The night before an exam, your goal is not to learn everything new, it is to revise what you already know and stay calm. Focus on quick revision of key formulas, definitions and high-weightage topics rather than starting fresh chapters that will only confuse you.
Start by making a short list of the most important topics likely to appear. Go through your own notes, summaries and previously marked questions, not the entire textbook. Active recall works best: cover your notes and try to explain a concept in your own words, then check. This is far more effective than passively reading the same page again and again.
Take short breaks. Studying in 40 to 45 minute blocks with 5 to 10 minute breaks keeps your brain fresh. Avoid cramming continuously for hours, because tired brains do not store information well.
Example: A Class 10 student in Delhi with boards the next morning should spend the night revising formula sheets and solved examples, doing one or two sample questions per chapter, rather than reading new chapters at midnight. By morning, what they already studied stays sharp.
Most importantly, sleep. Pulling an all-nighter feels productive but badly hurts memory and focus during the actual exam. Aim for at least 6 hours of sleep so your brain can consolidate what you revised.
One practical tip: Prepare everything for the next morning, admit card, pen, water and clothes, before you sleep. Walking in calm and organised matters more than one extra hour of panicked reading.