The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Students get tips to crack AIEEE

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Feb 13, 2006

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Students get tips to crack AIEEE

Meera Srinivasan

Apply the elimination process, say experts

CHENNAI: Cracking the AIEEE is all about intelligent use of time, applying the elimination process while tackling teasers, and shading the ovals properly, as scores of students learnt during a session organised by The Hindu Education Plus and AIMS Education on Sunday.

The discussion on the model All-India Engineering Entrance Examination (AIEEE) evoked a tremendous response from students and parents.

Big response

Over 1,200 students gathered at Vani Mahal, and patiently stood through the sessions. Interestingly, many parents were also present and taking notes, as the question paper was discussed.

"Due to the confusion about the common entrance exam, the AIEEE has justifiably received more attention. The number of students appearing for the exam this year is considerably higher," said P.V. Navaneethakrishnan, consultant, AIMS Education. In future, more institutions may opt to use AIEEE to fill their seats.

Last year, the discussion following the mock test was held at the respective AIMS centres. Since the response was greater this year (from State Board students, in particular), a common discussion forum was organised, Gita Prabhu, director, AIMS Education, said.

The Jaya group of Colleges sponsored the written test, conducted on January 29.

" The Hindu has been working on various projects that benefit students. We are very glad to be associated with AIMS," said V. Ravi, general manager, circulation, The Hindu .

"The model test will give students the confidence to take up the actual examination," M.S. Palanichamy, former Vice-Chancellor, Tamil Nadu Open University, said. He lauded The Hindu and AIMS for the initiative. The increase in the number of students appearing for AIEEE, he said, was because of the enriched State Board syllabus for class twelve students.

Negative marks

Faculty members of AIMS education discussed the physics, chemistry and math sections of the question paper with the students.

"If you are not sure of an answer, try using the process of elimination. If you are still not sure, leave that question and proceed," said D.P. Sankaran, one of the faculty members. Since wrong answers attract negative marks, a student stands to lose if he or she got too many answers wrong. The AIEEE question paper normally comprises three sections with 60 questions each. Each question, with multiple-choice answers, is allotted three marks.

"I wish there were no negative marking," S. Lakshmi Prashanti, a student of Prince Matriculation, said.

"We need extra preparation as there is absolutely no room for guessing," Sharatha Nandakumaran, of Padma Seshadri, said.

However, U. Goutham of Vivekananda Vidyalaya felt negative marking would help filter students. "It gives deserving students a better chance," he said.

The fundamentals

K.S. Nagaraja, who discussed the Chemistry paper, urged the students to focus on the fundamentals. "Please remove the posters of filmstars and sports heroes from your room. Instead put up the periodic table of elements. If you take a look at it every morning, it will really help."

S. Radhakrishnan, professor of physics, said, "Simple questions could be framed in a tricky manner to confuse students. Once you get the question right, answering is a lot simpler." "In mathematics, you don't have to remember much. Just think smart. You might get the answer in a couple of seconds," Sriharsha Salagramasaid while explaining an odd function integration problem.

The first five toppers of the model test were given prizes. M.S. Sudarsan of Padma Seshadri, who scored the highest, was awarded Rs. 5,000 and a gift hamper from Nestle.

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