HOW TO HANDLE THEORY SUBJECTS

CA CS CIMA Prakash Somani (Landmark Group) (23502 Points)

18 March 2008

HOW TO HANDLE THEORY SUBJECTS

1. Number of Theory Papers:

	The basic classification of examinations questions is
	(a) Theory and (b) Application of theory.
	Each subject involves study of theory concepts. Also, some theory questions are compulsory in all papers. Hence, due importance must be given to the study of theory topics in all subjects.

2. Approach for Theory Subjects:

The following procedure may be adopted for theory subjects / topics.

	a) Refer to the topic in the Study Material and read through the topic thoroughly.
	b) Note down the important points provided in the Study Material.
	c) Refer and read through the corresponding topic in the Reference Book.
	d) Read the Bare Act for law subjects.
	e) Note down additional points, if any, covered in the Reference Book and/or Bare Act.
	f) Compile your final notes consolidating the various points covered in the Study Materials and Reference Book/Bare Act, and additional points, if any, notcovered in any of these.
	g) Revise the same topic by browsing through your final notes a day later, a week later and a fortnight later.
	This will ensure two aspects:
	(i) Continuity of concept when you take up the next topic in the same subject and
	(ii) revision of the earlier topic.
	h) Update your notes by reading through Suggested Answers and Revision Test Papers.There might be additional points in them, not covered by the Study Materials.

3. The Reading-Remembering relationship:

It is commonly remarked by a large number of students that they are able to read, but not remember any of the points that they have read. In fact, they remark that every time they read the Study Materials, it is like reading for the very first time.

This difficulty in remembering can be overcome by improving one's memory skills. There are three aspects of memory that one needs to improve:

		Audial Memory: "What we hear is what we remember; the morehe hear, the more we remember". Memory can be improved by listening to lectures, classes or by hearing one's own voice reciting a formula or theorem. Itmay be recalled that at a very young age, one remembered the poem "Baa Baa Black Sheep" only through hearing, not by referring any textbook!
		Visual Memory: "What we see is what we remember; the more we see, the more we remember". The second aspect of improving memory is through theeyes. Constant and repeated reading of the study materials, use of flow- charts, diagrams and graphs etc. are recommended in this connection.
		Motor Memory: "What we write is what we remember; the more we write, the more we remember". The third aspect of improvingmemory is by writing practice. Underlining the important points in the study materials will not be sufficient. Taking notes and regular writing practice is a must.

In case the student is not able to remember the points during subsequent revision, inspite of the above aspects, his concentration skills during reading must be improved. "How much time one spends" is less important than how one spends that time

Inspite of concentrated study, if there are still problems in remembering, do not lose heart, try again. Please remind yourself that repeated revision is more worthwhile than repeated appearance in examinations.