10 Study Tips Toppers Use To Top Every Exam
10 Study Tips Toppers Use To Top Every Exam (That Most Students Fail To Use)
Have you ever looked at a topper in your class and wondered, “How do they manage to score so high every single time?” It almost feels like they’re born brilliant, right? But that is not the truth. Most toppers aren’t naturally gifted - they’ve simply mastered techniques that make their study sessions more effective than the average student. And once you understand how they study, you’ll realize it’s not talent, or luck. It’s strategy - simple, repeatable strategies that anyone can adopt.
In this article, you’re about to discover 10 secret study habits toppers actually use, habits that genuinely help them learn faster, remember longer, and score higher with less stress. If you apply even a few of these consistently, you’ll see a massive transformation in the way you study and the results you achieve.
1. Focus on Understanding, Not Blind Memorizing
The biggest difference between average students and toppers is this: average students try to finish the syllabus; toppers try to understand the syllabus. Toppers know that when you truly understand a concept, it sticks in your mind effortlessly and stays there for months, sometimes years.
So after reading any topic, take a moment to explain it to yourself in simple language, as if teaching a junior. If you struggle to explain it, that means you haven’t mastered it yet. This simple habit instantly highlights your weak areas and improves clarity. You can test yourself by writing too.
2. The 40-10 Rule
Most students believe studying for long hours makes them productive. But toppers know the brain doesn’t work like that. Studying for 3-4 hours straight only results in fatigue, boredom, and poor memory retention. Instead, toppers often follow the 40-10 rule: study for 40 minutes with full concentration, then take a 10-minute break to recharge. This cycle helps maintain high focus, prevents burnout, and boosts overall learning efficiency.
Breaks are not a waste of time - they’re part of the learning process. When used correctly, they can double your productivity.
3. They Create Micro Notes
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| Image Credit - Espen Klem |
Most students write pages and pages of notes, spending hours trying to copy what’s already written in textbooks. Toppers don’t do that. They make micro notes - short, crisp summaries that highlight only the most important information from each chapter. These quick notes usually include formulas, definitions, keywords, diagrams, and short bullet points.
Micro notes are powerful because they save time during revision. Instead of flipping through entire chapters, you can revise a whole topic in a single glance. Flashcards also work amazingly well because they force your brain to recall information actively.
4. They Practice Previous Year Question Papers
While many students avoid solving previous year papers because they feel “unprepared,” toppers do the opposite. They know that PYQs are the closest thing to the real exam. These papers give a very clear idea of what types of questions the examiners prefer, which topics matter the most, and how tough the paper will actually be.
Even solving just 3-5 years of PYQs can dramatically boost your confidence and accuracy. You start noticing patterns, common question formats, and important chapters. It will definitely give you an edge over others.
5. They Study Tough Subjects When Their Mind Is Fresh
Every student has moments in the day when their mind is sharper and more active. For most people, this peak focus time is in the morning, (maybe yours at the night) when the brain is well-rested and alert. Toppers use this time wisely by studying the subjects they find most difficult. The brain can absorb challenging concepts much faster when it's not processing anything already.
On the other hand, easier or revision based subjects can be pushed to the evening when mental energy naturally dips. Knowing how your energy levels fluctuate can make a huge difference in how well you understand and remember information.
6. They Highlight Smartly
A common mistake students make is highlighting 70% of the page. When everything is highlighted, nothing stands out. Toppers use highlighters strategically. They mark only key terms, important formulas, dates, tricky points, and core ideas. This makes their books look cleaner and helps the brain focus on what actually matters.
Highlighting is meant to guide your eyes to the most crucial parts, not decorate your textbook like a rainbow.
7. Toppers Test Themselves
Reading a chapter makes you familiar with the topic, but testing yourself makes you remember it. Toppers use self-testing techniques daily - even if it’s just 10-15 minutes. They solve Mocks, MCQs, write short answers from memory, explain topics without looking, or set a timer and quiz themselves.
This method is backed by science: active recall is the strongest form of learning. When your brain tries to retrieve information, the memory becomes stronger and harder to forget.
8. They Avoid Studying on the Bed
Your environment affects your concentration. When you study on your bed, your brain associates it with relaxation, not productivity. That’s why you start feeling sleepy or distracted after a few minutes. Toppers usually study at a table and chair, keeping their posture straight and their mind alert. This small change makes a huge difference in focus and efficiency.
Your study place should signal your brain: It’s time to work.
9. They Keep Their Phone Away While Studying
Even if you don’t touch your phone, just seeing it can distract your mind. Notifications, vibrations, or even curiosity about social media updates can break your concentration. Toppers avoid this completely by keeping their phone in another room or placing it on silent mode far from their study table. If you struggle with phone addiction, just tell your parents to keep your phone until you finish studying.
Reducing digital distractions is one of the easiest ways to double your productivity.
10. They Revise More Often
One secret toppers understand deeply is that revision is key. Reading a chapter once isn’t enough - the brain forgets up to 70% of new information within a week if not revised. That’s why toppers follow a simple but powerful pattern:
- Revise the same day
- Revise after one week
- Revise once more before the exam
This 3-step revision cycle ensures the information moves from short-term memory to long-term memory, making it almost impossible to forget during the exam.
Final Words
Toppers aren’t born with talent they have developed it. They’re just consistent and strategic. They know how to use their time and energy wisely. If you start applying even 3-4 of the techniques mentioned above, you’ll notice a visible improvement in your concentration, speed of learning, and exam performance. If you are here reading this then I guess it's time to apply these techniques and actually do something important and get really good scores.
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