Andhra Pradesh   

It's just another exam

Let Class X public examination be so for students. There is no point drilling into them its `importance' and adding to the shivers. Just stick to the basics to sail through, writes Tarangini SriramanLet Class X public examination be so for students. There is no point drilling into them its `importance' and adding to the shivers. Just stick to the basics to sail through, writes Tarangini Sriraman

LEARN TO RELAX: When time is short cramming for the exam will only lead to stress: — Photo: K. Ananthan

Cramming answers, group study, taking a mock test at the tuition centre or just relaxing... . students have their own way of approaching the all-important Class X public examination.

Considering that there is no genie to guide you through the examination, the best thing to do is study, that too in advance, say teachers. When it comes to the day before the exam and the day of the exam itself, they all urge students to stay cool.

Pressure, teachers say is the problem here. "This is their first public examination and are put under tremendous pressure by parents and teachers," says Ramchandra Reddy, a teacher with a Government school. "Relieve them of pressure, make them understand that this is just another annual examination and it will work wonders," he says with 20 years experience behind him.

Anuradha Rao who teaches English at Goutham Model School says that students should simply read the textbook thoroughly on the last few days of the examination. Question banks cannot help much.

They might offer a few exercises, but for a proper understanding, the textbook is paramount. Since there is hardly time for long preparation, teachers advise them to recall what they have learnt throughout the year.

Anuradha, mother of a student who took the public examination last year says, "On the day before the examination, look up vital things like where places should be marked on a map or certain diagrams or formulae, things that you are likely to forget"

Another parent, Fatima echoes Anuradha, "My son Mohammed Naveetuddin wants me to ask him questions based on what he has prepared on the day before the exam. He finds this a very useful way of revising." Teachers also have a suggestion for parents.

"Ask the children to take it easy on the day before the examination, make them sleep early and even watch a little TV for relaxation."

Tips welcome

Students have their own shortcuts, knacks and cues for last-minute preparation but they feel some tips they have acquired from seniors really work. Harshini, a student of St. Ann's Girls' High School in Vijayanagar Colony explains that she always looks at the objective type questions that are given on the last pages of a textbook and of course, model papers of previous examinations. "Concentrate on the compulsory questions as they mean a lot of marks. Answer these first in the exam," was the advice she got from seniors. Class X student of Rosary Convent, M. Rachana says,

"One must never attempt to cram something new, especially if this involves understanding concepts as these are learnt over time, and though you may succeed in learning it by heart, you might forget a small detail during the exam and your answer will just be marked wrong".

A popular counsellor and writer, Yandamoori Veerendranath says students should not waste too much time writing an answer just because they know it well as they will be left with little time to answer questions, which carry more marks.

The most common apprehension here is `the external examiner' who corrects lakhs of papers... even if you are bright, you cannot help worrying, `what if I don't do well in the public examination, then everyone will presume that my teachers were just partial to me', says Rachana.

Here clinical psychologist at the National Institute of Mental Health and former examiner, Sri Krishna Gannavaram seeks to reassure students, `No examiner wants to fail a student. When he corrects a paper, all he wants to know is if the student fulfils certain minimal requirements of writing well.'

Explaining this, he asks all students to bear in mind that exams are man-made.

All said and done, it is alright if a student is a little anxious.

He tells students even anchors on TV shows are nervous to start with, but settle down later.

Mr. Veerendranath offers vital suggestions, "Don't talk half an hour before the examination and don't hold post-exam discussions with your friends as it serves no purpose," he says.

While studying for the exam, if a student finds a particular topic uninteresting, he can sandwich it between two interesting topics, this way it will be easier for him, he says.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Mixed reaction to Rajnath's statement on Telangana
Farmer's suicide bid: CM seeks report
It's just another exam
When work is fun...
Hit it off with the Board
Be ready to tackle tricky questions
Briefly

Copyright © 2006, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu