Exams are stressful enough - but many students lose marks not because they don’t know the content, but because of avoidable mistakes. According to a recent NDTV web story, skipping instructions is a top error. Students often fail to read general or question-specific guidelines, which can lead to unnecessary deductions. 

Another frequent issue: spending too long on a single question. That wastes precious time that could help you answer others.  Also, students sometimes write full essays for questions worth just a few marks — misjudging how much to write versus what’s asked. 

Leaving questions blank is risky. Even partial answers earn points, so it’s better to attempt every question. Small spelling or calculation errors also cost marks — so reserve 5–10 minutes at the end for proofreading. 

Finally, a common trap is answering what you think is asked instead of what is asked - always read the question twice before responding. 

To improve your exam performance, take these tips to heart: read the instructions, manage your time, tailor your answers, attempt everything, and double-check your work.