Tips to ace any Competitive Exam

We will try to understand in either a word or a statement all your common doubts regarding any exam preparation.

 

Student: What is the most important thing while preparing for any new exam?

Mentor: Syllabus.

Follow the syllabus for focused preparation. Following the syllabus is difficult because no course by the coaching institute is made as per the syllabus so you need to prepare your own notes based on coaching institute resources.

 

Student: What creates the difference between one who cracks the exam and one who doesn't?

Mentor: Practice

Practice is the most important routine that helps you shape your learning into a meaningful outcome. In this case, it could either be

• Understanding your weak and strong areas
• A mindset to give exams without stress or anxiety
• Doesn't let fool yourself
• Gives you Motivation if you consistently practice more. And de-motivates you if you practice now and then.
• Strategy to score well ( I remember practicing a lot and still scoring below the cutoff for RBI Grade B, however, we understood just 2 days before the exam that it is more gainful if we do tough but grouped questions than a relatively moderate but different set of questions)

 

Student: Is it good to take coaching or self-study?

Mentor: There is no substitute for self-study

For better returns, you need to first sweat and do self-study, understand what is tough and what is easy in the syllabus. Later, with coaching help, you can better focus on tough ones and learn by yourself the easy ones. This saves time, money, and resources.

 

Student: I study harder, but I don't see progress? Why?

Mentor: Because you lack consistency

Consistency is highly underrated in exam preparation so much so that we don't get enough motivation to study till exam day is close.  This procrastination is not because of your personality but it is because of your lack of awareness about what consistency can do to your life.  If you are not aware, then I suggest you look around for more examples of consistency.  It could your mom's daily routine, it could be your brother's gym routine, it could be the routine of a milkman or newspaper boy.  Try to observe them, talk to them about the work they do and why they like doing it.  You too will become consistent if you have role models who are consistent in things you like about them.

 

Student: I have multiple goals, how do I cope with them?

Mentor: 2 Goals - an Easy One and a Tough One

First, conquer the easy one. Try to experiment with your strategies with an easy goal first. Gain confidence, and try for a bigger goal.

 

You can comment with your questions below. And as a mentor, I will answer them here.