Board exams are an important academic milestone in every student’s life, as they present unique opportunities for courses, subjects, and academic knowledge. In India, board exams are conducted for Classes 10 and 12. Class 10 board exams are conducted for selection for particular streams in Class 11 and 12. Whereas, Class 12th board exams are conducted to measure students’ knowledge level in a particular field for college or university admission. Cracking or scoring 90+ in board exams is not as difficult as it sounds, for it only requires students to study consistently and keep themselves updated about all academic-related developments by their school and education board. One of the most difficult situations for board exam students is the stigma attached to them.
Parents, teachers, peers, and even we put a lot of strain on our mental health by giving way to importance to board exams. A lot of students, who have not prepared well enough for board exams feel stressed about the exam. Experts have termed this as exam phobia, meaning fear of an exam or fear of failing an exam. They want to score more on their exams but lack sufficient preparation, and mental pressure is built which affects their overall physical health.
To help students with their exam stress, we will uncover some of the best tips to overcome the board exam fear.
Highlights
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Class 10th (Matriculation) and Class 12th (Intermediate)
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15th February to 13th March 2024
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15th February to 2nd April 2024
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Reasons Why Do We Fear Exams?
Exam fear in students is developed due to several reasons. Every student has a different level of intelligence and perceives education according to their understanding. A student who has been actively participating in academic activities from an early age and studies consistently is more likely to perform better in exams than someone who only worries about exams and is not able to focus on their studies. Here are 7 reasons why students develop exam fear or exam phobia.
1. Fear of Failure
A lot of students fear failure and its related consequences, such as disappointment, low self-esteem, etc.
2. Too Many Expectations
Parents often have high expectations from their children which can have negative consequences. Societal expectations related to exam success build pressure and mental stress on students.
3. Competition
Healthy competition at the school level often turns to fear of not measuring up to peers. This fear of comparison can have negative impacts on self-confidence and exam performance.
4. Fear of the Unknown
Unfamiliar exam environment, exam settings and format of questions can contribute to anxiety and affect a student’s overall exam performance.
5. Irrational Beliefs
Irrational beliefs can affect our ways of perceiving exam-related information by building mental pressure. A lot of students engage in catastrophizing or being harshly judged by others.
6. Negative Past Experiences
Students who have had a negative experience, where their academic performance was poor, often develop a fear of exams. During the examination period, students relate their previous exam performance with their current situation.
7. High Stakes
We see exams are high-stakes events, where there are long-term consequences. In some students, this perception can intensify examination fear in them.
7 Tips to Overcome Board Exam Fear
No matter how intelligent a student is, everyone at some point in their academic life faces exam fear or exam phobia. Fear of exams to some extent is natural to be afraid of any important activity in life. It’s not just about exams or any academic-related activity. Even professional athletes, singers, stage performers and leaders fear an important activity or competition in their lives. However, a lot of times the fear of exams exceeds its limit and hampers students’ exam performance. So to overcome board exam fear, we have highlighted 7 amazing tips, which are suggested by experts. Appropriate implementation of these tips will help students overcome board exam fear.
Start With Basics
Focus on basic exam preparation by making a detailed study plan, understanding the exam syllabus and exam pattern, consulting with parents, teachers or siblings and studying consistently.
Preparation is Key
Remember, preparation is key. The level at which you prepare will result in your exams. Your understanding of topics and sub-topics included should be clear. Make notes, do daily revisions, solve sample papers, etc. to enhance your knowledge and exam confidence.
Follow Effective Study Techniques
Some of the effective study techniques are summarizing answers in your language, group study, explaining answers to peers, making flashcards, etc. Familiarise yourself with the exam environment by referring to previous exam papers and the latest updates in the exam patterns.
Positive Self Talk
Your past achievements can be your greatest strengths for your upcoming exams. Replace all negative thoughts with positive self-talk. Instead of focusing on the outcome of the exam, focus on the process of learning.
Rewarding Exercises and Breaks
Exam pressure often leads to burnout. To prevent this, take short 10-15 minutes of short breaks during study sessions. reward yourself after completing a challenging task, like solving a mock test in the given time frame.
Health Lifestyle
Studying for long hours affects our mental and physical health. During the examination period, students must not compromise with their overall health. 4 times proper meals and an adequate amount of water are very important to have a healthy lifestyle during exams.
Physical Excercise
During the examination period, schools and parents encourage students to focus solely on their exam preparation. However, performing physical exercises every day for 30 to 40 minutes can help students with their mental and physical well-being
These were some of the best tips to overcome the board exam fear. Implementing these tips in effective ways will surely help board students overcome their exam fears and perform better in exams. If you have any doubts related to board exams or college admission, talk to our experts at GeeksforGeeks.
Also Read:
7 Tips to Overcome the Board Exam Fear- FAQs
How to overcome board exam fear?
To overcome board exam fear, students must follow these tips: Consult with a senior, who understand your situation pretty well; focus on your exam preparation and not on the outcome; follow effective study techniques, such as making flashcards, group study sessions, solving previous exam papers, etc.
What are board exam preparation tips?
Here are some board exam preparation tips: Understand the exam syllabus and exam pattern, list down all the exam dates, prepare a detailed study plan according to the time you have, make short notes, highlight your strengths and weaknesses, do daily revision, solve mock tests and sample papers.
Are Class 12 board exams difficult?
The difficulty level of Class 12th board exams vary from student to student. A question identified as difficult by one student might me easy for others. It will depend on how well you have prepared for the exam. Students who score 90% or above in Class 12th board exams usally start their preparation 4 months prior to the commencement of the exam. Even experts consider 4 months as the ideal time to prepare effectively for Class 12th board exams.
What are the passing marks in board exams?
The minimum passing marks in board exams is 33%. It means, a student must score at least 33 marks in every subject to pass the examination. At 33% score, students are given Grade E. Moverover, passing marks can vary according to the education board and level of education.
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