HOW TO PREPARE FOR COMPETITIVE EXAMS ?
March 23rd, 2007To my mind, the first prerequisite for success in these examinations is determination. The candidate must be quite sure of his level of motivation. Without a high level of motivation, no one can go through the rigorous preparation process. Thus, you must be absolutely determined to give your best efforts in your endeavor.
Once one is sufficiently motivated, one needs to be ready to give sufficient number of hours of his or her time in studies. This is real hard work and involves significant sacrifices on the part of the individual. “All work and no play, makes Jack a dull boy”. Therefore it is also important that the candidate does take out some time for relaxation either through sports, music or other art forms. Regular exercise ( about 15 - 20 minutes ) every day will help maintain a healthy body which in turn will house a healthy mind.
The third requirement, is selection of the right study material. One should not go for shortcuts. Instead, try to understand the chapters / concepts in detail and practice sufficient number number of questions. Therefore go for standard textbooks, study materials provided, as various correspondence courses and other coaching institutions serve as supplementary and complementary material to the textbook material.
The fourth consideration is an appropriate ‘Study Strategy’. A very common question which students ask is, How to balance the school studies with competitive exam study. T think that school studies can be incorporated within the broad framework of one’s competitive exams’ preparation strategy. One strategy is to look at each chapter as a chapter to be learnt, a material to be mastered; rather than dichotomizing it as school & competitive exam-related study material. Ultimately, if one’s clear about the concepts of say, “Current & Electricity”, and has practiced sufficient number of questions / numericals ; one can face any examination whether of school or competition. One can use periodical tests in school as an opportunity to master the material that one has collected rather than restricting yourself to the limited knowledge & practice that is needed for doing well in the periodical test itself. Of course, you may not be able to complete all the practice material for one test but clear the concepts. You can use the rest of the practice material for revision and self evaluation at a later time. As the examinations come closer, practicing previous years papers is also key to doing well in these examinations.
Also revise the important concepts, facts, problems that you would have marked during during your 1.5 - 2 years of preparation before the examination.
On the day of examination, keep your cool and attempt the questions. Remember, if you have given your best during the last 1.5 - 2 years, you need not fear anything. Ultimately, only effort and not the result is in your hand. Which you should do to your maximum capability as outlined above. Rest is your destiny or luck. So go ahead, give your best and leave the rest!
Happy preparing!!
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About the Author : Dr. Singhal T. The writer is pursuing MD from All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi. He topped DPMT is 1997.
© Dr. Singhal T, 2006
STUDY IN USA foreign university after school
March 23rd, 2007Pursuing studies in USA is a dream and aim of every student. There are more than 40 states in US which offer education opportunities in English Language, Summer, Undergraduate, Graduate, 2-year/Community Colleges, Vocational/Career and Online/Distance Learning.
We list here few universities :
University of Alabama, English Language Institute in State Alabama
Thunderbird, The Garvin Graduate School of International Management, Northern Arizona University - Program in Intensive English, Arizona State University, American English and Culture Program in State Arizona
Arkansas State University, Spring International Language Center, University of Arkansas in State Arkansas
Kaplan Educational Centers - Vancouver and Malaspina University-College in British Columbia
University of California, Los Angeles, Summer Sessions, University of San Francisco, English Language Academy, University of San Diego, Kaplan Educational Centers - Berkeley, LA, and Sacramento, Monterey Institute of International Studies - Intensive English Programs in California
Johnson & Wales University, Kaplan Educational Centers - Miami and Schiller International University in Florida
Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, University of Illinois at Chicago, Tutorium in Intensive English and University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Intensive English Institute in Illinois
Clark University - Graduate Programs in Massachusetts
New York University American Language Institute, Pace University English Language Institute in New York
Radford University in Virginia
Various areas for specialization in education are Arts and Design, Aviation, Business English, Business/MBA, Engineering, Executive and Professional, Health and Wellness, Hospitality and Tourism, Law Schools/Programs, Medical/Dental/Nursing, Short-term/Certificate, Special Programs, Sports Academies, Summer Intensive English, Technology/Computers, TESOL and Teacher Training, TOEFL and Test Preparation, Video Game Development.
So do not just make a hasty decision to join just any course or a university. Take wise decision for joing a course or a university which builds your career so well that you don’t look back for the rest of your life !