Strategies to Improve Exam Results

To improve exam results, students should practise time management, work on exam preparation, adopt effective study techniques and use educational videos to their benefit. Every student strives to score better marks in consecutive exams but fails a few times. Let us analyse the causes of exam failure. Beyond this, students who have witnessed exam failure or want to improve exam results must go through this blog to learn about different ways to help them study better.

Reasons for exam failure

Students who suffer from exam failure are most likely to feel depressed and question themselves. But instead of feeling low, students must analyse the cause of exam failure and work towards improving the exam results. Exam failure causes may vary from one student to another. Let us analyse how.

1. Inadequate exam preparation– Insufficient exam preparation due to improper study habits can cost students a semester or a year. It is essential to follow good study habits such as regular preparation, discipline and commitment to their studies. It is difficult to excel in exams without adequate time to study.

2. Lack of time management– Students often fail to allocate enough time to study each subject properly, leading to last-minute cramming and ineffective preparations. Students who try to mug up the entire syllabus in a hurry suffer from low retention and forget everything while appearing for exams.

3. Lack of exam technique– There is a difference between hard work and smart work. With the advent of technology in education, students are supposed to be more driven towards smart studies. While hard work requires more time, smart work helps in having a strategic approach towards improving exam results by using the proper techniques.

4. Last-minute anxiety– Lack of preparation, incomplete revision, and improper time management cause students to become anxious and stressed out while sitting in the exam hall. Even if a child has adequately studied, anxiety built by peer pressure and competition can impair the student’s cognitive function, making it harder to recall the studied information.

5. External distractions– Students often get busy with their smart gadgets and spend hours on social media and gaming. Noisy environments or family issues also act as distracting elements that keep students away from sound studies. Instead, students can use social media for education and utilise their time.

6. Setting unrealistic expectations- Students must set practical study goals instead of relying on high or unrealistic expectations. It only ends up creating unnecessary pressure and anxiety on students, leading to underperformance.

Benefits of proper exam preparation

Students appearing for exams tend to work themselves out during the last few days before exams. While some succeed, many students fail their exams in such cases. Even if the students pass, they cannot retain the valuable knowledge for long, and all their efforts are wasted. The advantages of exam preparations for students are as follows- 

1. Reduces anxiety– If students prepare themselves ahead of time, they can manage their timetable and get enough time for revision. Students are not burdened by the stress of last-minute studies or completing a significant amount of syllabus in less time.

2. Increases confidence– Proper exam preparation includes giving every subject adequate time, revisions, and solving model question papers. Going through previous years’ question papers and answering them correctly helps build confidence and reduce exam stress.

3. Improves retention– It is essential for students to study by keeping away all distractions. Students can use different study techniques for exam preparation to improve their focus and increase their attention span. Those who learn using effective study techniques can retain the studied information for extended periods.

4. Achieving goals– If students begin studying towards the fag end of their semester, they will end up skipping specific topics and concepts. The goal of studying is to cover everything taught in the class and supplement it with extra self-studies. Studying based on a set schedule helps improve exam results by achieving all goals.

Tips to improve exam results

If you have recently failed your exams or want to improve your current exam results, the following tips will help you improve your exam results.

1. Timely exam preparations– It will make little difference if you start studying at the last moment. So, if you have failed your exams or plan to improve exam results, begin your study preparations well. Avoid last-minute cramming and spread out your study sessions over a more extended period. This allows students to improve their understanding of the lesson and increases retention.

2. Have a timetable– By creating a study schedule, you have taken the first step to discipline yourself and progress towards your studies. It is essential to make a realistic, well-balanced and organised study schedule. Begin by categorising each subject’s simplicity or complexity level and then allocate specific time slots for each based on the category. The timetable for studies must include breaks to prevent burnout.

3. Having an idea about the exam format– Students must not enter the exam halls clueless. Instead, they should familiarise themselves with the exam format by going through the previous year’s question papers. Analyse how much time must be allotted to every section of the exam paper to organise yourself before exams.

4. Set your priority– All topics and concepts are never equally important. While some are crucial, others may be easier to understand and do not require much time. Students should identify key topics and concepts more likely to be asked in the exam. This can only be done when the students thoroughly understand the study material by being attentive in class.

5. Focus on active learning– By emphasising the primary learning style; students can filter various study techniques to improve exam results. Instead of passively watching educational videos, teachers must encourage students to practise constructivism in learning. Active learning methods such as paraphrasing the studied information in your own words, effective note-making, creating flashcards, and solving previous year’s practice questions help improve exam results.

6. Resolve your queries– Students may counter multiple questions and challenges when preparing for exams. Getting help from your peers, teachers, and parents is alright, but you must resolve all doubts. These days, educational videos help students clear most of their doubts from home. It helps in building a thorough understanding of concepts.

7. Learn to make notes– All the material that has been studied must be written in your own words to improve retention. Highlight lines, make flowcharts, and use sticky notes for more clarity. Using the tips for effective note-making, students can organise their study material and help with systematic revision.

8. Practise mindfulness– The most effective way to manage exam stress is meditation. Yoga is essential in student life as it helps relax the mind, body, and soul, which helps enhance focus and concentration during exams.

Role of parents in improving exam results of students

Parents play an essential role in helping students to improve exam results. They play an equal role in students’ exam success. Let us learn more about how parents can help students with their studies.

1. Parents must help build a sound and mentally stimulating environment where students can study without distractions.

2. Encourage your child to study and spend equal time in extracurricular activities that help in the holistic development of students.

3. Help your ward make a timetable and encourage them to follow it with complete discipline.

4. Avoid putting unnecessary pressure on students to perform exceptionally well in exams, as it can increase exam stress.

5. Promote a healthy lifestyle by providing a balanced diet and encouraging regular exercise.

These are a few ways how students can improve exam results and excel in their exams by keeping away stress and working productively towards achieving better results.

SKV is a CBSE-affiliated girl boarding school in India that offers a progressive education to students above class VI. Our teachers are experienced and aim to support and nurture students from all walks of life.