Lucknow: Do not panic if your son or daughter is shouting out loud while studying for board exams. With examinations approaching, students across the city are facing a familiar problem: the syllabus is complete, revision is on track, yet answers seem to vanish in the exam hall. To overcome this challenge, a growing number of class 10 and 12 students are turning to an unusual Japanese study technique known as ‘Pointing and Calling’.The method requires learners to point at the text and read it aloud. Students say this simple practice keeps the brain alert and prevents passive reading.Sharing his experience, class 10 student Atharva Jaiswal said, “During silent study, I felt confident, but in the exam hall my mind would suddenly go blank. When I started pointing at the text and saying it aloud, my concentration improved. It feels like my brain is actively registering every word, and recalling answers during tests has become much easier.”The technique has proved especially useful in theory heavy subjects.Class 12 student Avitanshi Tiwari said, “In history and civics, remembering dates and events in order was always difficult. Now, when I speak the headings and key points aloud, the answers automatically come in sequence while writing, which saves time and reduces stress.”The impact is also visible in maths and science.Class 10 student Anshika Singh said, “Earlier, I rushed through numericals and made careless mistakes. Saying the given values and formulas aloud slows me down and makes me more careful. I feel more confident about each step before moving ahead.”Educationists believe the method is scientifically sound.“It activates multiple areas of the brain at the same time. When students use speech, vision and movement together, learning becomes deeper and more stable. It not only improves recall but also helps reduce exam anxiety,” said educationist RP Singh.“Board examinations test not just knowledge, but the ability to recall information under pressure. Techniques like ‘Pointing and Calling’ train the mind to stay present and organised. By consciously acknowledging what they study, students build stronger memory links,” said Shalini Nigam, a teacher.
