For a winning score
How to tackle mathematics and biology papers of the entrance test.
Mathematics and biology are the most decisive of all subjects in the Kerala State Engineering and Medical Entrance Examinations because of the relatively higher number of questions (120 each) in the two papers, compared to physics and chemistry.
The overall ratio of the number of questions is 5:3:2 for mathematics, physics and chemistry for the engineering entrance test. The same is the
biology, chemistry and physics ratio for the medical entrance test. This time, we will look at the subjects that have the highest weightage - mathematics and biology.
Mathematics
Students will have to be quick on the draw regarding formulae. Since there is not too much scope for visualisation and thinking in equations (except in the case of coordinate geometry), students will have to be ready with basic formulae and variants, if any.
You should also get yourself familiarised with different types of questions in the same subject.
Students with an average aptitude for mathematics can also do very well with sufficient exposure to various types of multiple-choice questions. Skill can be developed by repeatedly doing questions that call for the application of formulae.
Even students are amazed at the significant reduction in the time required per question. This happens because of `mental short-circuiting' of the steps involved in answering a multiple-choice question.
If it were the 12th Board examination, the same question will require detailed steps that will show the evaluator that the student has thought through it.
In the entrance test, the student has to prove that he is thorough with the basic theory underlying the question. One should try to directly `jump' from the first step to the answer.
Simple logic should convince the students on this aspect. It is almost humanly impossible to write down detailed steps to the 120 mathematics questions, within 120 minutes. There are `standardised jumps' for particular types of questions. If you have done it before, you can do it with perfection in the examination hall too.
For example, students should familiarise themselves with the concept that the number of permutations of r objects out of n is nPr. The application of this concept can appear in a question worded `the number of ways in which people can be seated on a bench if two of them will not sit in the corners and one will sit only in a corner is — ."
This may be followed by five answer choices. The student has to first understand the question, visualise, connect the situation with some mathematical concept and related formulae, and then apply the solving technique.
The different areas of mathematics are trigonometry, coordinate geometry, calculus and algebra. Trigonometry is largely formula-driven. Coordinate geometry can be cracked with the help of visualisation. Calculus is best tackled using `standardised jumps' or generally applicable shortcuts. Some questions in algebra can be very lengthy. An understanding the basic nature of the questions in the various areas of mathematics can put you in a comfortable position. The biology area comprises botany and zoology that are covered through a large number of chapters in the XI and XII standards.
Biology
The fundamental difference between biology and any other subject is the `straightforwardness' of questions.
In most of the cases, there is absolutely no calculation involved. Hence the result is a direct `yes' or `no' without much fuss. The time taken per question is most likely to be the least for biology. But then, you cannot afford to make many mistakes in this area. Also, since pressure as regards time is much less, students who are well prepared end up attempting almost all questions. Hence the net score will be a combination of hardcore knowledge, ability to recollect items and common sense to tackle differently-worded questions.
Since 10 per cent of the total number of questions can be from zoology and botany, students need to go through the chapters concerned thoroughly. One-fourth of the questions are generally drawn from the area of cytogenetics, directly or indirectly. Since human physiology is related to one's own body systems, this area is usually a favourite among students. You should be equally keen on learning the physiology of animals too. Comparative study is the best method in physiology.
Contributed by T.I.M.E.
ENTRANCE COACHING
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