. Your entire focus must shift to preparing for the next exam. Check your calendar, see when your next paper is, and get back to your routine. The war is not over after one battle.