How to achieve a high score without excessive effort

Everyone wants to score an average of 8.0, but many believe that doing well requires significant effort. Whether you're in high school or university, diligent studying is often seen as the best method to achieve a perfect score. However, fortunately, there are numerous strategies that can help you improve your scores without overexerting yourself.

Have a clear strategy. Right now, you should aim to lead your studies rather than search for ways to escape from a difficult situation. In the first week, set a goal to master the foundational knowledge for each subject and avoid dedicating excessive time to any one subject. Keep your average score between 8 and 10. Then, work to improve the subjects you struggle with to around 95% to feel more confident.

• Whenever possible, participate in activities that offer extra points and help boost your overall score to around 9-10. In the final week, focus on completing projects, and if your grades are already high, you can skip some homework assignments.

Understand the school's grading policy clearly. Research how your school calculates the average grade to learn about the bonus points for participating in advanced classes, the actual grades on your transcript, the cutoff scores that determine classifications, and any other factors that might impact your final grade. Grading is a game every student must play, and the more you understand the rules, the better you will perform.

Maximize your first week of classes. The first impression you make on your teachers is very important, so remember to give them a good reason to remember you positively. If you can show that you are polite, respectful, and diligent at the start of the year, teachers will be more inclined to be kind and grade your work with more leniency. It's much easier to create a good first impression than to fix a bad one.

Raise your hand to ask questions and volunteer to answer the teacher's questions. You might have to practice the art of pretending to be smart and always staying prepared. Showing that you are well-prepared and engaged will be easier than truly becoming an expert. Try to recall something related to the subject at hand. Often, teachers will praise the ideas you offer and then guide you toward the answer they are seeking. This method has two benefits: first, teachers will think you're paying attention in class, and second, they'll believe you have independent thinking skills and will be more lenient in grading your work. Teachers love students who actively participate in class, and sometimes, they even boost your grade for your involvement. Grades are flexible; a teacher can change a 4 to a 10 and vice versa, and while the actual change in grade might not be huge, every little bit helps.

Don’t hesitate to collaborate or seek help. You should ask your teachers, parents, or classmates to explain any material you may have missed. It's easier to ask for help than to spend time figuring out the answers on your own. Arrive at school early to ask for assistance. If your teacher offers help outside of class hours, take advantage of it. Even if you're struggling with the material, if you show that you’re dedicated to learning, your teachers may reward you with better grades.

Be aware of extra assignments that don't impact your grade. To truly understand this, try to think from your teacher's perspective. Teachers are human too, with busy schedules outside of class, perhaps even busier than yours. Also, keep in mind that for each assignment you submit, your teacher has to grade it, and with 100 students, they have a lot of grading to do. There's no way they can grade all the assignments at once. If you follow the two steps mentioned earlier, your teacher will appreciate your effort and will be more lenient in grading. You can identify if an assignment is just extra work that won't impact your grade if: it's written on paper, or you notice your teacher quickly grading similar essays in under a minute before giving them a score.

Having good organizational skills and managing time efficiently are key. Organize tasks in your mind and on your calendar. Never be late with assignments as it can negatively affect your grades. Don't let your grades drop simply because you missed a deadline.

• Handle extra assignments efficiently. Spend only as much time on them as the teacher would spend grading them! If the assignment includes a reading, the answers are often found within the reading itself. Skim through the reading and look for the answers. Just write something that seems decent. Many students are skilled at handling extra assignments, but others may need some practice. Once you understand the process, you can save a lot of time.

Improving your handwriting is an optional but highly effective step in reducing your workload. Try to write quickly, but legibly. Teachers don’t grade your handwriting, and focusing on making it perfect will take up unnecessary time, especially for less important assignments.

• When practicing your handwriting, choose a style that’s easy to read and quick to write. Consider using a pen that helps you write faster without too much effort – a 0.7mm pen is ideal. You might want to try pens like Sarasa Clip 0.7 or Pilot Juice 0.7, but Pilot V5 Hi-Tecpoint (0.5) or Faber-Castell CX Plus 0.5 pens work well too since their low friction nibs allow you to speed up your writing (Sarasa Clip 0.7 is particularly suitable for this purpose, although the low friction might require some getting used to).

Consider taking challenging classes if you can. It might sound strange to aim for high grades without too much effort, but mastering difficult subjects will make succeeding in easier subjects much easier.

• Hard subjects will be beneficial when applying to college, and after some time, you’ll start enjoying the challenges they bring. Remember, this strategy works in all subjects, including the difficult ones.

Pay attention in class. You might be tempted to text or nap, especially when the teacher is speaking, but it's important not to do that. This provides two benefits: first, you won’t need to spend time learning basic concepts later, and second, you’ll perform better on exams because you’re familiar with the material the teacher covers. Staying focused is crucial.

Taking notes effectively. When you take notes, think about the topic your teacher is explaining and write the notes using your own words. If possible, try to use a fun method to remember them, known as mnemonic techniques.

Complete your homework assignments. Homework is one of the easiest ways to earn extra points throughout the year. This doesn't mean you need to spend hours every evening; instead, try to make the most of any free time, especially as the class is coming to an end.

• Tackle each task individually. Start with the ones that are quickest, like worksheets, then move on to the ones that are broken into smaller parts, like math problems. This way, you can finish assignments during the last moments of class without wasting time searching for the one you're working on.
• Eliminate distractions. When you have to complete an assignment you don't enjoy, remove anything that could interfere with your focus. Turn off the TV. Put your phone away. Log out of social media. Lock yourself in your room.

Prioritize tasks based on grading difficulty. Complete the assignments that are graded more strictly first and aim for high-quality work to build trust with your teacher. Then, move on to tasks that your teacher won't scrutinize as much, and don't stress about the quality; just ensure that your work aligns with the topic and is detailed. If time is running out, quickly wrap up any less significant tasks. Your teacher will appreciate your effort and respect your work, especially when aiming for the easiest way to get top marks, which is making your teacher happy.

Know how to write an essay. Break down the necessary steps to complete your assignment. Research the topic. Create an outline for your essay. Write and revise it.

• Don't overthink the subject of your essay—just start writing. To save time, handle preparation steps after you’ve written the draft. If your essay is long enough, there’s a chance the teacher will only read half of it, so you have two options: write a short but excellent essay or a long one with more errors. With practice, you'll realize how easy and fast it is to write a good essay in half the time you once spent rewriting it.
• Use a dictionary to avoid redundant words and adjust sentence structure.

Avoid procrastinating on exam preparations until you've completed your homework. Regardless of how stressful the exam may seem, you should consider the distinction between studying for an exam and doing your homework.

• Do your homework to review for the exam. Typically, the key issues needed for the exam will be covered in the homework.
• When your teacher assigns homework, they will also inform you of certain bonus points associated with it. Completing the tasks earns you points, but if you don't, you lose them. Teachers won't grant you extra points just to study for an exam. Even if the exam is difficult, no matter how much you study, you may still end up with a low grade. That's why it's crucial to earn those bonus points through homework.

Study at a steady pace. Avoid cramming! Your brain will retain information better if you study gradually. Cramming may give you short-term results, but if you want to remember knowledge throughout the semester, it's best to study over a longer period of time.

Never cheat. The risks far outweigh any potential rewards.

Relax before the exam. Take a nap, exercise, listen to music, etc. Keep yourself calm. The last thing you want is to panic just before the exam. You won't be able to focus. Even if you can't review your notes, if you pay attention in class, you may still do well. If you're overly stressed, you'll forget everything and end up with a poor grade.

Chew mint gum during the test. Numerous studies have shown that mint helps improve memory and recall.

Find ways to motivate yourself. Allow yourself to enjoy a fun activity after completing assigned tasks, acing a test, or writing an excellent essay. Motivation will help you stay focused.

Have a healthy breakfast. If you're not hungry when class begins, you'll be able to focus better in class and at work.

Get enough sleep. Staying up late to watch TV, play games, or chat on the phone may be tempting. However, lack of sleep will severely affect your ability to succeed.

Take practical steps to avoid missing school. This can include:

• Annual health check-ups.
• Getting the flu vaccination.
• Having backup plans for getting to school if you miss the bus or face similar issues.