Success in Exams and Life: Master Time Management & Strategic Priorities | Sawan Kumar
The Parallel Between Exam Success and Life Success
The approach we take toward exams often mirrors our approach to life. Whether it's Class 10th board exams, professional certifications like CA, or everyday challenges, the fundamental principles of success remain consistent. In this insightful discussion, Sawan Kumar shares valuable lessons on how strategic time management and priority setting can lead to success both in examinations and in life.
The Common Exam Mistake: Fighting With a Single Question
One of the most common mistakes students make during exams is getting fixated on a single difficult question. Consider this scenario: you're attempting a 100-mark accounting paper. You encounter a balance sheet problem worth 10 marks that just won't balance. What do you do?
Many students spend excessive time—sometimes more than an hour—trying to resolve this single problem. This approach has serious consequences:
Even after spending an hour, you might not completely solve the question
You sacrifice precious time that could be used for other questions
You may end up leaving 3-4 questions (worth 30-40 marks) unattempted
This perfectionism on a single question can cost you significantly in the overall exam performance.
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Strategic Time Allocation: A Better Approach
Sawan Kumar shares his personal strategy that helped him succeed in various exams including CA Foundation, CA Inter, and CA Final:
"I would create a strategy before starting the exam. For a mathematics or accounting subject, I would allocate specific time for each question based on its marks—approximately 10 minutes for a 10-mark question, with 8 minutes for solving and 2 minutes for review."
The key is discipline. If you're stuck on a question and can't solve it within the allocated time, move on. Remember, you're not fighting a battle with any particular question—your goal is to attempt the entire paper effectively.
Focus on Yourself, Not Others
Another crucial success factor is maintaining focus on your own performance rather than comparing yourself with others. During exams, many students waste time and mental energy worrying about how others are performing.
"I never paid attention to what the person in front, beside, or behind me was doing. This approach helped me complete every exam 15-25 minutes early, while others struggled to finish."
This self-focus applies not just to exams but to life as well. When you concentrate on your own strengths and weaknesses rather than comparing yourself to others, you can better allocate your energy where it's most needed.
Balance Across All Subjects and Life Areas
Just as you need to pass all subjects to succeed in an academic year, you need to maintain balance across different areas to succeed in life. Sawan explains:
"If you have 10 subjects, you need to pass in each one. Scoring 90+ in one subject but failing in another won't help you pass the exam."
The same principle applies to life. We've all seen examples of people who excel in one area but struggle in others:
Those who earn tremendous wealth but have poor relationships
Those who developed great relationships but neglected financial stability
True success requires balance. You must give appropriate attention to all important areas of your life:
Professional development
Personal relationships
Financial stability
Health and well-being
Mental and spiritual growth
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Prioritize Your Weaknesses
Interestingly, the subjects or areas where you're weakest often need the most attention. Top performers understand this principle:
"Students who perform well don't necessarily find all subjects equally interesting. They too have favorites and subjects they dislike. However, they put extra effort into the subjects they're weak in."
This counterintuitive approach—focusing more on areas where you're less comfortable—is essential for holistic success.
Embrace Necessary Tasks, Even When Unpleasant
Life doesn't always allow us to choose only what we enjoy. As Sawan points out:
"We don't always have the option to say 'I don't like this, so I won't do it.' Most of the time, we face things that we may not enjoy but still need to do."
The solution isn't to avoid these tasks but to change your mindset:
"I love whatever I do. I do it with love, intensity, and honesty."
This mental shift—learning to embrace and find value in necessary tasks—is a hallmark of successful people.
Be Selfish About Your Growth First
In both exams and life, there comes a point where you need to prioritize your own growth before helping others. Think of the airplane oxygen mask instruction: secure your own mask before helping others.
"First pass your own exam, first become successful yourself. Then you will have plenty of time to help others, to make others successful."
This isn't selfishness in the negative sense—it's a recognition that you can't effectively help others if you haven't established your own foundation.
Conclusion: A Holistic Approach to Success
Success, whether in exams or in life, comes from strategic time management, balance across different areas, focusing on your own growth rather than comparing with others, and embracing necessary tasks with a positive mindset.
Remember these key takeaways:
Don't waste excessive time on single problems
Create and stick to a time management strategy
Focus on yourself, not others
Balance your attention across all important areas
Give extra attention to areas where you're weakest
Learn to love what you must do
Secure your own success before trying to help everyone else
By applying these principles consistently, you can achieve not just academic success but a fulfilling and balanced life as well.
About the Author: Sawan Kumar is an experienced educator and mentor who has helped countless students succeed in their academic and professional journeys through strategic approaches to learning and life management.