Thursday, 27 September 2018
Tuesday, 25 September 2018
Thursday, 17 May 2018
How to Prepare for IIT? 8- Notes of Mistakes
Whenever you do a mistake.
Analyze it and put it in the notes of mistakes in the given
categories. How to categorize , what are the types of mistakes and
what is the meaning of those mistakes?
Type
of Mistakes:
1- Conceptual Mistake
2- Calculation Mistake
3- Never Heard type Problems
4- Recalling Problem
5- Literature based problem
6- Mishandling Mistakes
Let us understand the mistakes in detail.
-
Conceptual Mistake:
Which kind of mistakes should
be put in this category? How these kinds of mistakes happen? What are
the possible sources of this kind of mistakes? As name suggest
conceptual type. These kinds of mistakes are very dangerous.
Improving and correcting it takes time. Recognizing it, is a very
tough job. So be careful and if you knew it somehow don’t leave it.
Let us understand it.
-
If you know some facts, you are very sure about but what you know is wrong. Like let us take a fact “moon rotates about earth.” But suppose someone told you or you read it wrong somewhere that earth rotates about moon. It is a conceptual mistake.
-
If you know some fact or theory but you don’t know it completely or don’t know the conditions in which it will be applied then you can do conceptual mistake. Like
Q:
Number of solutions of log4(x
– 1) = log2(x
– 3) is
(A)
3 (B) 1 (C) 2 (D) 0
Solution: log4(x–
1) = log2(x–
3)
log2(x–
1) =2 log2(x–
3)
(x-3)2
= (x-1)
x2
– 6x+9=x– 1
x2
– 7x+10=0
(x– 2) (x– 5)=0
x=2, 5
Looking into the solution one
might end up with the option (C) as no of solutions=2.
But answer of this question is
option (B). Because x=2 is not an answer of this question.
As conditions (x– 1) >0
and (x–
3)>0 is being violated when x=2.
How to minimize conceptual
mistakes?
If you have solved the problem
confidently and there is no calculation mistake then chances of
mistake is conceptual mistake. Take advice of some friend of yours or
ask your teacher, show him your solution. Search in solved examples
of the book or study material or solution of test papers. After
getting the right answer don’t forget to update it into “Notes
of Mistakes”.
-
Calculation Mistake:
These kinds of mistakes are
easily identifiable. Just after the exam or whenever you will revise
probably you will find it.
Like
4+2=8. Is it correct? No, this is a calculation mistake.
To minimize these kinds of
mistakes one has to do a lot of practice of calculations.
-
Never Heard Type Problems:
If you come across some terms
or being asked to find something you haven’t heard about. Then put
those problems in this category. Search that topic and get your
knowledge updated. Put it in your notes.
Q:
Find
the number of positive integers which have the characteristic 3, when
the base of the logarithm is 5.
Suppose
you haven’t heard about “characteristic” then you won’t be
able to solve this problem. Learn about “what is characteristic?”
then solve it.
This can
be minimized by covering the syllabus in a comprehensive matter.
-
Couldn’t Recall Type Problem:
This is memory based problem.
We often forget things. Suppose in the examination, You come across
some problem you have solved it earlier or you read about it but not
able to come up or being confused between the facts.
Like
suppose there is a problem of match the following one column is of
substances and other column is of colors. One might forget or become
confused in some substances.
People
often think that this kind of problems can’t be minimized but that
is not the reality this can be minimized as well. We will talk about
it later in few posts , how one can increase memorizing power?
-
Literature Based Mistakes:
This might seem funny but it
happens sometimes students know the scientific terms but literature
might create problem in understanding the problem. Basically it is a
problem of vocabulary and getting the meaning of sentence as a
complete. These kinds of problems are faced mostly by the students
who have changed from Hindi medium to English medium.
The
acceleration due to gravity at the moon is one-sixth that at the
earth, but the law
of gravitation is
the same both on the moon and the earth. This symmetry of the laws of
nature with respect to translation in space gives rise to
conservation of linear momentum. In the same way isotropy of space
(no intrinsically preferred direction in space) underlies the law of
conservation of angular momentum. The conservation laws of charge and
other attributes of elementary particles can also be related to
certain abstract symmetries. Symmetries of space and time and other
abstract symmetries play a central role in modern theories of
fundamental forces in nature.
Read the above paragraph. Are
you getting, what it wants to convey? Some of you may find two problems
here. One you may find words which you are reading first time or
don’t know the sense of it. Second you may find it difficult to
link the sentences. Sometimes literature based problems leads to
conceptual problems as well. One might get confused like.
a(moon)
= 6*a(earth) or a(earth) = 6*a(moon);
where a=Acceleration
How to minimize these kinds of
problems? Reading habits can minimize these problems. My advice is
read “NCERT BOOKs”. Your vocabulary will improve and will be able
to get meaning of sentences and be able to link the meaning.
Initially it might be frustrating for you as it will take a lot of
time to read and understand one page on NCERT but don’t change your
mind. Slowly your reading habit, vocabulary, understanding and speed
all will improve.
Why NCERT? Because NCERT is the
basic book prescribed by CBSE (Central Board of
Secondary Education) and in competition terms used are from
these books.
-
Mishandling Mistakes:
The mistakes that can be put in
this category are as following:
-
Question missed completely or a part of it.
-
Marked question no wrongly.
-
Filled bubble of a question in another.
-
Mistake in filling OMR sheet.
These kinds of problems arise
due to examination pressure, tension, daily routine, food habits,
lack of confidence.
To minimize these kinds of
problems take “Test Series” seriously. Practice a lot. Increase
your concentration. Daily routine should be as the routine of the
examination day and it should be followed strictly at least a month
before the examination day.
Wednesday, 16 May 2018
How to Prepare for IIT? 7- What tools one should use?
Now
we will talk about the tools and techniques about how one can
increase their learning efficiency. What are the tools? how to use
it? How to manage time? What should be the revision pattern?
Tools that will help in the preparation:
1- Reference Books
2- Study Materials
3- Test Series
4- Previous Year's Papers
5- Notes (Notes Making is very important)
6- Notes of Mistakes
7- Peer Group
8- Online Resources
9- Planning Calender
Let us talk about the above tools in detail.
-
Reference Books:
one should have exactly one
good reference book. How to decide which book is good?
Factors:
-
Managed and To the syllabus contents.
-
Examples.
-
Level wise Practice problems.
-
Quality of problems should be good.
For students it will be
difficult to judge about the books so take the advice of some expert
or go along the folks. If you are confused between two or more books
then use point system (as used earlier for deciding coaching) and then
compare. But buy only one reference book.
How to use it?
-
First read the content or theory part.
-
Try to solve the examples without looking at the solution.
-
Look at the solution analyze your method and learn shortcuts, formulae, method update it to your notes.
-
Go for the exercises and solve it to the end. Reaching to the end is important.
I have seen most of the
student, they start the exercise let’s say there are 100 problems
then they reach up to 70-75 problems and leave the rest. Due to lack
of time or due to rushing nature that “I have to touch the next
chapter.” Sometimes students buy 2 or 3 reference books and try to
solve all of them at a time. Suppose there are 100 problems in each
books, what they do, they pick one book, solved 10 problems, then
pick another one solve 10 problems then next book solved 10 problems.
Ultimately for them they have solved 30 problems. But in my opinion
they have learned only the 10 problems. This is a wrong approach.
Suppose there are 200 problems and you have lack of time. Or you want
to solve only 100 problems then solve the problems at even
place(2,4,6,8,……,100) or odd place (1,3,5,…..,99) this way you
will cover nearly all type and level of problems.
"I
fear not the man who has practiced 10000 kicks once,
but I fear the man who has practiced one
kick10000
times."
Bruce
Lee (a famous martial artist)
Approach should be buy
only one books and master it in such a way that you can solve
thousands of such books rather than buying thousand books but not
able to solve even one book completely.
Note: Always
Update your notes if you find anything special.
-
Study Materials:
There are a lot of coaching/
institutions available. Mostly provide study materials. One can buy
any good coaching’s study materials. Why to but a coaching
material, when one has bought a reference book? Study materials are
prepared for exactly the entrance exam point of view. These are
concise and the representation is good. Key points are highlighted.
Problems to the recent pattern. Regularly updated. Tips, tricks and
shortcuts. Analysis is good.
How to use it?
-
First read the content and theory part.
-
Try to solve the examples look at the solution analyze the method and learn shortcuts, formulae, method.
-
Find anything unique update it into your notes
-
Go for the exercises and solve it to the end.
-
Test Series:
Regular evaluation is necessary
for the competition so join any test series or get the papers of test
series somehow. Benefits of the test series.
-
Evaluation will keep you on the track.
-
Timely completion of syllabus.
-
Experience of examination environment.
-
Time management will improve.
Points to keep in mind:
-
Take the tests seriously.
-
Take each test as it is the final examination.
-
Set goals for each test, if required change the strategy.
-
After each test analyze the mistakes. Categorize the mistake.
-
Update the mistakes in the notes. Or make a separate notes “Notes of Mistakes” for this see the next post on “Notes of Mistakes”
-
Previous Years Papers:
After reading the reference
books and study materials and solving the problems in there. One
should try the problems of previous years’ papers. If you are able
to solve the problems correctly, It means your preparation is going
in the right direction. If wrong then see the type of mistake and
improve it.
If you are not able to solve
the problems then possible reasons are as following.
-
You have not understood the concepts or the methods, not attentive in the lectures. (Your side problem)
-
You might not have been taught. (Teacher side problem)
-
Others, you can categorize see the “Notes of Mistakes”.
Some problems you will find
which will need knowledge of many chapters. Come again and solve
those remaining problems after finishing those chapters.
Try to solve previous year
papers completely.
Update the concepts into your
notes time to time.
It will boost your confidence
as you are able to solve the problems which came into previous years’
papers. You will know the pattern of the examination, level of the
questions. It will give you a direction “what and how much is still
needed?” By analyzing you can guess the problems that might come
in future.
Note:
Buy that previous years’ papers books that is written chapter wise.
This way you can monitor your progress chapter wise.
-
Notes Making:
In this section I will tell you
the importance of notes. What should be put into the notes? How it
should look like? In short how to make a good notes?
Notes making is an art. Good
notes can give you success in the examination. When you are taking
notes, you are writing by your hand, at the same time you are
printing on your memory. It keeps you attentive in the lecture and
self study time as well. Very helpful in revision in the last
minutes.
Components of a Good notes:
-
Concise and to the point information, and only with key terms.
-
Use of geometrical shapes circles, ovals, lines (mind maps).
-
Highlighted texts.
-
Use of Graph, flow chart.
-
Use of 2 to 3 color pens Or Underline by solid/dashed lines.
-
Classification and arrangement.
-
Questions with star rating.
-
If there is any mistake or wrong method write it too in the notes and a cut by single crossed line highlighting it as wrong method with reason why is it wrong.
Steps :
-
For note making buy in a good notebook as you have to study it many time.
-
Put page numbers in the notebook.
-
Leave first two or three pages for “Table of Contents”. You have to make the content table as following table:
- S.No.Chapter or TopicPage no.DateRevision dates
1 Quadratic Equation 3 15/06/201.. 01/07/201.. 03/10/201.. 10/02/201.. 2 Progressions 21 25/06/201.. 03/07/201.. 03/10/201.. 10/02/201.. 3 Complex number 52 02/07/201.. 02/08/201.. 04/11/201.. 11/02/201.. 4 Binomial theorem 70 15/07/201.. 5/08/201.. 04/11/201.. 11/02/201..
Write Revision dates so that
you can monitor your revision pattern you can also put an advance
date when you want to plan the revision.
-
Start making notes from the chapter you want to start. Write date on top of the paper and title of the chapter.
-
Make it neat, clean and spacious. It should feel good to the eyes.
-
While revising the notes use star rating, highlight the texts which seem important.
-
A separate notes “Notes of Mistakes” can be prepared Or can use the tips of that in this notes as well. It is your choice want to make separate notes or combined notes.
6. Notes of Mistakes: We will talk about it in different post. (click here)
7. Peer
Groups:
What is peer group?
A
group of people of approximately the same age, status, and interests.
You have to create your own peer group of students preparing for the
same competition. If you have joined a coaching/institution then it
will be easier. But be careful the group should not be big, 4 to 5
students are enough. This will help you in problem solving, concept
clearing, comparing the marks and knowledge.
Peer
groups are
healthy when they exert a positive influence, disastrous when
rejection or negative pressure is involved.
It acts like all will sail across the river or all will drown into
it.
Take
part into the discussions related to the topics of syllabus. Don’t
involve into too much discussions.
Share your notes in the peer group. Look into the notes of others and
update and improve your notes.
8. Online Resources: Lots of online resources are available one can use it wisely.
Warning: Remember your aim is to get the amount of knowledge required to get into IIT only. Don't start research work means don't give a lot of time for just one topic. If you will do it Believe me you won't be able to finish the syllabus in time.
I will try to provide topic wise list of contents with time requirement in some of my future posts. You can follow that but remember that all of us have 24 hours a day.
9. Planning Calendar: Take 12 A4 size papers or you can use the pages of your notebook. Make a Monthly calendar. You have to mark the reasons why you could not study on particular date. This way you can monitor your progress and how you can reduce the wastage of time. Suppose on 15th July you were sick. So mark due to sickness. Suppose on 26th July a friend came and you could not resist to go with him so mark the name of that friend and how much time you were with him.
How to prepare for IIT? 6- How to get ready for the war?
I
have heard from some gossips that getting into IIT/NIT/Govt Medical
college is very tough job. Many give the reason as every year lacks
of students give the examination and seats are limited. Quite true.
Many students give up to go for the preparation. My say is, don’t
give up so early and even without trying.
Suppose
you are not playing football in the ground then how many goals can
you hit? It is sure that the answer is a big “O”. But if you are
playing then how many goals can you hit. Still you can’t say
anything definitely. But if you have practiced hard you know how to
tackle the ball. Then there is a possibility that you might hit a
goal. And with practice and proper guidance you can increase the
chances.
So
are you afraid of losing the battle before getting into the
battle-field? Then I am going to help you overcome the fear
of it. That’s my promise. If you try then there are chances of
getting into IIT/NIT/Govt Medical college. If you are reading this it means you are keen to take part in the cut throat
competition.
Yes,
you heard it right, it’s a cut throat competition and reason is
limited seats available.
So
what is it all about?
What
am I gonna tell you?
I
think the answer of the first question is clear to you. Hopefully you
are willing to give some competitive examinations ahead or had given
in the past want to know how to improve or want to advice somebody
you care about. And for the answer of second question you have to
read it ahead. Obviously I will be sharing experiences of mine, my
friends and my students and the stories of some personalities related
to the topic.
I’ll
talk about the strategies , how to plan things in a better way? how
to know what books one should read? Blah blah blah……………..all
these type of questions which remain bogging one’s mind.
I
am very much confident that this will enhance your analyzing
power. You will start seeing things differently. In short your world
will get downside up. You will feel more confident about what you
have to do and what to do? You will be able to clear the things.
Are
you ready for the battle? Let’s start kicking the ball.
How to prepare for IIT? 5- Know Your Examination (KYE)
Before
starting the preparation one should be aware about the examination.
What are the things that one should know? How and where to get those
information regarding the examination?
The
first and most important thing is to go through the information
brochure of the examination. Read it carefully and note down the
following points
-
Eligibility conditions
-
Syllabus
-
Pattern of the examination
-
Important Dates
Competition
|
Form filling start date | Last Date | Admit card (link Opening date ) | Exam date | Date of Result announcement |
| NEET 2017 | 31/01/2017 | 01/03/2017 | 15/04/2017 | 07/05/2017 |
08/06/2017
|
| AIIMS 2017 | 24/01/2017 | 23/02/2017 | 01/05/2017 | 28/05/2017 | 14/06/2017 |
| JEE Main 2017 | 01/12/2016 | 02/01/2017 | 2nd week March 2017 | 02/04/2017 |
By
27th
April2017 |
| JEE Advanced | 28/04/2017 | 02/05/2017 | 10/05/2017 | 21/05/2017 |
11/06/2017
|
| BITSAT-2017 | 06/03/2017 (5.00pm) | 15th April – 10th May 2017 | 16 th May – 30th May 2017 | after all the tests are completed | |
| UPSEE-2017 | 18/01/2017 | 28/02/2017 | 07/04/2017 | 16/04/2017 | on or before 30th May, 2017 |
The
purpose of writing this table is to have an idea of tentative dates
related to the examinations. You are advised to make a table of your
own. The information brochure can be found on the websites of the
concerned examinations.
Some
links are as following:
If
you are not able to search on the internet find contact numbers of
few coachings/ institutions and just call them and ask for the
information.
You
can get the syllabus printed in any cyber café from information
brochure (don’t take the print out of whole brochure). In initial
few pages of the reference books one can find the syllabus of the
examination. Get a photocopy of that.
Read
the syllabus 2-3 times and make a mind map of that.
Tuesday, 15 May 2018
How to prepare for IIT ? 4- Which coaching/ Institute should one join for IIT?
This
is the most difficult question. Answer of this question is to be
decided by the candidate itself. I will guide and tell what factors
one should take into consideration. See the following table it is just a sample format that I have prepared one one add more points and remove or modify the point.


This is a 300 point table. You can use it to decide which coaching one should use. One can change the point allotted according to them. Then start giving the point to coaching A and Coaching B. How to allot the points in the factors. Suppose we have to allot in the faculty qualification row if all faculties are IITians give 30 out of 30 points. If two are IITians one is NITians can give 25 points. Like that you can award the points. Years of experience: 4 points per year of experience up to 5 years above 5 years give full points. Friendliness how to check it? Go and meet the faculties interact with them if possible. Ask previous year students if possible.
4th point is Fees Structure if someone has not economic problem then he can leave that point but many have this problem. Coaching fees may not come into the budget so give more point is fees is lesser.
In infrastructure you have to see the classroom size how many students can sit in a class if it is less than 60 give full points. If it is between 60 to 100 give 3/4th point and like that you can decide.
Let us understand why If classroom size is small then number of students will be less then teachers can focus on each student. Suppose there are 300 hundred student seating in a class one cannot be able to focus on individual student. There will not be any difference between a video lecture and classroom study. When it comes to doubt clearance either other teacher will handle it or student will not be able to ask doubts after the class because it will take a whole lot of time for one doubt to reach near the teacher.
Similarly other factors can be understood if anybody has any specific question regarding the factors can comment in the comment section. I will try to respond as per my schedule.
You
can add other factors too if you have anything in your mind and allot
that factor and give it some points.
This
way you can compare the coachings. Choose the most appropriate.
How to prepare for IIT? 3-Is coaching necessary for the preparation of IIT?
This
question is a little tough to answer because it depends on one’s
educational background and environment. If one has access of right
course material and assistance of someone who can clear doubts then
coaching is not necessary. But this kind of situation is difficult to
find for most of the folks. So my advice is, it is better to join a
coaching. Getting a personal guidance is a good thing but that person
too has some commitment of time.
Now a days coaching centres are available in every corner of the country. Many online programs are running. Good amount of youtube videos are available on nearly every topic of syllabus. Lots of test series and books on previous year's papers are available. Content availability is not an issue the major issue is how to finish the syllabus in time with adequate knowledge. After watching youtube videos few of my students given feedback that for one topic they watch many videos so repeating is a major issue. It seems a waste of time. Second thing is which video they should watch and which they should leave. It seems a waste of time. In some of my blog I will provide the topic wise links of the contents. But the benefits of the coaching can not be neglected.
Now a days coaching centres are available in every corner of the country. Many online programs are running. Good amount of youtube videos are available on nearly every topic of syllabus. Lots of test series and books on previous year's papers are available. Content availability is not an issue the major issue is how to finish the syllabus in time with adequate knowledge. After watching youtube videos few of my students given feedback that for one topic they watch many videos so repeating is a major issue. It seems a waste of time. Second thing is which video they should watch and which they should leave. It seems a waste of time. In some of my blog I will provide the topic wise links of the contents. But the benefits of the coaching can not be neglected.
Benefits of joining a coaching are
as following
-
To the point and concise study materials
-
Doubt clearance assistance
-
Proper evaluation
-
Proper counseling
-
Competitive environment and peer group
-
Consistency and continuity
-
Timely course completion
In my career so far I haven't met any person who has cracked IIT without taking any coaching also seeing the increased competition and not only limited but timely limited attempts for IIT supports the idea of joining coaching.
The power of Self motivated person should not be underestimated. If someone is determined for it and doing accordingly with consistency and continuity. He will surely get a way and will be surely successful.
Conclusion: Overall my conclusion will be try to join a good
coaching. If it is not possible then take distance learning program
or online program and make a collection of topic wise videos. Proper plan for finishing the syllabus in time.
Note:
One very important advice if
you have joined any coaching try to join test series of another
coaching Or get the papers of test series. And solve it
properly.
Monday, 14 May 2018
How to prepare for IIT? 2-When one should start the preparation for IIT?
This
is the most common question that is asked by the students, parents,
guardians. Answer of this question is very simple. Most general
answer is one year before taking the examination according to the
eligibility conditions. One year is sufficient to ensure a seat into
an IIT/NIT. But seeking the increasing competitive environment and
trend. One should not take the risk and start preparation for their
goal as soon as possible. Even some coachings/ institutions started
taking admissions from class 6th. It is too early to decide for
something. In my opinion joining two years foundation course i.e. starting preparation from 11th class is reasonable.
Reason
: Why one
should start preparing for IIT from 11th
class. What is the syllabus of JEE for IIT/NIT? It is the syllabus
of class 11th
and 12th.
One can argue that if one will learn the topics in advance then he
will master them till the exam. My argument is what will happen if
one tries to teach 12th
class syllabus to a class 6th
student. I am not saying that he won’t be able to understand
anything or he can not do good in that but for him it will take more
time to grasp the
things and he will feel mental
stress. Now look at
the syllabus of NCERT books and who has prepared it. Read the
introductory words, acknowledgements, look at the text book
development committee. You will find that it is prepared by the
experts who are very much experienced. We should value their efforts
that they have put in the research work to prepare the books.
Conclusion:
In my opinion
best time
to start the preparation for JEE (Main and Advanced) is
from 11th
class.
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