With the time-table for the examinations out, the countdown has begun for students who are juggling between board and entrance examinations.

The balancing act

With the time-table for the examinations out, the countdown has begun for students who are juggling between board and entrance examinations. 

    Marking the beginning of a particularly challenging period, students are busy juggling board examination preparations with coaching classes for competitive examinations. Those preparing for medical and engineering examinations, at the state and national level, say they are under pressure to perform well at both fronts.
    “We should keep in mind that a class XII student in the science stream, preparing for the board examinations, is also preparing for other competitive examinations such as the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) that determines admission to the Indian Institutes of Technology and the All India Engineering Entrance Examination (AIEEE) for admission to a host of institutions, including the National Institutes of Technology,” says K Ashish Mithra, professor of physics from IITMadras. Karthik Govindarajan, a final year student at IIT-Madras, says many students who excel in academics in IITs are often those who did well in school examinations, too. “There seems to be a correlation there. But, in my case or in the case of many of my batch mates, the focus was clearly on the JEE,” he says.
    Preparing for competitive examinations also makes preparation for the board examinations simpler, he adds. “Concepts in mathematics, physics and chemistry are covered in-depth in examinations such as the JEE, which enhances our general understanding of the subjects, too,” says Karthick.
    J Sathish, commerce faculty in AKT Matriculation Higher Secondary School says, “Students should try and strike a balance between preparations for the different examinations till the end of January.”
    With revision examinations in school and mock examinations at coaching centres keeping them occupied, students tend to over work and end up being under tremendous pressure. This time of the year is crucial for students in class XII. Refraining from watching television or browsing the internet is one way to ensure there is more time on hand. Parents play an important role in motivating children. The entrance examinations require a change in strategy and orientation for students compared to the board or other examinations. Cracking entrance examinations is all about dedicated practice on the test types that are relevant, followed by revision tests and feedback. Students should follow certain tips from their teachers and parents which will put them on a better track, no matter which entrance exam they are appearing for. You have to identify the areas you are not so comfortable with, and it is advisable to experiment in your practice tests.