GUARANTEE : 10 MINUTES OF YOUR TIME WILL HELP YOU SAVE THOUSANDS OF RUPEES, VALUABLE TIME AND EFFORT.

HANDY TIPS FOR PARENTS AND STUDENTS

INDEX

Part 1

1. COMPETITIVE EXAMS
   • Effective Tools
   • Periodicity
   • Limited Seats
   • Types of Exam
   • Aptitude Based Exams

2. PREPARATION OPTIONS
   • Aptitude Testing
   • Coaching

Part 2

3. SYLLABI
   • Source
   • How to Tackle
   • Get a Good Set of Notes
   • Format
   • Utilise the break time
   • Youtube Videos
   • Mock Tests
   • Make Own Notes
   • Current Affairs Magazines/ Newspapers 

4. SOME ADDITIONAL POINTS

Author’s Note :-

Millions of students appear for hundreds of competitive exams every year. These exams ultimately decide your future. The ratio of number of seats to number of applicants is mind boggling. If you do not prepare systematically, you will never be able to get the career of your choice.  This blog gives you certain basic guidelines to be followed by parents and students.

I WISH TO PUT ON RECORD MY THANKS FOR  THE WISE WORDS OF ADVICE AND VERY PROFESSIONAL EDITING BY MAJOR GENERAL SHARABH PACHORY (R), WHO HAPPENED TO BE MY INSTRUCTOR IN IMA WAY BACK IN 1992.

A must read for students from class 9th to 12th, undergraduates and their parents.

The Blog is in two parts. You must read part one before proceeding ahead. 

– COL AD

PART 2

SYLLABII

From Where : Find the current syllabus from the website. Ideal is to take a print out and paste in front of study table. It will help you in staying focussed. Make sure that the font is bold and large enough for you read in case you are pasting it. (For Example, UPSC Exams syllabus, Examination Instructions, previous years Question Papers, Solutions along with Examiner’s Comments are available on www.upsc.gov.in)

How to Tackle : Divide the syllabus under 3 heads, Easy, Not So Easy and Difficult (and also as Must know, Should know and Could know).  THE EASY TOPICS, YOU CAN DO YOURSELF. Subjects like English, History, General Knowledge, Current Affairs etc can be studied without help. Those that are not so easy, may require extra help. The subject teachers, internet and subject notes, YouTube videos giving out concepts and solutions will be of immense help. For Difficult topics, tuition or coaching is recommended. Remember, coaching institutes are good for revision only. Their faculty is trained to deliver the content within the specific time.

Get a Good Set of Notes : Check the list of recommended books. Purchase the material, guide and reference books, Question papers, class notes etc. Have just one set. Having too many books will only confuse you. Good institutes and websites provide compiled short cuts tips and formulae.

Format : Check if the exam is online or offline. Some students are not comfortable with the online pattern. It would be good idea for such students to devote time during the lean period to learn the methodology of online exams. Computer Centres and coaching institutes provide computer based mock tests. These tests are also available online, free as well as paid.

Utilize the Break Time : 4 to 5 hours in day can be devoted during holidays and long breaks. Subscribe for the crash course or subject specific tuition during term break after the academic session.

Youtube Videos : Download and study in offline mode only. Rename the videos as per the topic and organise them in separate folders. Some are really good and effective. These can be viewed on multiple devices.

Mock Tests. Try and appear for minimum 10 sets of mock tests under exam conditions. Assess your performance through the solution and make a note of your progress. Many All India Tests are available online, against a nominal fee.

Make Own Notes : This is the key. The final sheet has to be your own. One page per topic is the key. This will build confidence and ensure better assimilation.

Current Affairs Magazines/ Newspapers : Current affairs and general awareness topics can be studied during the break. It will break the monotony and will come handy during the interview preparation.

English is part of almost all exams, can be prepared in own time. Different tests may have different format and content but some topics like comprehension, grammar and vocabulary etc are common to all. Some students, given their background and education, may not be well versed in English writing and speaking. For such students, it would help to listen and watch English radio and TV programs. They should also endeavour to speak to their colleagues and teachers in English. There could be initial awkwardness or hesitation, but it can be overcome with practice. 

ROHAN’S ONE YEAR PREPARATION  TABLE FOR NDA

{Exam date  April 2021: NDA 1 (E Day)}

ROHAN, OUR HERO, HAS JUST BEEN PROMOTED TO CLASS 12^TH. HE HAS PHYSICS, CHEMISTRY AND MATHS AS MAIN SUBJECTS. ROHAN IS VERY KEEN TO JOIN THE ARMED FORCES. HE HAS TWO OPTIONS AFTER CLASS 12^TH . ROHAN HAS GOT THE PRELIMINARY MEDICAL DONE AND MEETS THE LAID DOWN MEDICAL STANDARDS.

• OPTION 1 : SCORE THE QUALIFYING PERCENTAGE IN PCM ( MINIMUM QUALIFYING IS 70%) AND BE ELIGIBLE FOR SSB INTERVIEW FOR THE TECHNICAL ENTRY SCHEME (TES) ENTRY.
• OPTION 2 : PREPARE IN A MANNER THAT HE IS GEARED UP TO APPEAR FOR NDA-2 (2020), TO BE HELD IN SEPTEMBER 2020. FOR THIS HE SHOULD HAVE GONE THROUGH AT LEAST THREE REVISIONS, INCLUDING  ONE YEAR FOUNDATION PREPARATION IN 2019.

THUS, ROHAN HAS MADE BEST USE OF THE TIME AVAILABLE AND HAS BEEN ABLE TO STRIKE A BALANCE BETWEEN BOARD EXAMS AND PREPARATION FOR NDA.

GIVEN BELOW IS THE BROAD SCHEDULE BEING FOLLOWED BY ROHAN, WHO WILL EVENTUALLY BE APPEARING FOR NDA-1 IN APRIL 2021.

SIMILAR PLAN CAN BE DRAWN FOR OTHER EXAMS TOO. THE TRICK IS TO START WELL IN TIME AND STAY FOCUSSED. ROHAN HAD STARTED PREPARING FOR ENGLISH AND OTHER GENERAL ABILITY SUBJECTS FROM 2018 ONWARDS, WHEN HE WAS IN CLASS 10^TH. HE HAD BOUGHT THE NDA GUIDE BOOK IN 2018 AND WAS REGULARLY FOLLOWING NEWS ON TV AND NEWSPAPERS. HE HAD DOWNLOADED THE SYLLABUS AND PREVIOUS YEARS’ PAPERS FROM THE UPSC WEBSITE. HE HAD PREPARED A LIST OF TOPICS THAT HE COULD STUDY ON HIS OWN. HE HAD SUBSCRIBED TO CSR AND WAS AWARE OF MANY MORE THINGS THAT WERE ACTUALLY REQUIRED FOR THE EXAM. THUS, ROHAN WAS WELL PREPARED AND CONFIDENT TO APPEAR FOR NDA. ROHAN WAS SUPPORTED BY HIS PARENTS AND FRIENDS WHO KEPT HIS MOTIVATION LEVEL HIGH AND CONTRIBUTED IN THEIR OWN WAYS.

SOME ADDITIONAL POINTS

• Stay Focussed : A ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach for all competitive examinations is generally not recommended. While certain aspects are common, the content, syllabus and therefore the preparation technique for different exams has to be different. For example, preparation for IAS exam would be different from that for NDA or CDS, which in turn would be a bit different from, say, banking examination. So choose your focus area and prepare accordingly.

• Personality MATTERS : Personality development is a must for any career that you may choose. Invest in it through on-line programs, listening to accomplished speakers on the subject, attending workshops etc. This facet must not be lost sight of amidst your academic preparation.

• Reading Helps : Subscription to magazines like Competition Success Review and Competition Master, as well as procuring books like Manorama Year Book and the like to would be helpful. Also, have a personal copy of Wren& Martin and Word Power Made Easy.

• Keep Fit : Physical fitness, out-door to and adventure activity is a must. No employer likes a potential employee who is only a ‘nerd’. Do play some games and invest in your physical fitness.

• Focus Areas: Maths, invariably will form part of any competitive exam. You would do well to brush up your 10th standard maths, particularly if you are not from the science stream. Basics/fundamentals of maths must be strong. Likewise, English, which we already touched upon above.

• Have a Good Mindset : A positive attitude is your biggest weapon. It shows in every facet of your being and will always be an asset. Cultivate and nurture it.

• Learn and prepare yourself for Interview : A number of on line and off line agencies coach on interview techniques. It may be worthwhile to learn from these and other sources.

• BE AWARE: LASTLY, IN THESE CORONA TIMES, ALL EXAMINATION SCHEDULES FOR COMPETITIVE EXAMS ARE GOING HAYWIRE. PLEASE BE VERY CAREFUL AND KEEP CHECKING THE FRESH DATES ON VARIOUS GOVT AND OTHER SITES. ALSO BE FULLY AWARE OF THE LAST DATE FOR SUBMITTING OF APPLICATION ETC.

The Final Word : PREPARATION FOR ANY COMPETITIVE EXAM IS LIKE GOING TO WAR. YOU HAVE TO PREPARE WELL AND ARM YOURSELF WITH THE RIGHT KIND OF KNOWLEDGE AND TOOLS TO ACHIEVE SUCCESS. THERE ARE NO SHORT CUTS. WITH PLANNING, TIME AND MONEY CAN BE SAVED. A LONG TERM STRATEGY, BASED ON SYSTEMATIC RESEARCH WILL YIELD BETTER RESULTS. COACHING CAN BE OF HELP ONLY TO THOSE WHO ARE WILLING TO DO 80% OF THE HARD WORK THEMSELVES.

Good luck and best wishes.

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

The use of our information should be based on your own due diligence. The author assumes no responsibility for the use or misuse of this blog, or for any injury, damage and/or financial loss sustained to persons or property as a direct or indirect result of using this blog/eBook. 

THE DOCUMENT CAN BE SHARED, COPIED AND RE-PRODUCED WITH DUE CREDIT TO THE AUTHOR.