How to Crack Competitive Exams: Your Ultimate Guide!

Tips to Succeed in Competitive Exams

Competitive exams open gateways to some of the best career opportunities one can find, but at the same time they can feel challenging.

With over lakhs of students and aspirants preparing every year—all equally competent and driven—standing out requires smart strategies and not just studying 24/7. How do we plan for that?

As per Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, “Dreams are not what you see in sleep; dreams are things which do not let you sleep.” 

Taking a competitive exam should be one of those goals that, while challenging, motivates you to work harder and push your limits.

In this guide, we’ll start by sharing everything you need—from understanding the syllabus to managing stress—to help you ace your competitive exam!

Learn About the Exam Syllabus:

Before you even open your books, make sure you clearly understand the exam syllabus. You must have a copy of the syllabus with you every time you sit to study!

All exams—from JEE and NEET to UPSC and banking exams—have structured syllabi that outline precisely what you need to study. Compare it with your school syllabus, especially if you’re studying under the IB curriculum subjects. This will help you streamline your efforts and avoid wasting time on unnecessary topics.

Pro Tip: List all the topics covered in your exam and tick them off as you study. This simple trick will give you a sense of accomplishment and motivate you towards your goal.

Compare School and Competitive Exam Syllabus:

Many international students follow the IB Diploma Programme subjects, which focus on holistic learning. If your school syllabus overlaps the competitive exam syllabus, that’s a bonus!

Familiarise yourself with the exam syllabus even before you lay your hands on your books. Always have a copy of the syllabus within reach before you start with the preparation for competitive exams. 

The JEE and NEET examinations, as well as the UPSC and banking examinations, all have well-defined syllabuses that detail what needs to be covered. Try to match it with your school syllabus, especially if you are in an IB program. It will save time and effort in the long run. 

Fun Fact: Did you know that the IB curriculum is recognised worldwide for its critical thinking approach, which can actually help crack logical reasoning and aptitude-based exams?

Pick the Right Books:

With appropriate study materials, you can make your preparation more organised. Rather than purchasing a large collection of tomes, you should focus on acquiring textbooks suggested by the teachers and the students who have topped the respective exams.

Most competitive exams have base materials such as NCERT or CBSE textbooks, but these must be supplemented with reference books from reputed authors for better understanding and more practice.

Some must-have books for different exams are:

• JEE:

HC Verma (Physics), RD Sharma (Mathematics), NCERT (Chemistry).

• NEET:

NCERT (Biology, Chemistry, Physics), Trueman’s Biology.

• UPSC:

NCERTs (6th-12th), Laxmikanth (Polity), Ramesh Singh (Economy).

Find Helpful Online Study Resources

Today, students have access to various online learning formats. In relation to the competitive exams, platforms like Unacademy and Khan Academy provide both free and fee paying courses, which are exceedingly useful. Digital learning is also integrated by many of The best international schools providing students with quality materials. 

Study Previous Years’ Exam Papers:

One of the most effective methods for preparing for competitive exams is working through past exams.

This enables you to grasp the structure, the level of difficulty, and the questions that commonly appear. Working with a set schedule and trying to solve them in an exam context will also assist in relieving stress and adjusting you to the setting.

Balance School and Coaching Time:

Combining school with coaching is not easy at all, especially when you have to deal with an academically demanding program such as the IB Diploma Programme. Here are some tips on how you can cope:

• Use school hours efficiently—revise topics during free periods.
• Avoid unnecessary distractions and focus on key subjects.
• Don’t overburden yourself with multiple coaching classes; choose one that fits your needs.
• Set aside fixed hours every day for school homework and coaching assignments.

Dedicate Time for Self-Study:

Most students focus on coaching classes exclusively, which is detrimental since true learning takes place through self-study. Why is that so? Because Self-study improves concept retention. Here’s how to do it right:

• Use the Pomodoro technique (25 minutes of study, 5-minute break).
• Take handwritten notes—writing helps memory retention.
• Teach someone else—explaining a concept improves understanding.
• Summarise key points before bed—it strengthens recall.

Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam observed, “Learning gives creativity, creativity leads to thinking, thinking provides knowledge, and knowledge makes you great.”

Make a Daily Study Plan:

An examination study plan is essential. Rather than working at the last minute, try to allocate subjects for each day or week or month. A proper study plan includes:

• 6-8 hours of focused study
• 2-3 subjects per day
• Short breaks to avoid burnout

Use Easy Relaxation Methods:

Studying for hours without breaks leads to fatigue. Relaxation techniques can help:

• Breathing exercises/Pranayams: Practicing just five minutes of deep breathing can improve focus and bring freshness to the mind.
• Music therapy: Listening to instrumental music is proven to boost concentration.
• Creative hobbies: Hobbies like drawing, music, or writing can refresh your mind.
• Mindfulness meditation: A few minutes of mindfulness is known to reduce anxiety.

A study published in the Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine highlights how mindfulness significantly reduces academic stress.

Engage in Physical Activities:

Many individuals exercise during exam periods to prepare for exams, but exercising is also important for maintaining mental acuity. Consider the following ideas:

• Exercise to release endorphins, which reduce stress.
• Yoga enhances concentration and memory.
• Short walks during study periods helps in clearing the mind.
• Participating in sports helps improve decision making during high-pressure situations.

Many of the top international schools incorporate sports into their curriculum because it has a positive effect on the students’ learning achievements.

Practice Yoga and Mindfulness:

As Swami Vivekananda said, “The greatest sin is to think of yourself as weak.” Practising yoga and mindfulness gradually improves concentration and reduces anxiety, allowing one to stay strong mentally throughout the preparation period.

Keep a Positive Attitude:

How you approach the task at hand matters a lot. Trust that you can pass the exam and you have won half the challenge. Imagining yourself winning the exam is one great technique that many people find very effective. 

Enjoy Time with Family:

Do take a break from the preparation and put aside some time for your family. They will always be there to encourage you and help you stay grounded, which is most needed at this stage.

Stay Focused and Confident:

Finally, self-motivate yourself because you need it now more than ever. You are no novice; you have prepared well and worked hard. The only step left is to give it your very best.

Fun Fact: The highest recorded study session without a break is 24 hours and 4mins! However, experts suggest that pacing your studies is the best way to go about it. Remember, working smarter is more important than working harder!

Backed by Research!

A study published in the Journal of Education and Practice (India) highlights that students who follow a structured study plan, incorporate mindfulness techniques, and engage in self-testing perform better in competitive exams. This only serves to strengthen the case for balanced preparation! 

Yes, competitive exams are intensely challenging, however, the skills you acquire and the doors that open after your success makes it all worth it in the end. You can achieve your goal with the right competitive exam preparation strategy, a solid exam study plan, and a confident mindset. Serve your dreams with dedication, and success will follow.

Now, go out there, start your journey, and make your dream a reality!