How to prepare for competitive exams (GATE/IES/PSUs)
The basic syllabus for these exams is almost same i.e,
Electrical & Electronics engineering subjects. The difficulty levels may be
different. The secret of success in any competitive exam is confidence in the
subject. Confidence will come with strong fundamentals. I would like to say that
fundamentals in any subject are just like a foundation to any building. We all
know that if foundation is not strong for any building it will not stand. If we
do not catch this point simple questions will also scare us.
Few thoughts on how to gain strong fundamentals:
When you are ready to prepare for any of these
competitive exams, do not restrict yourself to anyone specific exam in the initial
stage of your preparation. Start like as you are preparing one exam in your
core engineering branch (EEE in this case).
Anyone can learn basics of the subject when their mind is
peaceful and more important is you should have interest in the subject. Your
mind will have peace and can enjoy the learning when you do not have exam
tension. So, I can say good time to start preparing for an average student is 7
to 8 months before the exam i.e, when you are in 4-1 semester. Of course, you
can start any time after B.Tech also but consider that you need 7-8 months from
the time when you started at the cost of 1-2 years break in your career. It is
up to the individual.
My sincere suggestion is to start the preparation with a
subject which is fundamental for all subjects. Example is electrical networks and
mathematics for EEE student. Most important thing is never by heart any formulae
just to solve an objective question as same question will not repeat in the
exam. Try to learn the definitions of basic laws and their applications in the
real time scenarios, derivations, problem solving methods rather than specific
numeric problem even though it is objective exam. Now a days, I found that in
several interviews, questions are based on these things only.
There are two
basic ways to learn the fundamental
1.
Refer standard text books (at least 2-3 for each
subject)
2.
Take help from subject experts and then refer
text books based on their recommendation
I felt second way is best method for beginner. In this
aspect, coaching will play a crucial role in better preparation. Please try to
understand one point here, I am not saying that coaching is mandatory but
it will definitely help you in time saving and structured way of preparing.
More important thing, if you attend classes you will get the competitive
spirit by seeing the crowd of people. If you prepare alone in your room, you
will not know what is going on outside. Once you get the competitive mood and
fire, automatically you will prepare effectively and you can learn so many
things from your teachers, friends and sky will be the limit
In the initial stages of preparation (either self or coaching)
I will strongly recommend to maintain notes on basic concepts. These notes will
be very helpful before and after the exam. Believe me, even in my professional
life also if I get any doubt or need to refer any concept, I will refer my UG/PG
notes first rather than any text book. In future if you refer your own notes,
you can quickly connect to the concept. Notes are my major wealth in my life
and I am encouraging you too have nice notes. If you attend any interviews,
notes are very useful and will provide quick summary. You need not to carry big
& heavy text books
so many students are asking me in the following way:
Importance of fundamentals
so many students are asking me in the following way:
“Is it compulsory to read standard text books for every
subject to get <100 GATE rank? Otherwise these ACE material and online tests
are enough to get that rank”
One thing I would like to say that fundamentals in any
subject are like foundation for any building. I can consider these types of
questions like “Is it strong foundation required to construct nice building”.
Answer is obviously yes. If
you construct your building without strong foundation, you cannot celebrate
house warming ceremony and you cannot stay in that building.
Getting good rank without fundamentals is exactly similar
situation. Getting good rank should not be goal, whatever the education you are
having during your student life, it should give confidence to face all the
challenges in your life. It can be professional life or personal life. You may
feel boring these types of lectures when you are in student, but this is the
fact. You will realize this as you are getting old from the student stage
Even in our power electronics also, out of all the
components everyone is interested in fundamental component only as it is useful
component. There will be no more counter argument for this statement
Until you prepare objective books and mugging up the
formulas & bits, you cannot answer new questions and challenges, Always try
to learn the procedure, concepts and the approach
For the corporate companies, what you are solving is not
an important matter but how you are solving is important. What is the approach
you are demonstrating is important and how differently you are reaching the
solution will really make differentiation from others
Finally I would like to conclude with two rules:
Rule 1: Never loose time
Rule 2: Do not forget rule 1
I wish you all
the best.
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