Competitive Exams Preparation

The test structure of the Indian educational system is not particularly standardized; it constantly changes in response to societal demands. There are typically three types of exams. The first is the general exam, which is given at the secondary and higher secondary levels and is administered by different boards across the nation. The entrance examinations taken to get admission to a particular college or university come in second. The third is the competitive exams to get a job in a specific country sector. Competitive exams are a particular kind of test used to evaluate students and assign them a grade, percentage, or percentile. Only after earning a diploma or during the final year of completion can students sit for these tests. The majority of these exams are administered at the state or federal level. They are held for a variety of professionals, including engineering, medicine, and law. There are several competitive exams in India, including NTSE, NEET UG, PG, JEE-Main, and JEE-Advanced (at the high-school level). Competitive exams are thought of as an egalitarian way to choose deserving applicants without running the risk of prejudice, influence peddling, or other problems. Those who are subject to peer pressure find this type of exam to be very stressful, whereas self-motivated candidates find it to be much simpler. One of the most prestigious exams in India is the National Talent Search Examination. A portion of the Pre-RMO, IMO, INMO, Pre-Departure Camp, and International Olympiad are the Regional Mathematics Olympiad (RMO). One of the most difficult exams in India is JEE-Main. About 10-12 lakh candidates register every year. Today, admission to the top academic institutions is competitive and becoming more difficult daily. It demands a considerable amount of effort, dedication, and most importantly coherent efforts. You must start early to adequately prepare for the challenging route that lies ahead. Students should start taking competitive exams at the national and international levels, regardless of their career objectives. For students in grades 1 through 12, many exams are held by the government or by private organizations. This group may include Olympiads, NTSE, NMTC, and other contests. 

• Importance of these Competetive exams:

1. Helps to gain deeper subject knowledge - Students studying for these exams must master the fundamentals. It necessitates in-depth research on the themes because intellectual comprehension will be given greater weight in these exams than memorization. Therefore, students who prepare for competitive exams benefit from in-depth subject study and curriculum comprehension. This inevitably contributes to their academic success. 
2. Enhances skills - These exams aid in the development of a particular skill, including logical thinking and problem-solving abilities. As students get ready for the tests, they absorb the material by working through numerous real-world issues. They can approach the subject from a variety of angles, which also sharpens their analytical abilities. Some tests are focussed on enhancing English language learning abilities. 
3. Boosts confidence - Competitive exams necessitate extensive study, which enhances knowledge and abilities to boost a person's confidence. Students perform well and receive appreciation which encourages them and serves them inspiration to pursue their dream careers.

Additionally, it helps students realize the value of making persistent efforts throughout life. Children who develop the habit of doing regular, disciplined work are well prepared to take their future. 

The goal of a competitive exam is to identify the top talent for a specific job profile. The curriculum for these exams often comprises general knowledge, math, data interpretation, and reasoning skills. It is an exam that gauges a student's general aptitude and understanding rather than being specific to any one field or faculty. Competitive exams are challenging since many applicants are competing for a small number of seats. Only 31,988 students qualified for JEE Advanced in 2018, out of the approximately 11.5 lakh students who registered for JEE Main and 2,31,024 candidates who qualified for JEE Advanced. The most common competitive exams in India are bank tests, defense exams, insurance exams, staff selection commission exams, research exams, UGC exams, and UPSC exams. NO reservations are permitted for SC, ST, or OBC applicants in the CDS and NDA defense service exams administered by UPSC. Competitive exams are regarded as a good method of selecting applicants free from the influence of favoritism of others.

• Advantages:

1. Early exposure to academics and rivalry develops self-assurance and talents that set you apart from other candidates on the same platform.
2. These exams improve the ability to apply topics in a wider context, which is necessary when we take exams like JEE, NEET, Civil Service, and many more. 
3. They unlock the doors to foreign universities, including MIT, the top university in the world. Medalists at the International Olympics have a decent probability of enrolling at prestigious overseas universities. Few colleges have seats set aside for these students. 
4. Awards, prizes, and scholarships not only offer financial support for additional education but also enhance morale as one moves forward in life. 

• How do you prepare for these exams?

The only route to entry-level positions in the government sector that pay well is to succeed in competitive exams. You can do well on these tests by combining regular study with extra-curricular activities like group discussions. One should have a certain goal in mind and a proper schedule for studying. 

1. Make a plan - Half the work is completed with a well-laid plan. Learn about the examinations that you are taking and their schedule. Make a time estimate and a strategy for your study time.
2. Time management - To succeed, it's critical to manage your time effectively. Separate time for study, relaxation, and numerous other activities in your daily schedule to avoid confusion and distractions. Try to use your time as efficiently as possible. 
3. Choose subjects wisely - The subject you are most comfortable with should be carefully chosen. This has been cited by many students as being essential to success.
4. Mock Papers - Practice with sample tests from the past year would be very beneficial. This will give you a general concept of the exam, and format and force you to practice throughout the allotted time. Your speed and time management skills will also increase by solving practice exam questions. 
5. Inspiration - Motivate yourself by looking at your family, friends, and peers. Always keep in mind that motivation will help you achieve your goals. Additionally, key advice and directives should be put into practice after carefully studying the interviews of previous toppers.

• How to ace these competitive exams?

1. Smart work is better than hard work  - Paying attention and being mentally active for something is more important than the amount of time being given to it. One should quantify the quality of focused study rather than the number of hours they spend in front of the books, especially for competitive exams. The most popular way to stay vigilant is to cut back on interruptions. Get rid of the TV that is screaming in your room.
2. Avoid scheduling related topics back to back - Studying several topics at one time is preferable to group together similar topics. It implies that it might not be a smart idea to study Physics following Mathematics. Your brain will be able to comprehend all three things far easier if you put history or literature in between. 
3. Time to relax - When you are cramming your busy study schedule, unwind and take breaks. Take these breaks to relax and rejuvenate, watch a movie, listen to music, or engage in some physical activity. This will help you feel revitalized and you would be able to concentrate better. 
4. Remembering the keywords - You should always keep keywords in mind. To help with that, highlight them and keep them in mind anytime you are studying. When preparing for a test, you will need to know the keywords because they are important. Additionally, they will aid in memory. 
5. Brew a cup of coffee - You must keep in mind to take care of little things if you want to perform well in exams, such as having a cup of tea or coffee. They don't really do much for your health. There are other tea options such as herbal tea and green tea which can genuinely refresh your mind and improve your performance in exams. 

You should also keep in mind that you will not always be successful or get a good grade in exams. This should not demotivate you at any cost as there's always the next time. The most important suggestions for handling a poor exam result or score and becoming ready for future attempts are;

1. Examine the causes of failure - The most crucial thing is to examine your failure analytically to ascertain the causes, as opposed to being upset and grieving over the failure. How come you failed? What could have led to a better outcome? What can you take away from this to ensure that it doesn't happen again? To improve your performance for the upcoming test, try to discover answers to all these questions. 
2. Be optimistic for the next attempt - This will help you overcome the miserable circumstances. Instead of dwelling on failure, try to rise above it. Bring your inner positivity to the surface so you may go on with a big-picture focus on success. Just remember that it was merely a poor day that won't happen again. But always keep in mind that being optimistic does not mean disregarding the bad. Overcoming the bad is a part of being positive. 
3. Modify your strategy - This is the crucial action to take after a day with poor results. Remind yourself that you will be well prepared for the next time to prevent this from happening again. For this, work harder in your studies and absorb all the information you can. Work on your exam-related faults in addition to your subject knowledge. The errors could be due to poor time management, a lack of prioritization, or a choice of ideas that was incorrect. So recognize your errors and modify your strategy.

Keep in mind that failure does not spell death. You are not any less educated or able to succeed in life than individuals who received better grades. Just remind yourself that the exam failure you experienced was merely a new step on the road to achievement. Master the guts and fortitude to go past this setback. 

I hope you find this information on the significance and preparation of competitive exams to be helpful. The benefits mentioned above may only be attained if the student has a stress-free environment to prepare for these exams. Parents should not pressurize the children as there are several exams available today; depending on the child's aptitude and interests so there is something for every child. The journey (the preparations) itself is rewarding and benefits the child in the long run, even if the outcomes do not meet up to your expectations.