Things NOT to Do for Exam Preparation

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

 

Introduction

Ever wondered why some aspirants even after studying for a shorter duration score well as compared to the students who study hard for months or even years?

The answer lies in the various methods of preparation.

There are some do’s and don’ts that can make or break your outcomes. In this article, we will specifically talk about the things you shouldn’t do while preparing for your examinations.

So, without wasting any more time, let’s jump in!

 

Don’t stress

We know it is the most common advice you hear all the time and it’s often the most difficult one to follow. But still, it is very important to try not to panic before your FRM exams.

This is the most common reason behind poor performance during the examination.

When you become stressed and anxious, you lose control and forget even basic things you’ve learned. Stress can ruin your entire preparation.

No matter how hard you’ve studied, you’ll not able to perform well with a worried mind.

Thus, the best thing you can do is stay calm and composed. Try to visualize yourself in the test room during your preparation period.

This will help you to gain focus and full concentration by removing all sorts of stress and anxiety.

 

Don’t stress about being penalized

This is another thing a lot of students worry about and get panicky over. It is the fear of being marked-down for mistakes.

Avoid making this mistake and always remember that the Financial Risk Manager examinations do not employ penalties for incorrect answers.

 

Don’t leave questions unanswered

Another reason why students perform poorly in the exams is they leave out questions which they feel they can’t answer correctly. You must never do this!

Instead of ignoring questions you don’t know completely, give them a try and then move on. You may recall something useful later in the test that will help.

 

Don’t waste time

If you don’t want to run out of time, learn time management skills. Generally, many students waste time reading through and thinking of all the possible answers and questioning themselves.

Be confident in your choices and move on.

A good way to learn time management is through utilizing mock tests and practice runs regularly during the preparation phase.

Create an exam-like atmosphere, use a timer and be strict with yourself.

 

Don’t exhaust yourself

While hard work is the key to success, this doesn’t mean you have to punish your mind and body. In an exhausted state, you’ll never be able to get the desired results.

This is why we always say, work smarter rather than harder.

So, stay calm and get adequate rest. Have a proper diet and sleep for at least 7 hours each day.

This will not only freshen up your mind but will also keep you positive and you’ll be able to prepare more efficiently.

 

Leave worrying about the results behind

This is another mistake most of the competitive aspirants make. They spend quite a lot of time thinking what if they couldn’t score well and what if they get failed.

These questions prevent them from focusing on their preparations and they often become very frustrated.

Avoid such negative thoughts and don’t think about the outcomes. Just prepare as best as you can and stay positive.

Always remember, you’ll get the results according to your level of preparation not according to your thoughts.

 

Avoid all-nighters

We have seen students studying all day without taking any rest and still failing in their exams. The basic logic behind this tip is, you can’t focus well when you study for extremely long hours.

Lack of rest can have a very negative impact on your preparation. So, study for short periods. A good idea is to take a 15-minute break after every 1 hour of study.

The truth is that we are all different here and we all have varying attention-span lengths. Know thyself.

 

Don’t be nervous

Nervousness is the root cause of confusion and poor concentration. Stay positive and be focused during your preparation period.

Set a limited time for thinking about other things and meanwhile focus on your prep methods.

 

Avoid last-minute preparations

If you think that not studying the whole time and preparing a night before can help you pass any exam, you’re absolutely wrong. It will only make you confused and stressed.

So, believe in yourself and prepare everything in advance. Start early and go little-by-little.

Keep clearing your concepts beforehand so that you don’t end up confusing the important topics.

 

Don’t procrastinate

Procrastination is one of the biggest hurdles in the path of success.

Don’t wait for that perfect day.

Start now.

 

Avoid both over- and under- sleeping

While having a proper sleep is extremely crucial, oversleeping can have a negative impact on your preparations as well. So, consistently sleep for a fixed amount of time daily and avoid oversleeping.

 

Don’t be distracted by social media

Please put your phone on silent and in some other room while you study- otherwise you end up checking it every few minutes.

You prevent yourself from scrolling the social media platforms unnecessarily- this can become a great obstacle if you let it.

Switch off and start reading.

 

Don’t depend on group studies

While studying in a group is a great way of preparing and resolving those doubts, it can slow your progress by increasing your dependence on others.

So, avoid depending on your smart partner and instead work on improving your own knowledge and skills.

 

In the end

Focus on making the concepts clear and keep revising them until the exam date. Revision plays a very important part as it strengthens your preparation and boost your confidence levels.

Follow these simple tips and you’ll definitely crack anything that comes your way.

 

Thank you!

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Always focus and keep moving up,

The QuestionBank Family