Entry Test in Pakistan, how to Prepare and get Highest Marks?

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An Introduction To Medical And Engineering University Entry Test And Tips To Ace It

What Is An Entrance Test?

Entry Test is the test of abilities and specific skills of a student, under pressure. In our educational system children are brought up with the clear thought that they are just to cram the textbooks for better performance in the examination.

This strategy may work for getting high scores in F.Sc exams but this idea flops badly when it comes to Entry Test exams preparation.

Majority of our students come from colleges, following traditional system of rote learning so they face a variety of problems in preparing for the Entry Test.

To fulfill the gap between "Acquired Skills" and "Required Skills" test takers are suggested to PREPARE for the test keeping in mind that they are not going to appear in any subjective type test, but they are to appear in the Entry Test which especially tests the following areas.

INFORMATION

KNOWLEDGE

CONCEPTS

SPEED

IQ/EQ

CONFIDENCE

Firstly, Entry Test is the test of INFORMATION. For instance, it tests the ability of the student to comprehend and utilize them,

General information about the test e.g. When and where it will be held, what materials should the student bring with him/her while going to the examination hall etc.

Test information what direction student will have to follow before, during and after taking the test, for example, how student will have to transfer personal data over the answer sheet and rough worksheet, how many questions will be there, how much time will be given , how to transfer answers over the answer sheet etc. Students must also be aware of the syllabus and format of the test.

Teachers must provide all the relevant information to their students about the test for which they are being prepared.

Secondly, Entry Test is a test of KNOWLEDGE; a student has gained throughout his/her educational career, particularly the knowledge given in the textbooks. For instance, it assesses the overall "understanding" and thinking skills of the student. (During the teaching course, teachers should try to enhance these skills of their students.)

Thirdly, it is a test of concepts. The concept is the superlative degree of knowledge. Note that, in Entry Test, all questions are multiple choice questions (MCQ's) with only one best answer. And the best answer is the one which is conceptually right. If the student is not well versed with the concept, in a way he/she is preparing to lose required scores. A "concept" cannot always be taught in the classroom.

The understanding that some students pick from teacher's words is a “concept” while others usually pick it up as a set of words and sentences that should be _______ written in the exam, Remember, concept is not the words, it is the logic that _________ realize during events _______ by the teacher given in the book along with ________ Good teacher, students have a tough time in developing concepts.

Just to orient yourself towards developing the “concept” of concept ____ answer the following question.

Question:

Which of the following statements is correct?

Vectors can always be added subtracted by simple arithmetic means.

Vectors can sometimes be added and subtracted by simple arithmetic means.

Vectors can never be added and subtracted by simple arithmetic means.

None of the above.

Answer:

The concept here is parallel and anti-parallel vectors can be added and subtracted by simple arithmetic means, so statements (a) and (b) are wrong (c) is the best answer to this question because statement (d) is conceptually right.

Fourthly, Entry test is the test of SPEED, smart students make maximum use of the time so as to score maximum in the test. Students, who work 'too slow' with the test cannot finish the test in time which results in bad scores, Students, who attempt the test in haste, commit blunders e.g. putting the answer of one question on the answer sheet in front of some other question.

The student should have mastered how to attempt the test before the exam and decided how much time should be spent on each and pace accordingly for these exercises. During the course, teacher, should 'train' his student to utilize the test time effectively.

Entry Test is the test of IQ, in other words, it assesses how “intelligently” students play with the MCQs, so as to obtain maximum score with the same knowledge, inefficiency or over efficiency both can be harmful.

Last but not the least; Entry Test is the test of CONFIDENCE. Remember, once in the exam, confidence remains lifesaver throughout the exam.

During teaching course, teachers should try to instill confidence in their students and to equip them with all the "Knowledge" and "Skills" required to do well in the test.

Bottom Line Point of the above discussion in Entry Test is a Dynamic Test. Dynamic preparation is required to score well in the exams.

Why An Entrance Test?

Our universities and other educational institutions are producing a large number of professionals yet there appears to be no standard for evaluation of the professionals and their quality assurance.

Since there is no standard syllabus, performance evaluation procedures fail to measure the quality as well as the extent discrepancy between the existing and the desired quality of an individual candidate.

The admission Entry Test provides a bridge between discrepancies of various education systems and standards by providing a standardized and uniform criterion for selecting candidates seeking admission to various universities in the country.

Entry Test also provides the opportunity to the students with clear concepts (who might not have been able to perform at their best in the easy type of exams) seeking admission to professional institutions.

SECRETS OF HIGH SCORING IN THE ENTRANCE EXAMS

Be target oriented

Start studying early

Set daily routine

Avoid distractions

Understand exam format

Know the importance of textbooks

Focus more on most likely to be tested areas

Anticipate questions

Adopt the appropriate style of attempting the paper

Keep analyzing and improving your skills

Know your strengths and weaknesses

Practice, practice, practice and then do some more practice

Adopt the healthy working style

Stay mentally and physically healthy

Stay motivated, passionate and crazy

Concentrate to increase your brain power

Prioritize your tasks

Don't dislike anything you can't change

Stay away from other negative students

Adopt positive attitude

TIPS FOR TAKING THE ENTRANCE EXAM

Read each of the four responses

Answer easy questions first and then tackle the harder ones (mark question on question paper you want to return to)

If two responses appear to be equally correct eliminate the response that appears to be least related to the question being asked.

Pick the answer in the right spot.

If you are not sure of an answer, guess. Following are the guessing techniques

Choose the most general answer when other choices are specific.

Choose the longest answer when others are much shorter.

Choose the answer with a middle value when other answers are higher or lower.

Choose neither of the similar answers.

Choose one of two opposite answers.

Choose the answer that agrees grammatically. For ex: a, and an = singular, are = plural.

Choose the answer most synonymous with keywords in the question or statement.

Choose from familiar options. Avoid unknown options.

Choose the most logical answer to you.

Avoid answers with absolutes in them. Examples are always, never, ever, any, all, only.)

Change answer if have a reason for doing this (your first hunch is not always correct)

Make sure that you are answering the question asked not the one you expected.

Inform the authorities immediately if there is some misprinting leading to no choice. Then answer the question according to an order of the day.

Have faith in Allah and trust in your abilities.

In case of Paper Based Test, avoid any stray marks on your answer sheet (the test is mostly graded by a machine and a machine cannot tell the difference between an accidental mark and filled in the answer)

TIPS FOR PREPARING FOR THE ENTRANCE EXAMS

Set a realistic study schedule and start studying early

Identify what concepts are most important

Try to identify the content of the questions you will be asked

Do not simply memorize facts

Actively summarize

Study with other well-prepared students

Review past tests (if possible)