All is well

Boman Irani famously said, "Life is a race, if you do not run fast, you will be like a broken eggs." It was the unforgettable dialogue of his character in the blockbuster Bollywood flick 3 Idiots. The scene probably mirrors the lives of many Indian students who aspire to become engineers. They burn the midnight oil to procure a seat in their preferred college. Adding to their tension is the constant pressure by parents. Not surprisingly, India is probably the only country where the profession of a child is decided even before he or she is born.

For engineering students across the country, acing the IIT-JEE (Joint Entrance Examination) and All India Engineering Entrance Examination (AIEEE) held at the national level is important. These test the students on their ability to understanding of concepts, sharpness of mind, logical ability and knowledge. These entrances are complex because the questions are mostly unique in their context and solving them often requires a combination of concepts from across different chapters.
"AIEEE is a three-hour examination whereas IIT-JEE is a six hour test. Also, the number of questions asked in the former could range from 105 to 115, while that of the later could include 120 to 150 questions," says Ajay Antony, course director, IIT-JEE, Triumphant Institute of Management Education Pvt. Ltd. (T.I.M.E). While AIEEE is slated to take place on April 24, IIT-JEE will be held on April 10, 2011. Ensuring a good percentage and rank of course, depends on students' preparation.
These examinations are taken in two modes; offline and online. The former is the pen and paper mode. The online version on the other hand may include around a lakh students. The tests are divided into two sections, each comprising of questions from physics, chemistry and mathematics. All the questions will be Multiple Choice questions (MCQ) and students can opt for question paper in either English or Hindi.
The three subjects include topics such as electromagnetism, optics and mechanics in physics, organic, inorganic, and physical in chemistry and calculus, algebra and analytical geometry in mathematics. "Each subject has a set syllabus which forms the basis of the question paper. The IIT-JEE is usually held in two sets. The first is held in the morning, at around 9am to 12 pm. And the second one at 2pm to 5 pm," reiterates Antony.
The pattern of the test does not undergo a drastic change. Antony explains, "There are six different patterns in the three subjects and the questions are based on them. A student who prepares on the basis of these patterns will easily be able to score a high rank."
The entrance sieves the best rankers who are then placed in the best engineering institutes of the country. But it requires dedicated hours of study and thorough preparation. Saransh Aggarwal, an IIT-JEE aspirant says, "I study for 14 hours a day, but as the date for the examination comes close, I feel as though it is not enough." Many others like Aggarwal are fretting over their preparation, but the best way to go ahead with a clean sweep is thorough understanding of subjects.
Antony explains, "Students must try and finish at least ten model papers and work on their syllabus. Most of them enroll themselves in tuitions, but it would only be fruitful if they put in extra-effort on their own. Mugging is an absolutely no-no. Most of the questions are application based and require students to use logical reasoning." Another option for preparation is to thoroughly study previous year's question papers and solve them in a threehour time. This would help you be better prepared during the test.
But at the end of the day students must also try to relax themselves and engage in recreational activities in order to take a break. According to Seema Hingorany, a Mumbai based clinical psychologist, the key to acing examinations is to be confident, revise and most importantly set a time-table. "You must believe in your capabilities and be sure of what you can do. Many students sail through the preparation but often panic on the day of the examination. It is natural to feel nervous prior to the exam, but getting excessively nervous is counterproductive as it will hinder your ability to think clearly," says Hingorany.
Students who prepare for technical exams can use visual-aid to remember their topics. "Sticking colourful post-aids with formulas on them can help students retain them," says Hingorany. You can also try taking short breaks and avoiding distractions like television and the Internet," she Hingorany. She also advises that when students see a question they cannot answer, they must not panic.
They must try to relax and once ready, must read the question again or move onto the next one. "It is better to write something down than nothing at all. Avoid post-mortem of your question paper. It can be very discouraging at times; what is done is done," she says. Students must try their best-but if the result does not turn out in their favour-remember, there is always a next time.