Time Management In Your NBE Diploma Theory Paper

Jun 13, 2024

3 min read

8

1087

3

Maximizing Marks with Effective Time Management Strategies

Insider Secrets: Strategies of 2021 Batch Toppers

We are a group of dedicated doctors from the 2021 batch who have excelled in our exams with brilliant marks. Drawing from our collective experience, we have come together to compile a list of the most important strategies to remember during your exams. Our goal is to help you manage your time effectively and maximize your performance.

Now without wasting any further time, lets get started.

Tip #1 - Maximize Pre-Exam Time

Exams are usually conducted between 2 to 5 PM, with reporting around 12 PM. Although you can enter the hall until 1:30 PM, there's no need to rush in early and sit for one and a half hours. Use that extra hour for revision. Arrive at the centre by 12-12:15 PM, and revise there. This ensures you are utilizing your time effectively rather than sitting idle in the exam hall.

Tip #2 - Timing Your Entry

Depending on how strict your centre is, aim to enter around 1 PM. Even if you see others going in earlier, it doesn’t matter. Being the last person inside won't disbar you from taking the exam. This strategy allows you to use your time effectively for last-minute revisions and helps keep your mind fresh and focused.

"Getting in your exam centre first isn't going to achieve anything"

Tip #3 - Manage Bathroom Breaks

Go to the washroom 5-15 minutes before your exam starts to avoid needing to get up during the exam. Avoid drinking excessive amounts of water during the exam, as needing a bathroom break can create a significant mental gap, affecting your focus and writing. Staying seated for the entire exam duration helps maintain concentration. If you drink too much water and try to hold it, it can become a mental distraction.

Tip #4 - Allocate Time for Each Question

You have 3 hours (180 minutes) to complete your exam, typically consisting of 10 questions. This means you have approximately 18 minutes per question. However, to build in a buffer for any interruptions or invigilator instructions, aim to complete each question in 16 minutes. This strategy leaves you with some extra time at the end for reviewing your answers.

Here's a breakdown for different mark questions:

5-mark question: Aim for 8 minutes

10-mark question: Aim for 16 minutes

3-mark question: Aim for 5 minutes

7-mark question: Aim for 11 minutes

Finishing questions a bit earlier allows you to use the last 10-15 minutes to review and add any additional points to your answers.

Tip #5 - Track Time for Each Question

Write down the time by which you should complete each question on your answer sheet on the specific page number. This helps you stay on track and adjust your pace if you find yourself running behind schedule.

For example, you start the exam at 2 PM, your schedule might look like this:

Question 1: 2:00 - 2:16

Question 2: 2:16 - 2:32

Question 3: 2:32 - 2:48

And so on.

Tip #6 - Prioritize Questions

Start with the questions you find easiest or are most confident about. This builds your confidence and ensures you secure marks quickly. If you encounter a particularly challenging question, move on and return to it later. This prevents you from wasting too much time on one question and falling behind schedule.

Tip #7 - Stay Calm and Focused

Maintain a calm and focused mindset throughout the exam. If you start to feel anxious, take a few deep breaths to refocus. Staying calm helps you think more clearly and manage your time better.

Closing Statement

By following these time management strategies, you can approach your exams with confidence, ensuring that you have ample time to complete each question and review your answers. Good luck!

Subscribe for more such tips and to get a free guide to your NBE Diploma practical exams.