Have you ever wondered why some students who do not have more knowledge than you of the subject matter score more than you? Why do you think does this happens even after putting those long hours studying, you are not getting the results?
It is a possibility that you do not do well in an exam situation. Although studying all through the year matters a lot, but it is a known fact that the quality of study you do during those crucial exam days account for example 50% of your marks.
How can students score more?
There is a concept of smart studying that most of the toppers employ to get results. The following are a few tricks that can be used by you to score more.
1. High priority topics first
The human mind has a tendency to start studying from the very start. What students usually do is that they start from the very beginning of the course where their tutor started teaching. But during exam times this thing does not work because usually, we need to revise the high marked topics first, and then if time permits, the low scoring topics can be revised.
2. Practice exam papers
Another important thing that every student knows but hardly does is practicing mock and past papers. This is a very important practice that they ignore. Practicing past papers in an exam simulated environment gives you an idea as to what the paper pattern will be, what are the important topics that usually come in exams, and should be prepared for first and where you are making your mistakes and how you can improve them.
What’s more, is that practicing during the same time slots as exams helps your mind to expect mental activeness at that particular time.
Also practicing helps you quickly revise all the important topics that could come in exams without any hassle of going through deeply into those big books. Practicing past papers improves 20% chances of increment in your score according to some researches.
3. Focus on revisions
Some students have a tendency to go deep into the subject matter in their very first reading. This is good when you are studying something for the very first time. But exam times are revision times. It is very difficult to know everything in just one attempt by going deep.
If you do it this way, you would never be able to finish your complete course in the limited time you have and that would lower your confidence. Just skim through the topics in the initial revisions. This way the mind would prepare itself subconsciously and then when you go back to the topic, it would be prepared to digest more.
4. Mix and match
Combine practical subjects and theory subjects in a day for revisions. If your target is to finish just the theory in a day and catch onto practical subjects the next day, you are bound to slow down. This is because of the reason that the human mind needs breaks. If you mix and match the theory–practical subjects in a day, your output will definitely increase.
Getting good grades is not only about cramming the textbooks and printing out an answer word to word in the answer sheet. For achieving good grades in the exams, one has to have a deep understanding of the subject.
Getting straight As is probably not a child's play but it is not as difficult as it seems at first. With some determination and a bit of self-discipline, anyone can obtain better grades in their examination. If you follow the below-mentioned steps, there is nothing that can stop you from achieving your goal.
How to Improve Your Grades:
There are many ways to improve grades. It starts from study style, the way we study, how the students do their day to day activities and many more. Have a look at some essential points to help students improve grades and perform better in academic study.
Organizing Yourself
One of the most simple ways to get higher marks in exams is to systematize your methods. After setting a target, it is essential that you organize yourself before making efforts to acquire your goals. You will not be able to think straight if you are disorganized.
Your thoughts will just crumble in your brain in a haphazard manner which can make focusing on your goal even more difficult. Here are fantastic tips on how to get organized before actually sitting down to study.
1. Make a schedule
There is one thing that makes the toppers stand out from the rest of the crowd and get better grades, that is, they plan their work well in advance. Make a timetable that includes everything from studying, meals to leisure time.
First, write down how much time you can devote to your studies per day according to your learning capacity. Make sure your goals are not unrealistic. Strike a balance between studying, playing, having fun, and relaxing.
When you have a well-planned agenda, you automatically eradicate most of the hurdles in your path to success. Now all you have to do is stick to that schedule.
2. Organize Your Room and Bookshelf
A neat, clean, and organized room eliminates a factor of confusion right there. You can focus better in an organized atmosphere. Start out by cleaning and arranging your room. Organize your locker, bag, desk, drawers, etc.
Keeping your room clutter-free will not take up as much time as you think. If you are wondering how to get good grades, a systematic surrounding is a way to go!
Keep your books in different sections on your bookshelf. Keep the books and notebooks of the same subject together and don't mix them up with other subjects. This way you will not waste time rummaging through each textbook before finding the one you need.
You will not lose any of your stuff when there is a place fixed for everything because let's face it, nobody likes a drawer filled with bits of random papers! It just adds to your worry and diverts your concentration.
3. Get Some Labels
Nothing can spoil the study time more than random papers scattered in a disorganized manner. It creates chaos and confuses the student even before he starts studying. Too many papers lying around can instigate a feeling of panic, and the student might think that the circumstances are getting out of hand.
So, it is essential to keep all the papers in a file with proper labels. That way you can refer the label to get access to any paper as and when required. This is one of the most simple ways to get higher marks in exams.
4. Get a Calendar and a Planner
The best way to keep track of assignments, submission dates, and test dates is to mark them on a calendar. Either purchase a wall calendar or download a calendar app that enables you to mark important dates and schedule reminders.
Also, get a planner or a bullet journal to plan your day to day activities. Plan out your entire day in the morning and note it down in the journal. You can also use a test planner to keep track of homework and prepare for quizzes. This will help you in avoiding last moment preparations and relieve exam stress.
Gaining Information and Learning
This is when the real game begins. Now when you have adequately organized yourself, it is time to give your best and actually start studying.
1. Figure Out Your Style of Learning
Different study techniques work for different students. Some students do their learning by visualizing things whereas some can best absorb information when they hear it. There are some students who understand concepts by building real-life models or through practical applications.
Adopt the style that works the best for you. For example, use diagrams, graphs, pie charts, etc. if you can see and learn things. Record the lectures if you think that the best way of learning is to hear something over and over again. You can also use a combination of various techniques to enhance your learning experience and make it more interesting.
2. Taking Notes and Clarifying Doubts
It is not possible to remember everything that your teacher says in class and that too when you have so many subjects to study. Therefore, it is a good idea to note it all down in your notebook. This way, when you flip through your notes later, you will remember most of the things taught in class and won't forget any important concepts.
Now taking notes does not mean that your teacher will dictate everything to you. Just note down the important points so that you get a gist of the topic when you read it later. Also, clarify any queries in the class itself. This way you will not be left behind in the upcoming lectures.
When there are too many notes to learn, things might get a little tedious. You can be creative with your notes in order to maintain an interest in the subject or a particular topic. Highlight the essential parts so that you know the priority of topics when you study your notes. You can also use colored pens to create variations. Although don't go overboard with using colorful pens and highlighting as this might defeat the purpose.
3. Reading The Textbook
Another thing that helps achieve good grades apart from studying notes and paying attention in class is reading your textbook. There are some points that even the teachers fail to mention in class That is when your textbook helps. Every concept is explained in detail. All you need to do is read, understand, and memorize it in your mind.
Although it is not possible to read the entire textbook right before the exams. Therefore, when you read for the first time, do not forget to underline or highlight the main points. If you concentrate on the main ideas, your mind will keep going!
4. Do Your Homework
Instead of considering homework as an unavoidable burden, think of it as a way to practice. Doing your homework on the same day it was allotted keeps the concepts fresh in your mind and gets your brain working.
Even if the submission date of your assignment is after a week or two, get started as soon as possible. This will save you the headache of rushing with your homework. Avoid last-minute emergencies at any cost. Take your teacher's help if you are stuck somewhere.
Keep your homework at the top of your priority list. Once you are finished with your homework, you will feel mentally free while performing other activities. If possible discuss the homework with a studious classmate or a friend who is preferably more sincere than you. Being surrounded by goal-oriented people can have an immensely positive impact on your academics.
5. Prepare for Tests
Do not take any test lightly. Even if a class test is not included in the final assessment, take it seriously. Answer the questions asked in every test as if you are writing your final paper. If possible, prepare with a friend who does not distract you. You can also choose to help out a fellow-classmate with his difficulties. When you explain a concept to someone, you absorb it deeply and also help to benefit another student.
When the marks of the test are announced carefully look at the mistakes, you made and learned from them. Do not repeat any mistakes in the final examination.
3 Ways To Get Better Grades In Tests With Smart Studying:
What sets brilliant students apart is their way of studying and the tips and tricks they use to stay at the top. You do not always have to work extremely hard or sacrifice your fun time to get good grades. Some creativity and smartness are bound to get you to achieve your goal. Let's take a look at some ways to get good grades on tests with smart studying.
1. Stop Cramming
If you wish to develop study skills for exam success stop cramming. Cramming is basically a shortcut that students resort to in order to escape a concept. It might get you good grades once or twice, but there will come a day when you will start to forget things and severely mess up your examination.
A very common complaint among the students is that even if they learn something for hours, they tend to forget it while writing for an exam. This is because they learn it up without understanding the logic.
2. Using Memory Tricks
Smart students do not merely memorize what is in the textbooks. So, instead of fretting over a thick textbook or a lengthy subject, use memory-enhancing tips and tricks such as study guides, flashcards, abbreviations, etc.
This is the best way to develop study skills for exam success. So, if you are thinking "how I can boost my grade" get started on the above-mentioned steps as soon as possible.
3. Relax
One of the most important things to do in order to get good grades is to study with a relaxed mind. If you panic while studying, you will deprive yourself of a deeper understanding of a subject or a topic.
So, if you are still wondering how to improve your grades, remember that the importance of good grades in exams is undeniable. Even if fellow-students treat you differently, always remember that you might not see them ever, but the A's in your transcript will help you throughout your life.