Management students at GIBS need super entrance examination performances

Shall we say that a minimum of a month or 50 days would be required for a thorough preparation for an entrance examination? Many would not agree and say that several months of coaching would be required. Yet, it is generally known that a majority of students at all levels of study takes short cuts and study only at the eleventh hour. In other words, they do little during the semester and burn midnight oil when the examination date approaches. That may not be the right solution, but that is the system universally practiced.

While 2017 is gradually winding down and would end with the grand Christmas and New Year festivities, it is the time of the year for several entrance examinations that are instrumental in deciding student careers. Higher education, like graduation and post-graduation are compulsory if you wish to reach anywhere in life. Once you succeed in qualifying in entrance examinations and enroll in a renowned institution, we can assume that a lifetime career is made. The college course builds a foundation for professional work later in life. Entrance examinations are getting very competitive and are attempted by lakhs of students across the country.  

Thorough dedicated preparation, perhaps with some experienced teachers at an excellent tutorial would be effective in increasing chances of exam success.

CAT takes place in November and MAT in December. If you wish to write CMAT and XAT, wait until January and ATMA takes place in February. Those who will write CAT and MAT should be more than half-way through the preparation since the dates are fast approaching.

Take good care of health and nourishment

Always remember that health and regular hours of eating and sleeping should be observed. Nourishment and exercise in an active lifestyle are very important. Instead of being lost in books, many hours each day, find time for a brisk walk or run on a daily basis. Exposure to the media helps to remain updated and reading newspapers regularly will help with language and expression too. Identify a quiet room or corner arranged with your study materials where you work regularly every day according to certain timings. Early mornings are good for study, but late nights are not so effective with a tired body and mind.

Mental preparation is so very important too, besides remaining physically fit. A consistent preparation over several weeks and perhaps months would put you in the right frame of mind for attempting several entrance examinations.

Do’s and don’ts for exam preparation

Reduce the study materials. It is a mistake to think that several books and dozens of question papers would bring greater knowledge. The problem is that all the excess material creates confusion. A few well-chosen books from renowned authors and publishers should be sufficient since the textbooks and guides contain similar points. The only strategy that really works is ample practice and more practice.

Prepare a time table as a strategy for study with time allotted carefully to the different study areas. Knowing which are your strong subjects and weak areas would help to decide upon the distribution of time. Such a plan will not be needed for the November and December examinations with little time left. Yet, the time table will help even with less time when you can squeeze whatever little time is available.

Many students base the exam preparation upon question papers and that is the right approach. Some examinations make changes each year, though the same basic pattern would be followed. While solving previous question papers, attention to the time factor is important. If it is a three-hour examination, try to complete the practice work during a similar time frame.

Multiple choice and negative marking

Most questions nowadays offer multiple choices in an objective pattern. We got used to that in the television quiz programs. Looking at the choices often provides clues regarding the right answer. The process of elimination should be used to get rid of answers that are certainly not correct. In this way, the choices are narrowed down with better chances to get the right answer.

Since negative marking may be used, incorrect answers may not mean only a zero but a minus one mark. Be on guard in the hurry and avoid writing wrong answers as far as possible. Taking wild chances with answers may mean the loss of precious marks.

Plan the time such that some time is left for revision at the end of the exam. Avoid spending the entire duration on answers since revision is important too.

Avoid haste and hurry in the examination hall. Read the questions carefully first with enough time for understanding. While speed is important because of the time factor, accuracy should be aimed for.

It is an exercise in problem solving and you need to take smart approaches, avoiding lengthy procedures. Use instinct and intuition to solve questions that you did not find in the books and previous papers. Common sense would also apply to some questions rather than complex thoughts.

Make short notes of all problem areas during preparation. During the last days before the examination, avoid being too busy but relax and solve the doubts recorded earlier. The last phase can look at question papers alone rather than the big books. Keep the mind comparatively free during the last day before the exam.