Class 12 Student Uses Japanese Memory Technique to Improve Recall Before Board Exams

As board exams draw closer, many Class 12 students across India find themselves in a familiar situation. The syllabus is nearly complete, mock tests are underway, yet answers seem to vanish under pressure. Despite hours of revision, memory lapses, silly mistakes, and exam anxiety continue to haunt even well-prepared students.

Rudransh Chaturvedi, a Class 12 student, was facing the same struggle. His preparation was disciplined, but during tests, recall failed him at crucial moments. Searching for a better revision strategy, he stumbled upon an unusual Japanese technique called Pointing and Calling—a method originally designed to reduce human error in Japan’s railway system.

With board exams approaching fast, Rudransh decided to experiment. What began as a last-minute adjustment soon transformed the way he studied.

A Study Method That Keeps the Brain Actively Engaged

Unlike silent reading, Pointing and Calling requires students to physically point at the text and read it aloud. This simple act forces the brain to acknowledge information consciously instead of passively skimming through pages.

For Rudransh, this shift was immediate. Studying no longer felt mechanical. Each sentence demanded focus. Each point had to be seen, spoken, and mentally confirmed—mirroring the precision required in an exam hall.

What Is the Japanese “Pointing and Calling” Technique?

The method is deceptively simple:

• Point at the line or concept

• Say it aloud clearly

• Move to the next point

Japanese railway workers use this approach to prevent errors in high-risk environments. By engaging sight, speech, and movement together, the brain processes information more deeply.

When applied to academics, the technique strengthens memory pathways and improves recall under stress.

How It Changed His Revision Strategy

Instead of rereading chapters multiple times, Rudransh began focusing on key headings, dates, formulas, and definitions. He would point at them, read them aloud once, then close the book and try to recall.

This reduced revision time significantly. In subjects like History and Political Science, speaking answers aloud helped him remember sequences and structure—making it easier to write organised answers during exams.

Fewer Careless Errors in Maths and Science

The biggest impact was visible in numerical subjects. Before solving problems, Rudransh started reading the given values and formulas aloud.

This small pause slowed his pace just enough to prevent common mistakes such as skipping steps, misreading questions, or applying the wrong formula. Accuracy improved, and confidence followed.

A Calmer Approach Before Exams

Earlier, nights before exams meant panic-filled revision sessions. Now, revision looked different—short notes on the wall, slow movement, pointing, and reading key facts aloud just once.

The technique activated memory without exhausting it, helping Rudransh stay calm and focused instead of overwhelmed.

Why This Technique Works for Board Students

Silent studying depends heavily on reading alone. Pointing and Calling engages multiple senses simultaneously—visual, auditory, and physical—making information easier to retrieve under pressure.

For board exams, where stress often disrupts recall, this multisensory engagement can be a game-changer.

The Difference Inside the Exam Hall

Rudransh does not claim miracles. But he noticed fewer blank moments, clearer recall, and smoother answer flow. Concepts returned step by step, not in fragments.

For a board student, that difference can define performance.

A Simple Takeaway for Students

The technique may feel awkward initially. But exams reward clarity and recall—not how “normal” your study style looks.

Sometimes, all it takes is pointing, speaking, and paying attention.