15 Sure Shot Tips for succeeding in Competitive Exams

Competitive exams to get any Govt Job are all about smartness. The right blend of knowledge and practical approach towards handling questions in a limited period of time can make you stand above all. Usually, competitive exams compromise of numerous questions from different subjects. As an examinee, you will be required to answer questions from every section. Therefore, it is necessary for a candidate to learn the importance of time management in competitive examinations. Your objective should be to gather good marks in every section and clear the minimum cutoff. If you are able to manage this, you can easily clear your competitive exam. Here are 15 strategies and sure shot tips that will help you to succeed in competitive exams to get any Govt Job you dreamt about.

#1 Know your syllabus

The first thing which you are required to know is your syllabus for the competitive exam. Subjects such as Mathematics, Logical Reasoning, Data Interpretation, English and General Knowledge are common for every competitive exam. Nevertheless, the requirement of knowledge under each subject depends on the type of competitive exam that you are appearing for. For an instance, when you are appearing for a banking examination your general knowledge should be more in the banking sector.

#2 Time allotment for each subject

Competitive examination is a test of time management for every candidate. Therefore, as a candidate you should invest time in every subject. Suppose there is only 3-month time for you to prepare for your examination. So, your focus should be to use these 120 days for preparing all the subjects. Time allotment for every subject will depend on your proficiency on subjects. If you are strong in maths, then you would spend less time in Maths in invest more time in subjects which requires attention.

#3 Prepare a study chart

Preparing a study chart is the highway for completing the syllabus on time. Make a schedule for a month which will have details on how you are going to approach every subject. It is important to touch each subject on a daily basis such that you do not lose the track of events. With gradual proceedings, you will be soon in a position to complete the syllabus for all subjects on time. At the end of each month, review the areas that you have covered so far and make sure that you revise them on a weekly basis.

#4 Focusing on your strength

The shortcut to clearing competitive exams is the subject in which you are strong. If you are strong in English, then make sure that you are thorough with every chapter. This will allow you to score maximum marks in English and give you an advantage over others. Average marks in remaining subjects are still good enough for you to make it to the next round. If you do not have a strong subject, then try to locate the areas which you can manage easily such as probability, general knowledge in banking sectors, etc.

#5 Practice

It is a well-known fact that ‘Practice makes a man perfect’. May it be mathematics or logical reasoning, if you are practicing an area regularly there are less chances of making a mistake. Dedicated hours on a daily basis will make you an expert in the given topics. However, if you are not practicing regularly, then you might make silly errors while working on those problems later on. Similarly, practicing your grammar and comprehension skills is also important. Do not leave any subject untouched for more than 3 days.

#6 Working on weak areas

For definite success, one has to ensure that his weakness are converted into strengths. Maths is a common weakness for candidates. Nevertheless, they can work in areas such as number system, algebra and basic geometry. You can also leave trigonometry if your remaining areas under mathematics is good. Subjects such as English and General Knowledge also fall under weak areas. Attempt a question only if you are sure about it. Else it can result into negative markings in certain cases.

#7 Smart Study

The objective of competitive exams is to pick smart candidates. The paper is prepared in such a manner that only the smartest can get through. The question paper includes questions from various subjects and hence, students are required to go through a series of concepts and practice. Interestingly, students are able to answer the most number of right answers are selected rather than the ones who were able to solve the toughest of problems. This means that you are required to be smart enough to choose the easy ones and solve them first, rather than struggling with the hard ones.

#8 Speed Optimization

If you the blessing of speed, nothing can stop you. Since all competitive exams are time bound you should be fast enough to solve as many problems as possible. Speed optimization is only possible when you have clear concepts and dedicated practice hours.

#9 Question Judgement

When you first look at the question paper your job is to analyze the paper and categorize the questions. Prefer grading the questions with T, A and E. T will reflect tough questions, A will reflect average questions and E will suggest easy questions. Once the analysis is over, start with E and try to finish them off as soon as possible. Then begin with A and work dedicatedly on them. After being done with E and A, hit the T questions and try to solve them logically, if your answer is not matching with any given option, then leave the question. This will save you from negative marking.

#10 Building confidence

Confidence in the examination hall is very important. Have confidence in your abilities and recall your strong areas. If you are feeling nervous, then simply think about the problems which you had solved previously with ease. An innovative way to build confidence is to solve the E grade questions first followed by A grade. If you can manage these two sections, you can easily manage to solve some of the T grade questions as well.

#11 Avoiding doubtful areas

 It is absolutely foolish to try something new just days before the examination. Candidates who look forward to start trigonometry just days before the actual exam end up scoring low in overall result. This is because on one hand, they are trying to understand something complex and on the other hand, they are unable to revise the existing lessons. This makes the situation worse for any candidate.

#12 Plan for answering

Always have a plan to answer the questions. To start with select the questions which you are not going to attempt (just ignore them). Then pick the ones which you can answer easily followed by selecting the average and the tough ones. Use the given options to locate the answers in cases of quadratic equations and logical reasoning. This will give you additional time in hand. Use the same time in managing the tough questions. Do not spend more than 2 minutes on any questions while attempting them for the first time.

#13 Maintaining composure

Do not panic while answering. If you do so, you will not be able to solve even the easy ones. Control your breathing and solve each question on the basis of its merit. Suppose you could solve one question in just 4 seconds, then use the remaining seconds in the tougher questions. Even if you are unable to solve it, then leave it and move ahead with other questions.

#14 Vedic Math

 A little knowledge of Vedic maths can do miracles for you in the examination. Multiplying and dividing big numbers can be a problem for you. But, if you have sound knowledge of Vedic Maths then you can easily manage these areas and solve the problems at a blistering pace. This is where you can gain an edge over other candidates who have appeared for the examination.

#15 Being Optimistic

When the day of exam arrives, just relax yourself and think about good things such as your first day at college, your 18th birthday, moments spent with friends, etc. Take this exam as a routine work and do not express the feeling of being nervous. Always remember that you did your best and there is always a better tomorrow waiting for you. Enter the examination hall in a sporting spirit and be confident. In this way you can easily manage the exam in time and look forward to attempt even the toughest questions with ease.

Competitive exams are like a game of cricket. The better candidates always win, sometimes with their efforts and sometimes with their luck. However, it is you who decide your position in the winning team through your hard work, passion and determination. The syllabus is known to you and you have sufficient time to prepare for it. Invest dedicated hours in studying and the day is not far when you will have your dream Govt job knocking at your door! Best of Luck for your competitive exams.

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