Changes brought about by the last decade and the opportunities offered by liberalization and resultant privatization have put the parents in a high pressure rat race, hankering after the best they can secure (in terms of career avenues) for their children, and that too at the earliest.

Having an MBA degree these days seems to be on the top of the wishes of students aspiring higher education. One of the reasons as cited by them is: it opens unlimited career avenues with high profile and high pay-pack jobs and success, too.

Most common nowadays is the tradition of entrance exams, especially in the higher and professional education. These exams have been an issue of debates because students are often unsure about their ability to crack these common entrance tests whether they are internationally acclaimed GRE and GMAT or nationally recognized JEEE, CAT, or state level tests like GCET and GUJCET (in case of Gujarat state).

For MBA aspirants the dooms day is nearer, in fact a day away. It is natural that we are all worried and a little uncertain due to many a reasons. We are worried because on one hand our future is at stake and on the other the results are uncertain.

In such a situation, maintaining our test-taking mental ability proves to be a key factor in primarily coping with exam pressure and finally, in being on the top. At this point in time it should not be forgotten that this is our optimum level and now we cannot go further in terms of our performance but of course we can definitely stop spoiling it.

The anxiety is the result of peer group pressure, uncertainty of questions, their patterns, weightage in terms of marks, marking scheme and time management during the test.

However we tackle the situation, it is going to give us two dimensions in the end. One is the Content Dimension in which tested are our knowledge, reasoning ability, mathematical calculations etc. with the other being Pressure Handling Tactics which prevents us from unnecessarily spoiling out score and performance. It is so because there is a difference between preparing ourselves for something and executing the same preparation in the crucial period of our life.

Let us try to have a look at both the dimensions. We’ll take up the Content Dimension first.

The test comprises of three components: 1. Entrance Test (80% weightage), 2. Group Discussion (10% weightage), and Personal Interview (10% weightage).

The entrance test will include questions on Reading and Comprehension, Language Proficiency, Numerical Ability, Data Analysis, Data Sufficiency, Critical Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, Psychological Aspects, General Knowledge and General Business Environment.

- In RC, the paragraph is always short, forceful and it always makes us think. Moreover, questions require a lot of inferencing as it always has some implied message and tone. To get the maximum in RC, we need to keep in mind the marks allotted to the passage and the kind of questions asked. We should never start answering questions without thoroughly going through the passage.

- In LP, vocabulary, syntax and general knowledge of grammar and usage is tested. Rich vocabulary and very sound knowledge of English language can help us out.

- While attempting Numerical Ability, Data Analysis, Data Sufficiency questions, we need to avoid using pencil and paper for calculations. Doing it mentally, we can save lot of time.

- Critical Reasoning is often a test of our originality. Here, we have to remember assumptions and conclusions. We cannot simply write the answer just because we feel it is true. We have to carefully go through every answer choice and then decide upon the correct one.

- For Logical Reasoning and Psychological Aspects, we have to have good logical, psychological reasoning skill. To successfully complete this section, we need to understand, analyze, and draw conclusions from short argumentative passages.

- Our general reading habits can help us score well in General Knowledge and General Business Environment sections.

Coming to the second dimension i.e. Pressure Handling Tactics, we have to have very strong will power and firm determination along with decision making skill.

Here’re some observations that we need to keep in mind for successful completion of the test:

- The first thing is having a sound sleep during the night before the test and reaching the exam center just on time so that we can avoid unnecessary tension giving gossips.

- This is the stage where we have the maximum of input that we can have before going for the exam, hence the best thing is to slow down and leave the worries of unread knowledge behind.

- We should not try to predict the question s or their patterns or else a different kind of questions may cause mental trauma.

- We should not worry about the expectations of our family members, relatives and friends. On the contrary we need to keep in mind our caliber and our performance based on our reading.

- The best of the things is: we identify our strength areas, focus them and try to achieve the maximum from them leaving the weaker areas unattempted.

- On this last night let us all refresh our basic concepts and try to understand the methodology and the process involved in solving the questions.

It causes tension, stress in those whose basics are not clear, who’s not planned. So, we should not be worried if we find the paper / section / questions in a different pattern, style or order than what is there in our knowledge, Facts, logic, knowledge and reasoning are going to be the same.

The only thing we need to remember is: we have to follow the time allotted to each question, section in particular and the paper in general.

At last, whatever is the pattern of the questions, sections or of the paper, if our preparation is proper, and if we are confident, success is ours!

Moreover, it should not be forgotten that GCET is not the end-exam of our career. There are many more career options and avenues open to us.

This article was first published on Times of India - Anand Plus.

The article is written by Bhaskar Pandya and Tarun Patel.

Both are teachers of Communication Skills at Education Campus Changa. You can write to them at tarunjpatel@gmail.com / pandyabhaskar@yahoo.co.in.