Stumped by Difficult Topics or Questions During Exam Prep? 5 Strategies to Tackle Them Without Losing Precious Time

Tough questions can be tiring; they make the whole exam preparation process feel like an uphill battle. Every student hits that wall at some point, and nothing seems to make the tough topics any easier. 

You reread your notes, highlight the core concepts, and even stare at the page hoping something will click, but it just doesn’t. This article helps you explore 5 powerful strategies to tackle them without losing precious time.

1. Ask for Peer Help

Facing a tough question can make you feel lost and helpless. But remember, struggling with difficult questions is completely normal, and you are not alone. Whenever you feel stuck with a tough question, don't hesitate to approach your peers. 

Your classmates may have a better understanding of the question and may be able to explain it to you better. Discussing these topics with them will ease the burden, and you will gain a better understanding and clarity. 

You can organize a group study session to clarify each other’s doubts. This way, you can achieve together what’s difficult to accomplish alone, gaining a better understanding of challenging questions and topics during CBSE exam preparation.

2. Apply the Feynman Technique

The Feynman Technique, developed by physicist Richard Feynman, helps you understand concepts deeply by explaining them in your own words. You can pick a topic, then teach it to someone else or yourself. 

Try explaining the difficult topic as if you were teaching a younger student. When you get stuck or fumble, that’s the part you need to review and understand better. Once fully understood, test yourself by teaching again. This approach is effective across all subjects, helping students build lasting understanding and study smarter for the CBSE board exams.

3. Refer to Multiple Sources

If you find a topic challenging and tough, look for other sources that explain the same concept in a unique way and from a different perspective. Sometimes, a question that seems confusing in one source might be explained better in another. Read a simplified explanation, search materials online, or use educational apps. 

At the same time, consulting too many sources for a topic can leave you confused. Limit yourself to 2-3 reliable sources per topic and proceed with the one you find easiest. Explore multiple sources for a better understanding, but always deliver your answers in the required exam format.

4. Break it Down

Tough questions become too heavy to handle if you try to tackle them all at once. Try to break them down into smaller parts and learn each part individually. Once you understand one part, move on to the next; this will take off the burden and ease the task. Gradually, what once seemed intimidating will start to feel achievable, and your confidence will grow as you check off each part.

5. Create Mind Maps and Diagrams

Research shows that nearly 90% of the information transmitted to the brain is visual. Therefore, creating mind maps and diagrams for complex questions facilitates a smoother understanding and retention.

In a recent survey, 48% of male students and 36% of female students preferred visual learning over any other learning method. Visual learning helps you connect concepts well, which helps you to instantly recall the big picture during your class 10 and class 12 board exams.

Final Thoughts

Difficult questions are manageable when approached with effective strategies.. Following these methods also helps you ace your exams without losing time. Keep your chin up and tackle them with confidence and clarity. Remember, you class 10 and class 12 CBSE board exam prep isn’t about studying hard; it’s about how you study smart and focus on understanding concepts effectively.

FAQs

1. Are tough questions on a test a roadblock?
Tough questions can feel overwhelming, but they’re not roadblocks if approached strategically. Breaking them into smaller parts, revisiting difficult topics later, and using visual tools like mind maps make them manageable.

2. Do tough questions make a difference?
Yes, they test deeper understanding rather than rote memory. Tackling them helps strengthen problem-solving skills and builds confidence for similar challenges in exams.

3. Why is it important to know the different types of exam questions?
Knowing different question types helps you plan your strategy, allocate time efficiently, and apply the right techniques for each type, reducing stress and improving accuracy.

4. How to take a problem-based exam?
Focus on breaking complex problems into smaller, manageable parts, tackle one section at a time, and refer to multiple sources if needed. Visual aids like diagrams or the Feynman technique can also help clarify concepts.

5. How do you manage skipped questions on a test?
Don’t dwell on them immediately. Flag skipped questions and return after answering easier ones, ensuring time is managed efficiently and your mind is fresh for problem-solving.