So, you’re in classes 11/12 or may be even in classes 9/10 and you’re looking for guidance on how to go about preparing for competitive exams. I will list some general points which I consider to be vital in this post. Specific points will follow later.
- First, try not to punch above your weight. One of the most important aspects to do well in life is to know yourself. It is vital to know what field(s) of study you want to pursue. You don’t necessarily have to zero in on one field. You can have multiple options if you want, according to your interests. Once you have a general idea of what you want to do, you can decide which specific exams you want to appear in and tailor your preparation accordingly. The earlier you do this, the better.
- Even when it comes to your studies, know your strengths and work on them. The syllabi for competitive exams in India are so vast that it is not possible to study and remember everything in detail. Everyone has topics/chapters that they enjoy and other topics/chapters that give them a hard time. While you should not neglect the latter, it would be more beneficial to concentrate on the former.
- Lastly, PRACTISE! PRACTISE! PRACTISE! The earlier you start the better. Do not underestimate the difficulty-level of the exams you want to appear in. For example, even if you’re a whiz in math, if you do not get sufficient practice beforehand, u will NOT do well. Remember, doing well in competitive exams is all about correctly answering as many questions as you can within a stipulated time. Speed is key.
- I will list specific info on what books to follow for all subjects which have proven to be hidden gems for competitive exam preparation in later posts. So, stay tuned!
