A Few Facts about the So-Called Difficult "EXAMS"

Confidence and Hope: The most important thing is to have faith in yourself. Be confident. Even if you are not confident, act to be full of confidence. This is based on a psychological principle as per which trying to be confident turns into actually being confident. Self-belief generates positive thoughts and enables you to strive till the last minute during any exam. Diffidence will only prepare you to regret and give up hope. Remember, hope is the basis of every effort. A hopeless bird is ultimately nest-less. You might not be well-prepared to take a certain exam (due to several reasons beyond your control and comprehension). Nevertheless, you must appear at the exam and strive to get the best of whatever you know. Your attempt will not be in vain as it will teach you the basics of the examination and help you not to repeat the same mistake next time in other examinations. Next time, you will be a more confident aspirant ready to crack some really tough test!

Syllabus and Preparation: It is wisely said that if one wants to learn or earn, one should not waste a second or a rupee, respectively. Unprepared aspirants are like unarmed soldiers confronting furious tanks at ferocious battlefields. In this fast-changing world of cut-throat competition, even being well-prepared is no guarantee to selection. If you don't agree, meet those aspirants who have been preparing for years. Last stage rejection has become a common thing; forget the unprepared gamblers (don't call them aspirants). It's Too Much!!! - covering the complete course is like taking a dip into the deep blue sea. True. Plus, there are thousands or lakhs of aspirants competing with each other. True. Then, where do I stand? First, the elaborateness or toughness is the same for every aspirant, not just for you. Second, the final selection is not from the aspirants; it is from the “Serious Aspirants”. That's why we have prelims(in some exams) and interviews(in most exams). Usually, only 10% of the total aspirants are serious. In some tougher examinations, the seriousness level may be as low as 5%! So stop worrying. Be positive. Kiss your book and start preparing to be a part of the serious circle.

Common Constituents: Exams have a world of their own. Their course content may be poles apart. However, most of them have certain things in common. So, if you are preparing for multiple exams such that each exam falls on every Sunday, pick out the common content. These may be General Knowledge/Awareness, Intermediate English, High School Mathematics and Fundamental Reasoning. Don't neglect GK because it will not only help you in written exam but also in Interviews. Once you master these, you are assured that you are going to get good marks; however, if you work more sincerely and be more focused, a seat is certainly fixed for you. Nobody can snatch it from you; it's yours!

Never Underestimate: Never underestimate a so-called easy examination. [Competitive Exams are never Hard or Easy: All depends on the number of seats and vacancies.] You never know when the pattern gets changed or completely revised. At last you will find yourself among those scapegoats who curse the examiners on news channels. Who was wrong or what was wrong? It is debatable. However, the certain thing is those who were not well-prepared were the gross losers. They wasted their money, eligibility, opportunity and a year (or 6 months for bi-annual exams). Therefore, get your basics right and avoid negative marking. It is better to attempt 25 questions correctly out of 100 than 75 questions out of which 40 are incorrect.

Calculated Risks: Only half-an-hour is left and you have calculated (based on your experience, reading, other opinions and previous cut-off) that your present performance won't let you anywhere; therefore you decide to take risk. It is like a double-edged sword. You may get unprecedented marks or you may score even lesser than your status quo. APPLY PROBABILITY. First, spot those questions (assuming each question has 4 options) about which you are sure that either of two (you are sure that the other two are wrong) options, one is correct (but you are not certain which one). Second, select those questions about which you think that you have read somewhere sometime or your mind has some link or hint. Don't play blind shorts that are either super sixes or clean bold.

Identify Time-Killers and Speed Breakers: You appeared at the exam and went home. After taking a sound sleep, you decided to calculate your marks. To your surprise, you found that you could have performed better because time did not permit you to come across questions as simple as 1+1=? First, enjoy the cakewalk, thereafter, start digging the earth to discover pure gold. Don't waste time on hard nuts. If time permits, you can re-attempt such questions after successfully attempting the easier ones. If you don't follow what is said above, it is possible that you qualify the exam but it is also probable that your name is dropped from the final merit-list (marks obtained in written exam, interview and other tests, if any) on account of scoring two marks less than the last finalist!!!

Don't forget to practice: Success in any exam leads to either admission to some course or recruitment to a job. Both of which require you to write on paper and work on computers. So, while preparing for exams don't forget to hone your writing and typing (computer) skills.

Lack of Fun and Rest: Remember that Jack turned into a dull boy due to lack of physical activity and games. He always kept studying. Being an aspirant doesn't mean that you should be glued to books 24X7. Divide your time into studies and fun. Studies should not steal you of your share of fun. Play your favourite games (preferably outdoor games). Don't forget to rest. Sleep is a natural elixir. Rest is not about sitting idle. It is rightly said that rest is REPAIR.

Self-Doubt and Disappointment: Preparation is a long and tedious process. Question yourself, “Am I really serious about the exam?” At times, it may cause self-doubt. Also, even after scoring well, you might not find your name in the final selection list. This happens due to various factors. Ultimately, you curse your luck and ask yourself what your future will be. At this point, don't lose hope. It is time to scrutinize your preparation methodology and aims. It may happen that your goal is not practical or the exam you have targeted offers a few seats but invites a severe competition. So, why not take other exams also having more or less similar course content but higher seats? Those exams that offer you a higher or the highest probability must not be ignored. First get a job (or some course of similar level) in order to get a base to stand upon, thereafter keep striving for lucrative positions.

All The Best: With absolute faith and optimism, say this to yourself - when you get up, when you touch your book, when you write, when you go to bed, when you hold your admit card and also when you enter the examination hall to take your seat. All The Best.


[After all, Life is only a compilation of Miscellaneous Exams.]