Good golfers keep two things in mind: First, the ball. Second, the hole. They strike the ball only after forming a firm mental picture of connecting the ball to the hole. Average players, however, get caught up thinking about distance, the surrounding field conditions, and spectators’ reactions.
For the BCS exam, keep two things in mind: First, preparation strategy. Second, the job itself. The more you research about BCS, the worse your preparation will become. Keep your dream in mind and work tremendously hard without caring about anything else. You’ll see your roll number in the final gazette!
During this time, remove anything from your life that scatters your focus, even if temporarily. Not everyone likes everything—that’s fine. But many fools love to comment on others’ preferences. Keep yourself away from such people.
For mathematical reasoning, buy any three guidebooks and solve them completely. If you’re weak in math, practice daily. You don’t need to be a science student to get full marks in math in the BCS exam. Show every step in detail when doing math. Don’t leave out any side notes or relevant information. Let me tell you which sections you can study from where.
Simple problems: Previous years’ questions, guidebooks. It’s better to do simple problems last.
Algebraic expressions, algebraic formulas, factorization, linear and multivariate equations, linear and multivariate inequalities, solution determination, mensuration, trigonometry: Previous years’ questions, guidebooks. If you want, you can solve relevant chapters from 9th-10th grade mathematics.
Unitary method, average, percentage, compound interest, LCM, GCD, ratio and proportion, profit and loss, lines, angles, triangles, theorems related to circles, Pythagorean theorem, corollaries: Previous years’ questions, guidebooks
Indices and logarithms, arithmetic and geometric progressions, set theory, Venn diagrams, number theory: Guidebooks and relevant chapters from 9th-10th grade mathematics
Permutation and combination, coordinate geometry: Guidebooks, relevant chapters from 11th grade books
Probability: Guidebooks, relevant chapters from 12th grade discrete mathematics
Mental ability questions are supposed to be a bit twisted. You need to keep your head cool, read the questions carefully, and answer with full concentration without looking around. Definitely read through 4-5 guidebooks thoroughly. You can practice this section regularly using guidebooks, IQ test books, and by searching Google and visiting various websites. Keep in mind that you won’t get full marks in this section while preparing.
For the General Science and Technology section, first take sufficient time to read previous years’ questions and suggested questions from 2-3 guidebooks several times very carefully. Science students typically score low in this section because many don’t prepare properly due to unwarranted overconfidence. Write a bit less creatively in science. If you can provide necessary marked diagrams, symbols, and equations, your answer sheet will stand out from others. Remember, it’s better to answer three questions worth 4+3+3=10 marks than one question worth 10 marks. Now let me tell you which sections you can study from where.
Light, sound, magnetism: Guidebooks, 9th-10th grade physics, 11th-12th grade physics 1st and 2nd papers
Acids, bases, salts: 9th-10th grade general science, 11th grade chemistry
Water, our resources, polymers, atmosphere, food and nutrition, biotechnology, diseases and healthcare: Guidebooks, internet, 9th-10th grade general science, 9th-10th grade geography
Computer and information technology: Guidebooks, internet, Peter Norton’s Introduction to Computers, higher secondary computer education 1st and 2nd papers
Electrical and electronic technology: Guidebooks + higher secondary physics 2nd paper book
Look at the syllabus and read only what’s necessary from the above books topic by topic (guidebooks contain many things that aren’t needed at all). If you want, instead of buying whole books, you can photocopy just the parts you need. It’s very good if you Google these topics and read about them on the internet. Study more questions to understand the pattern of questions—this way you won’t waste time reading unnecessary questions.
During this time, don’t run around here and there; spend more time at home. The main problem with competitive exams is the appearance of preparation without actual preparation. Taking the BCS written exam isn’t that easy. It’s true you can pass this exam because failing it is actually difficult. But passing will only give you the consolation prize of taking the viva exam, nothing more. Your target isn’t just to pass, but to pass with high marks that will get you the job. If you work hard with proper understanding and can apply it effectively, you’ll get the job as a worthy reward for passing well.
This article appeared in the ‘Chakri Ache’ page of Kaler Kantho newspaper on May 11, 2016. The link:
Thanks sir
Thanks a lot, dada.