How to Prepare for the Test ?

There is no magical formula. Only rational considerations will genuinely help. You would be familiar with most of those considerations now that you have been writing tests and examinations for over 12 years ! Some generalizations, however, are useful to be reminded of. Some are listed below which are derived from the practical experiences of those who have gone through similar tests and those who have been involved in conducted and managing these tests.

Three Golden Hints !!!

The first hint to follow in preparing for an objective test ( like the Entrance Test): Don’t Cram.

Second: review your subject keenly, thoroughly and with understanding. Memorizing becomes useful and easier after understanding the contents under review. Start early when you have plenty of time and browse at a relaxed pace. Don’t wait until the last few days to start preparing for the test or asking people to show you a short cut. There are no short cuts. The more time you give yourself, the more familiar you will become with the subject matter and better you will feel about being prepared

Third: Practice, practice, and practice solving MCQs as much as you can

( don’t be too hard on yourself) The more familiar you are with the format, better is your grasp on the questions in the test. Getting to know the question, some say, is half the battle won. Why not win half the battle before actually getting in to it? Remember ! skills necessary to beat the tests develop over time. Allow yourself that time and effort.

Before and During the Test

• Get a good night’s rest.

• Do not change your eating habits, if possible.

• Follow directions.

• Do not become interested in your surroundings during the test.

• Do not keep "one eye" on your friends and the "other" on the invigilator.

• Your eyes should be fixed on the printed page, and your only objective should be to accomplish your task efficiently, with speed and accuracy.

• Do not become impatient or discouraged if you cannot start at once effectively - most of us need a little warm up period for our concentration to reach peak level.

• Be interested in yourself ( not your surroundings and buddies) Self interest leads to motivation to concentrate; remember, you are working for yourself and YOUR FUTURE.

• Do not rush too much: there is no prize for finishing early.

Guessing Answers

People have different views about guessing. But there is difference between intelligent and calculated guessing and bluffing. We all tend to guess at most critical of times if we do not have a ready made answer. You may think of guessing answers only after you have finished all you could and left with "don’t knows". In this situation you could guess as long as it is a "calculated" and "educated" guess and not a wild guess. There are certain hints for positive guessing which come with practice. Ask your teacher to give you some practice in the class room. Remember though, you would be penalized through negative marks if your guess, wild or calculated, did not work

A Positive Approach to Answering Questions and Test Taking:

Alongside the hints listed above, a positive, competitive approach and attitude are qualities of successful individuals. Hand in hand, however, goes a fund in knowledge. Nothing succeeds like knowledge of the subject matter for test taking. Indeed, suggestion on test taking are all built on knowledge, which is strongly reinforced by your confidence, being supported by an understanding of the process involved in the successful answering of the questions

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