Note-taking skill - To excel in Examinations

 

Note-Taking skill - Importance in Examinations

✍️ “One-time writing is equal to ten times reading.” — I applied this powerful strategy during my preparation for the Appendix 3 Examination to become Senior Section Officer in Indian Railways — and soared to success as the All India Topper (1st Rank).

🧠 Handwriting is, in fact, mind-writing. Your hand merely executes what your mind processes. Note-taking is not a mechanical act — it is an intellectual process that reinforces understanding, retention, and recall.

💡 Based on expert inputs from research and study techniques, here are the key benefits and importance of effective note-taking:

---

🔑 Benefits of Note-Taking (Research-Based Insights)

• ✅ Enhances Memory Retention
  Writing notes helps encode information into long-term memory better than passive reading.
  
  

• ✅ Active Learning Tool
  Note-taking forces you to process, filter, and reframe information in your own words — boosting comprehension.
  
  

• ✅ Boosts Concentration
  It keeps your mind engaged during study sessions or lectures, avoiding mental drift.
  
  

• ✅ Improves Recall During Exams
  Organized notes serve as powerful revision tools for quick recall of key concepts and facts.
  
  

• ✅ Promotes Better Understanding
  While writing, you’re more likely to spot gaps in knowledge and clarify difficult topics.
  
  

• ✅ Develops Critical Thinking
  Condensing complex material into brief notes requires you to analyze and synthesize information.
  
  

• ✅ Time-Saving Revision
  Well-structured notes help in faster and focused revision, especially before exams.
  
  

• ✅ Supports Visual Memory
  Charts, bullet points, and diagrams in notes stimulate visual memory, aiding quicker recall.
  
  

• ✅ Encourages Self-Discipline and Organization
  Maintaining notes cultivates consistent study habits and a more organized thought process.
  
  

• ✅ Personalized Learning Resource
  Your notes reflect your understanding, which is far more relatable than borrowed or printed material.
  

  ---

💭 Final Thought:

Your hand may hold the pen, but it is your mind that writes. Let your notes reflect your thought clarity. If you want to top any competitive exam, cultivate the habit of note-taking from day one — like I did.

✒️ Write it once, revise it often, and success will follow.

Warm wishes,

Nageswara Rao
📞 9492432160

CBT 70% Examination Calendar for 2023-24

Source: Click for Railway Board Letter

 CBT - LDCE Time Table 

Step / Action	Date
LDCE - 30%  Examination Date	20th November, 2022
Result Preparation	30th November, 2022
Declaration of Results by NAIR	1st December, 2022
Finalization of Panel by Zonal Railways	15th December 2022

CBT 70% Examination Time Table 2023 - 24

For Departments not participating in CBT LDCE on 20th November, 2022

Step / Action	Date
Issuing of Modified / Unified Syllabus	31st October, 2022
Notification (Where LDCE through CBT is not going to be conducted)	10th November, 2022
Finalization of Pre Promotional Training (PPT)   (PPT for Reserved Candidates - Through Offline / Online - 60 hours / 15 working days)	31st December, 2022
Main Examination	22nd January, 2023
Supplementary Examination	29th January, 2023
Result by NAIR	10th February, 2023
Finalization of Panels by Zonal Railways	25th February, 2023

For Departments participating in CBT LDCE on 20th November, 2022

Step / Action	Date
Issuing of Modified / Unified Syllabus	31st October, 2022
Notification (Where LDCE through CBT is to be conducted)	19th November, 2022
Finalization of Pre Promotional Training (PPT)   (PPT for Reserved Candidates - Through Offline / Online - 60 hours / 15 working days)	20th January, 22023
Main Examination	22nd January, 2023
Supplementary Examination	29th January, 2023
Result by NAIR	10th February, 2023
Finalization of Panels by Zonal Railways	25th February, 2023

FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions - Appendix 3 examination

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions about Appendix 3 IREM examination

1.      Why Qualifying examination for promotion to the rank of section officer (a/cs), inspectors of station accounts and inspectors of stores accounts is called as “Appendix 3 IREM “ examination ?

Ans: Details of the said examination is available in “Appendix 3 of IREM – Indian Railways Establishment Manual “ (Available at the end of article).     The examinations of Accounts Dept are as follows.

Appendix 1 of IREM	IRAS probationary officers
Appendix 2 of IREM	Qualifying examination for promotion above accounts clerks of the   accounts department up   to and   including the rank of accounts assistants
Appendix 3 of IREM	Qualifying examination for promotion to the rank of section officer (a/cs), inspectors of station accounts and inspectors of stores accounts
Appendix 4  of IREM	Promotion to and  confirmation the rank of stock verifiers

2.      At what intervals, the examination is conducted?

Ans:   Every year  

3.      What is the eligibiligy for appearing the Examination ?

              Ans:  He or she should have passed the Appendix 2 examination and completed 5 years continuous service in a Railway Accounts office or completed 3 years continuous service in a Railway Accounts office, if he/she is a graduate.

4.      How many chances is a candidate permitted to avail ?

Ans: Normally 3 chances. However 10 chances may be permitted subject to the permission granted by the following officers.

Chances	Permission granted by
1 to 3	Normal
4 to 5	FA& CAO
6	General Manager
7 to 10	Railway Board

5.      Is absence from the examination counted as a chance availed ?

           Ans: Yes. Absence from the examination shall be counted as a chance/attempt for this purpose.

6.      What are the passing marks for the examination ?

Ans:

Paper	General category	SC/ST category
Advanced Book keeping	40 %	30%
General Rules & Procedures	40%	30%
Optional Paper  with Books	40%	30%
Optional Paper without books	40%	30%

Note: 45% for general category and 35% for SC/ST category in aggregate in both papers of Optional subject

7.      What is the combination of Optional subjects in the examination ?

Ans:   OPTIONAL SUBJECTS - APPENDIX-3 (IREM) Examination

                       for SO(A) group  - Eight choices

First Optional	Second Optional
General Expenditure	Books & Budget
General Expenditure	Stores Accounts
General Expenditure	Workshop Accounts
General Expenditure	Establishment & PF Accounts
Books & Budget	Stores Accounts
Books & Budget	Workshop Accounts
Books & Budget	Establishment & PF Accounts
Traffic Accounts	Traffic Statistics & Traffic Book

Note: General Expenditure and Books & Budget is popular choice among candidates.  But the final selection depends on the candidates exposure in the working /interest /advice of seniors etc.

             for TIA group  - No choice

First Optional	Second Optional
Station Accounts	Traffic Accounts

  

            for ISA group  - No choice

First Optional	Second Optional
Stores Accounts	General Procedures  followed in office of COS

8.    What is the eligibility criteria (marks) for claiming exemption ?

Ans:  60% . A candidate who fails in the examination but shows marked excellence in any subject by obtaining not less than 60 per cent of the maximum marks of that subject will be exempted from further examination in that subject in subsequent examinations. 

Examples are

1.  Optional paper with books - 65 marks (i.e., above 60 marks)           } Candidate declared is

     Optional paper without books - 62 marks (i.e., above 60 marks)     } exempted in that subject

2.  Optional paper with books - 65 marks (i.e., above 60 marks)           } Not exempted 

     Optional paper without books - 58 marks (i.e., below 60 marks)     }

        9.  Click the links below for details.

Appendix3 exam details - IREM

Single Examination pattern

10. Railway Codes Suggested for Optional Subjects.

ü  Frequently asked question is “WHICH CODES ARE REFER FOR WHICH OPTIONAL”

ü  Here is the answer.  

ü  Related Manuals, GCC- General Conditions of Contract  and Finance Compendium (for General Expenditure)  also helpful for attempting optional papers.

Railway Codes and Manuals link  

Optional	Railway Code	Railway Code	Railway Code
Books & Budget	Accounts Code Volume One	Finance Code Volume One	Finance Code Volume Two
General Expenditure	Accounts Code Volume One	Finance Code Volume One	Engineering Code
Stores Accounts	Stores Code Volume One	Stores Code Volume Two
COS office – General procedures	Stores Code Volume One	Stores Code Volume Two
Workshop Accounts	Rolling Stock Code
Traffic Accounts	Accounts Code Volume Two	Traffic Code
Station Accounts	Accounts Code Volume Two	Traffic Code
Traffic Statistics & Traffic Book	Accounts Code Volume Two	Traffic Code
Establishment & PF Accounts	Establishment Code Volume One	Establishment Code Volume Two