academics
Running Out of Time for Boards, This Class 12 Student Tried a Japanese Memory Trick — And It Worked
Published: 31/12/25
Updated: 31/12/25
The board exams were just days away. Rudransh Mishra, a Class 12 student, had finished most of his syllabus and had been revising hard. He had studied hard all year, but in the last few days before exams, panic set in. Despite revising pages and pages of notes, he found himself forgetting key points during practice tests. He was scared of getting blank in exams.
Rudransh was not alone, many students feel this pressure. The fear of forgetting something crucial, especially when time is running out, can be overwhelming. He needed a solution, and fast.
Rudransh had tried all the usual methods like reading and rereading notes, highlighting important lines, and solving past papers. But something wasn’t clicking. His brain was under stress.
While scrolling through the internet, Rudransh came across a Japanese technique called Pointing and Calling.
What Is the Pointing and Calling Technique
The Pointing and Calling technique is a Japanese method originally used in workplaces like railway systems to reduce mistakes. It works by combining movement with speech like a person points at something they need to focus on and says out loud what they are doing or seeing. This simple action engages both the mind and body, making people more alert and improving attention. When applied to studying, it helps students remember information better because they are actively seeing, saying, and thinking at the same time
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The Japanese Trick That Worked
At first, Rudransh thought it was too simple to work.
Rudransh wondered: Could this really help in studying for board exams? With no better option and time running short, he decided to try it.
How Rudransh Applied the Technique
Rudransh adapted the method for his own revision. Here’s what he started doing:
- Point at the line or formula he wanted to learn.
- Read it aloud clearly, without mumbling.
- Repeat it with focus and then try to recall it without looking.
At first, it felt awkward. His parents and siblings gave him funny looks when he started reading aloud and pointing at his books, but Rudransh didn’t care. He had a goal which was remembering everything efficiently before exams.
Soon, Rudransh noticed changes. Instead of reading passively, his brain was actively engaged. Words, formulas, and dates began to stick. Concepts that previously seemed confusing now felt easier to recall.
- In History, he could remember events and dates more easily.
- In Science, formulas and definitions came to mind faster.
- Even in Math, he avoided careless mistakes by saying numbers and steps out loud before solving problems.
This simple technique helped him focus and reduce anxiety.
Why This Trick Works
The secret behind Pointing and Calling is that it activates multiple senses at once. Rudransh was not only reading - he was seeing, speaking, moving, and thinking simultaneously. This made his brain more alert and increased retention. Studies have shown that active engagement helps memory far better than passive reading, especially when stress levels are high.
By the time Rudransh’s exams arrived, he had developed a new sense of confidence. Instead of panicking the night before, he spent time revising in a structured and interactive way.
He realized that small changes in study habits can make a huge difference, even in the last few days.
Who would have thought that a technique used in Japanese railways to prevent accidents could also help students ace their board exams? The world of learning is full of unexpected tricks, and sometimes the simplest methods can have the biggest impact.
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