Both toppers and laggards have 24 hours in a day. Some use them efficiently, others are not that blessed. Here is how you can ace the examinations:
Divide
If someone tells you that you have to go through 90,000 words and know the entire text inside out, it seems a mammoth task. However, if you break it down in 20 chapters or 5 units and think of preparing one unit per one week, the task suddenly seems so much more achievable.
Hence, never make the mistake of taking the entire curriculum as a whole. Always break it down into small pieces and set deadlines for finishing that one by one, and before you know, you will be done.
Wear the examiner's hat
Try to think from the perspective of the examiner. If you were commissioned to set a question paper, what are the type of questions you would introduce. If you are a genius, you can certainly go through everything and know each and every detail.
However, for students who are more human, try to pick the questions that the examiner is most likely to ask. Which chapter or topic was highlighted by the examiner in the classroom? What are the general hot topics? Know these fine points and prepare them well.
Previous papers
Previous papers are perhaps the most important tool to score well in examinations. There are certain types of questions which are repeated again and again in different forms. There are certain chapters which are given more weightage in every subject. Try to decode how these questions have been set over the years.
Questions from which chapter are subjective? Which are objective? Which are part of compulsory questions? Which are part of optional questions? Work accordingly.
Be smart
Talking about optional and compulsory questions, be very smart with what you invest your time in because, at the end of the day, everybody has only 24 hours.
Gaining knowledge is one thing but when you study to score well in exams, know that everybody is not Einstein and you have to pick and choose your battles.
If you like a particular topic and can't get a hang of the other one even to save your life, be thorough with the first one given that both topics come under optional questions.
Most importantly, sleep well the night before, and you will be just fine.