Best Utilistation strategy for Test Series

In the current scenario of tough competition, observation shows that for popular exams like GATE, ESE, CAT, Banking, IIT JEE, etc students are always asked to join a test series and they purchase it also. It is expected that any students who is preparing seriously or is looking to appear in these exams always take one or more test series of various coaching institutes but on the other hand, only a few students actually dare to appear for those tests. Even though, they know the benefits of giving mock tests before the actual exam but students are found to be afraid of these test due to many said or unsaid reasons. In this blog, I am going to discuss some key points that every student must consider before appearing for any such mock tests. I would suggest you to go through each and every single line till the end. I would cover all the points in a questionnaire format which will make you understand everything easily.

1. Which test series should be purchased?

There are two points you should consider while choosing your best companions from the various test series options available in market. First one is about the number of candidates appearing in the test. Taking a test series having large number of student of course helps you in knowing your exact position in the country or face the actual competition that is expected in the actual exam. So, the first point always suggests you to go for the market leader or the most popular platform for the test series. But most important point is the quality of the questions and matching of the difficulty level of mock test with the actual exam you are actually targeting to appear. It may be the case that market leader is not giving the actual level required for your exam because any platform can gather large number of students or become popular in your locality by various forms of marketing or may be your friends and seniors are also mis-leaded by the fascinating marketing strategies. So, among the two points discusses above, I would always suggest you to go with a test series which is actually matching your examination level.

2. When should I start giving mock tests?

I would say, “Today is the right time to start the right thing”. If you are really willing to get good score then don’t delay in start giving mock tests and start the test series. Although, frequency of giving tests may vary depending upon the time available before actual exam but remember giving some tests even without good overall preparation will also help you in knowing the actual level and pattern of the exam. So, never hesitate to start a mock test early also. Yes, if you ask me for the perfect time to give mock test then I would suggest you to appear subject wise or topic wise test as soon as you complete the respective subject and the next best time to appear for such tests is when you revise that subject. It will help you to keep a check whether you have understood the topic and concept properly or not and on the other hand it will also give you some practice questions to attempt. Maintain this rhythm of appearing for 2-3 tests for each subject after every subject during the whole cycle of preparation.

3. What if I score too low or below my expectation in mock test? Does that really matter?

No, your score in the mock test is the worst thing that comes for free with any test series you appear. There can be either of the two conditions possible with you, one is that you score lower than your expectations and other is that you are scoring better than your expectations. In the first you will feel depressed and may even lose confidence in yourself to prepare for your respective exam but the second case of getting more marks than expected can also prove to be dangerous because in that case you may start feeling that you know everything in the subject which will definitely stop your learning process as a student. I must confess here that even after such long teaching experience I still read and try to learn more and more from standard text books because the fact is knowledge can never be completed but this state of feeling overwhelmed by a good score in a mock test is really harmful, specially for a student preparing for a competitive exams. So, I would suggest you to just ignore the score written in the final analysis of any mock test. Don’t get happy or depressed just because of a trial or rehearsal because that score is not the absolute or final one.

4. What should be the correct approach of appearing a mock test?

Quite Environment

Always give mock test in a quite environment with a proper seating arrangement and your tools for rough work and calculation. Try to take the test as seriously as you would appear for the actual exam.

Sit for Complete Scheduled Time Duration

If the test if scheduled for 1 hour then make a habit of sitting there for 1 hour even if you complete the mock test within 15 minutes. Sitting silently with calm mind even after giving your best in the test is really important because this will help you in catering with the most common problem of ticking extra questions as guessing in the actual exam. It is quite a commonly seen practice that most of the blind guessing is done in the time after you have actually finished questions you really know. This guessing and blind ticking happens more if you are forced to sit with your question paper and answer sheet even after you have finished. If you making it a habit to sit silently and control your emotions even when you are finished with your questions then it will help you in overcoming this problem.

Analysis

The most important part of giving a mock test is its analysis because mock tests are meant for improving you score. As discussed above, never check your score but also don’t forget to check the solution of each and every question asked, whether it is attempted correct or wrong. This will help you to know more concepts or new ways of solving a particular question. Also, it will help you in marking your weak areas of the subject or syllabus. Proper analysis is not yet completed by checking and understanding the solution given but it requires even more in-depth analysis. Make a list of questions and mark yourself why you attempted the question wrong. I have categorized the common reasons for a wrong attempt into four categories and you are advised to mark the wrong attempts under each category.

• The first category of wrong attempts is because of lack in concept or wrong formula used. This mistake can be rectified easily by studying more about the concerned topic or revising more to remember formulae.
• The second category of wrong attempts is because of wrong calculations or unit conversion. This can be rectified by practicing more for unit conversion or using calculator more to avoid future mistakes.
• The third category of wrong attempts is because of mis-reading the data given or questions asked. This category is what we call as over-confidence but no one accepts this for himself/herself unless he/she realizes this by own. So, always keep of check of your mistakes.
• The fourth category of wrong attempts is because of lack of time. Many marks are lost if you don’t manage you time properly in the examination hall. This is the most common reason especially in the exams demanding more questions in less time so you are always advised to keep a check on your time management during any exam or these mock tests.

Always remember, mock tests are for your improvement and improvement is not at possible if you really don’t know what to improve so this analysis part is most vital part. Keep a track record of number of wrong attempts by you in each of the four sectors and try to improve yourself. Any improvement if seen in your track record will also boost your confidence which will be really an absolute improvement.

5. What should be the frequency of appearing for mock tests?

I would give you both maximum and minimum frequency for mock tests. On the minimal side, at least give one mock test every week during preparation stage. This will help you to keep yourself on track with proper continuity which is most important in such tough exams. Talking about maximum limit, I would suggest you to never appear for more than 1 test in a day because attempting more tests make you feel too light while appearing for those tests and may also effect your seriousness in the actual exam. Remember, over-dose of anything in life is harmful.

I would end this article right here, as most of the important points to be discussed are covered here.

 Don’t ignore this article if you are really serious about your preparation and exam.

Sharing is caring so don’t forget to share this with your friends and juniors. It may prove helpful to someone who really needs the guidance.