IITs, the most prestigious colleges in India, are famous throughout the world for churning out the best technocrats. JEE, conducted for undergraduate entrance in IITs, is consequently oriented towards testing the concepts and technology acumen.
However, in our previous article, we understood how tough and close the competition can get for admission into IITs. The article focused on the need to strategise your test attempting strategy.
In this second article based on the webinar ‘Unlock more marks – Go online’, we explain the right kind of preparation strategy.
The need for Examination
Examination, as a process, has been highly criticised by many eminent educationists and reformists. However, the fact remains that it is the only means of gauging the effectiveness of knowledge transferred. Thus, examination needs to succeed and authenticate the learning process.
However, all the major examinations require a large and diverse set of concepts to be studied at the same time. What makes the examinations like JEE tough is the fact that three subjects, each having multiple concepts are tested based on understanding, memorization, and numerical ability.
Board Exams vs Competitive exams
Now the main points of difference between the boards and the competitive exams is that board exams are more predictable while competitive exams are not. While the board exams have a fixed syllabus and the disposition of questions from each chapter is fixed, competitive exams are very unpredictable and may not have even a single question
Right Preparation strategy
Now, right examination preparation strategy implies solid concepts as well as exam readiness.
For strengthening concepts, tests need to be a continual part of education. For longer retention of concepts, minor tests at the end of each sub-part of the chapter and then at the end of the chapter are very important.
For exam readiness, rigorous testing simulated to the examination pattern is important. These include model tests, sample papers or mock exercises.
A right preparation strategy needs to be an optimum mixture of the above facets of test preparation to ensure the best of performance.
Where are marks lost?
A thorough analysis of all the scenarios where one loses marks yields a few reasons for losing marks:
- Careless mistakes/complacency: These mistakes are a result of over-confidence or tendency to skip steps.
- Inadequate conceptual knowledge: For avoiding losing out marks in this manner, a test taker needs to be well aware of his strengths and weaknesses.
- Lack of speed, exam practice and temperament: Exam readiness needs to be honed through timed rehearsals and practice. Maintaining concentration and stamina for a long time is very important and not having the same leads to mistakes and loss of marks.
In the succeeding blogs, we will elaborate more on ‘how to do self-analysis’.
Keep following myPAT blogs for more updates and developing a better understanding.
