It is proven that the human brain forgets 50% or more of the same thing it read that day. Thus, for retaining such a vast syllabus in the NEET exam, revision is extremely important. While it is good to study at your own pace and complete chapters one by one, make sure you revise them concurrently. If you revise them after a couple of months, you will barely remember anything, and it will be like starting over.
You must review your concepts frequently in order for them to stick in your brain for the long term as well as to save time on exam day. Below, we will provide you with some helpful revision tips to enhance your preparation strategy for highly competitive examinations like NEET.
Also read - 5 Important Preparation Tips of NEET Toppers
Revision Tips for Competitive Exams like NEET
Competitive exams like NEET 2022 are not easy to prepare. Students have no time to carry out even the most mundane tasks during this phase. Playing their favourite sport has to be put on hold, as does socialising with friends. It is understandable why students devote so much time and energy to competitive exams.
Taking competitive examinations with confidence can be a daunting task. Some of the methods are listed below if you want to be a step ahead of your competition.
1. Begin Early
It is common for students to start revising just a few days before their exams. While a few days or a month just before the exam should be dedicated to revision, this is not the right approach. It's similar to athletes not starting their training just before a match; revising shouldn't be left until the last minute. With proper planning, you should start revising as soon as possible.
2. Plan Wisely
The importance of planning for an exam cannot be overstated. Your preparation determines your success on the exam, and your planning determines your preparation. To prepare for the NEET exam, you must plan your study hours, the subjects or topics you will study, and the books you will refer to. Also, planning for revision is essential. To plan your revision for NEET, consider the following points:
Set up a revision schedule.
Determine the best time to revise.
Divide the revision sessions into sections.
Maintain a strict schedule.
3. Be Active, Not Passive
Passive and active revision are the two methods of revision. Most students follow the passive method, while only 10% follow the active method, which is the most effective method. In the passive method, you read NCERT textbooks repeatedly and then solve MCQs. The active method, on the other hand, involves solving MCQs before reading textbooks as they allow you to identify your strengths and weaknesses. By doing so, you will know which topic or subject needs more attention.
Prioritise revising weaker topics first and then the stronger ones, as this will make revising faster and you will feel more confident. In order to solve MCQs, you can use any MCQ book based on the NCERT textbooks. Engage in active learning by understanding and connecting the points you are learning.
4. Use Variations
It's better to vary your revision process rather than focusing on one topic all day. Say you decide to revise the chapter "Respiration in Plants". Don't try to revise the entire chapter in one day by devoting 5-6 hours in one day; you can instead spread out your revision sessions. It is recommended that you devote one hour daily to revising this topic for five to six days. A long-term study of a specific topic will allow you to learn and revise effectively. Once you've finished revising the first topic, take a break and review what you've learned, and move on to the next topic.
5. The Pomodoro Technique
Many students study continuously without taking a break for long periods. The students do not perform well in school or coaching tests or exams despite studying long hours. It becomes difficult for you to remember all the information that you've studied when you study for long hours continuously. It is not a good idea to study continuously for a long period of time. In the Pomodoro method, you study for 45 minutes, then take a break of 15 minutes. It is one of the most effective methods of studying since it allows you to focus and concentrate better. The most important thing is to study effectively, not how many hours you spend revising.
6. Use Flowcharts and Classification Tables
It is important to use mind tools in order to learn and understand the concepts better. The learning process is made easier and faster with the help of mind tools. It is difficult to remember all the steps and their correct order when studying pathways or cycles in biology. By making flowcharts, you can gain a deeper understanding of the process. A similar method of studying is to compare and learn. Many concepts can be compared in a table, including Newton's laws of motion, light and dark reactions, respiration, fermentation, tissue types, solid types, and others.
7. Take Advantage of Formula Notebook
While studying, note down all the formulas in the NCERT on a separate sheet of paper. It does not require you to open the NCERT textbook and search for a particular formula repeatedly. Make a separate formula notebook for different subjects, such as Physics or Physical Chemistry. For a systematic study plan, note the formulas for each chapter and topic. This will enable you to revise quickly and save time since you have noted all the formulas in one place.
8. Testing Yourself is Vital
The NEET exam consists of multiple-choice questions. Thus, it's vital to apply the knowledge you've learned appropriately. Solving mock tests and previous year's question papers will help you test your knowledge. When you know the types and number of questions asked in the NEET exam, you will be able to identify important topics and understand how the exam will be conducted.
You can evaluate your preparation and performance by taking many mock tests online. You should start taking mock tests three months in advance of the test. As you prepare for the test, take one mock test per week in the first month. In the second month, take two mock tests per week. Finally, in the final month before the test, take three mock tests each week. Try to improve your score in every attempt as if you were writing the main exam.
Conclusion
Your revision process should also include active recall. In active recall, the read chapter facts are rewritten in your head as you answer the self-made short questions. Notes should be made on your study table and visited several times daily for active recall. Your performance will improve with this practice in the long run.
To crack the exam and increase your rank, revision is a must. A topper's ability to revise significantly differentiates him/her from an average student. Make sure you revise frequently and don't settle for less. We wish all our readers all the best for their upcoming competitive examinations.
