How to Make Effective Notes for BHMS Exams – A Practical Guide for Scoring High
Introduction
Many BHMS students spend long hours studying but still struggle during exams. The main reason is poor note-making. Reading textbooks again and again without converting information into structured notes leads to confusion, panic, and poor recall.
Effective notes act as a bridge between textbooks and exam answers. This article explains how to make smart, exam-oriented notes for BHMS subjects that help in revision, answer writing, and viva preparation.
1. Why Note-Making Is Critical in BHMS
BHMS syllabus is vast and concept-heavy. Subjects like Pathology, Organon, Materia Medica, and Microbiology cannot be revised directly from textbooks before exams.
Good notes help to:
Improve answer structure in exams
Save time during preparation
Fact:
Students who prepare their own notes revise faster and score better.
2. Difference Between Reading Notes and Making Notes
Many students download notes or copy from seniors. This is a mistake.
Reading notes
Passive
Less memory retention
No personal understanding
Making notes
Better recall
Better understanding
Exam-oriented thinking
Rule:
Always make your own notes, even if you refer to books or online material.
3. Ideal Format for BHMS Notes
Your notes must match exam answer format, not textbook format.
Best structure
Classification
Explanation / mechanism
Diagram (if applicable)
Key points / keywords
Avoid writing paragraphs. Use:
Bullet points
Tables
Flowcharts
4. Subject-Wise Note-Making Strategy
A. Pathology
Focus on:
Definitions
Example topics:
👉 Notes should be diagram-friendly.
B. Organon of Medicine
Organon notes should be:
Conceptual
Simple language
Include:
Avoid copying philosophical language blindly.
C. Materia Medica
Never write long stories.
Use fixed headings:
Constitution
Mind
Physical generals
Modalities
Keynotes
One remedy = 2–3 pages maximum.
D. Practicals
Notes must include:
Aim
Principle
Procedure
Precautions
Normal values
These notes help in both practical exams and viva.
5. How to Convert Textbook Content into Notes
This is the most important skill.
Step 1: Read the topic once
Do not write anything in first reading.
Step 2: Identify exam-important areas
Look for:
Headings
Classifications
Step 3: Rewrite in your own words
Simplify language.
Remove unnecessary explanations.
Step 4: Compress
Reduce 5 textbook pages into 1–1.5 pages of notes.
6. Use Diagrams and Flowcharts
Diagrams are not optional in BHMS.
Always draw:
Even rough diagrams improve memory and exam marks.
7. Digital Notes vs Handwritten Notes
Both are useful if used correctly.
Handwritten notes
✔ Better memory
✔ Good for diagrams
✔ Ideal for first revision
Digital notes
✔ Easy editing
✔ Easy storage
✔ Quick revision
Best approach:
Handwritten notes first → digital summary later.
8. Common Mistakes in Note-Making
Avoid these mistakes strictly:
❌ Writing full textbook sentences
❌ Copy-paste notes from internet
❌ Making notes without understanding
❌ Writing too much detail
❌ Ignoring diagrams
❌ Mixing multiple topics on one page
These mistakes waste time and reduce exam performance.
9. How to Revise Using Notes
Notes are useful only if revised properly.
Best revision method
Revise within 24 hours
Revise after 7 days
Revise before exams
Use:
Highlighting
Short keywords
Sticky notes for last-minute points
10. Last-Month Notes Strategy Before Exams
One month before exams:
Stop reading textbooks
Revise only your notes
Practice writing answers from notes
Revise diagrams daily
Solve previous question papers
This approach reduces stress and improves confidence.
Conclusion
Effective note-making is a skill, not a talent. For BHMS students, notes must be exam-oriented, structured, concise, and revisable. When notes are prepared correctly, they reduce study time, improve answer quality, and increase exam scores.
Instead of studying more, study smarter by making better notes.
