Expert Advice - Latest Tips from Quest Tutorials Blog

Questions with no negative marking

Saturday, May 22nd, 2010 by Prtyagi

—    Questions with no negative marking

There are two types of questions, which have no negative marking.

1. Integer type: Students have to “calculate” down to the finest value and then indicate that value in the OMR (Optical Mark Recognition) sheet. This is where the test really lives up to its definition — “objective”. But not multiple choice.

For example, if the answer to a particular problem is 112, then the students have to arrive at the correct answer. In the answer grid that contains four columns of numbers running from 0 to 9, they have to darken 0, 1, 1 and 2. The OMR reader would read the answer as 112 and only to that answer, marks would be awarded.

2. Match the following: The students are asked to match the items in the left column with those in the right column.

A seemingly simple proposition, if you were to exercise ‘fix a couple’ and ‘eliminate one possibility’ kind of techniques. However, it would not work here.

Let the left column have (A, B, C, D) and four options in the right column be (w, x, y, z).

The final marking would look something like this: A- x,y; B- x; C- w,z; D- w,y,z.

You would have to mark exactly like this in the specially designed grid in the OMR sheet to get any credit for this question. If you were to mark all others correct and then D-w,z, no marks would be awarded for this question.

If you were able to get out of the compartment mode of thinking and look for applicability of concepts across subject areas, you would do well. For example, when you look at an area in Mechanics, you should also realize that the same concept may be present in five other topics, viz., Motion in one dimension, Motion in two dimensions, Work Energy Power, Rotational Dynamics and Laws of Motion. Which means you should be able to use one concept in different areas to get these type of ‘Match the following’ questions.

Well, that is what the JEE intends to seek in young aspirants – can you ‘size up the situation’?

Questions with negative marking

Friday, May 21st, 2010 by Prtyagi

—    Questions with negative marking

When there are questions with ‘negative marking’, the first thought that comes to mind is, SHOULD I TAKE A CHANCE? If you are not 100 per cent sure of the answer, then you will not consider answering it at all, lest you get negative marks. But that is exactly what you need to avoid.

Though random guessing is thoroughly discouraged, it may still be prudent to eliminate options and get to probably two likely answers so that your probability of getting it correct goes up. This is possible in all questions, which have Multiple Choices. However, if there are no such choices given (as it was the case in two sections last year), then it is better to leave such questions alone.

Different subjects, different skills – how to study Math, Physics and Chemistry

Thursday, February 11th, 2010 by admin

Mathematics

Mathematics is the study of quantity, structure, space, and change. It is a tool we use to solve real-life problems. So, proficiency in mathematics is measured by our ability to use it to solve difficult problems.

Students who are weak in mathematics, typically, study without writing and practicing with pen and paper. They may be spending a lot of time in reading, remembering or trying to understand the problems.

Mathematics requires us to practice solving problems with pen and paper. Only by attempting problems in various ways do we become proficient in applying the quickest method in the shortest time. So, students who like to study by practising with pen and paper, automatically tend to excel in mathematics.

Physics

Physics is the study of matter and its motion through space-time and all that derives from these, such as energy and force. Physics requires thorough understanding of concepts.

Proficiency in physics is measured by our ability to reconstruct or model the physical world through the various laws it follows, and predict the outcome of a given situation. Application of formula to solve problems requires modelling the problem into solvable mathematical equations. Typically, the mathematics involved in solving the problems is very simple. Most students get stuck in the modelling of the problem. They don’t know the method of applying the formula to arrive at a mathematical model to solve the equation. If one does not understand the problem and application of the formulae, no amount of practice will help. Even if one has a perfect memory of the formula and quantities involved, it would not be possible to solve the problem. Just knowing and remembering the concepts as written in the books may not be enough.

Students who are weak in Physics, do not spend time in reading and understanding the concepts. They may be spending a lot of time in reading, remembering and practicing the problems.

Physics requires reading, thinking, visualizing, integrating and understanding. Students who spend time in reading and understanding concepts, do well in physics.

Chemistry

Chemistry is the science concerned with the composition, behaviour, structure, and properties of matter, as well as the changes it undergoes during chemical reactions. It is the study of various atoms, molecules, crystals and other aggregates of matter whether in isolation or combination, which incorporates the concepts of energy and entropy.

Physical chemistry requires thorough understanding of concepts to solve problems. Inorganic chemistry requires knowledge of properties and reactions. Organic chemistry requires understanding as well as knowledge of the compounds and their reactions. All in all, we find that there is a lot more to learn in chemistry than physics and maths combined.

Students who are weak in chemistry do not read and remember. They may be spending time in trying to understand the system or practicing the problems.

Chemistry requires reading, integrating, learning and revising. Students who spend time in reading and learning naturally do well in chemistry.

Proficiency in physics is measured by our ability to reconstruct or model the physical world through the various laws it follows, and predict the outcome of a given situation.

Tips for IIT JEE Success # 6 – Manage Your Most Valuable Asset – Time

Wednesday, February 10th, 2010 by admin

Time Management
Tick, tick, tick … time just keeps moving on.

You have so many competing demands on your time: School, coaching, homework, assignments, reading etc. There seems to be a perennial shortage of time. How can you come to grips with all of it?

Time really can’t be managed. You can’t slow it down or speed it up or manufacture it. It just is. Time management is MANAGING YOURSELF when following some basic time management principles

First thing is to determine how you are spending your time now. Capture the last entire week on a piece of paper and see the timetable you followed. Count the total number of hours spent in self study during the entire week.

Once you have completed such an analysis you can begin to change the way you manage yourself in relation to time.

Some time saving tips

1. Identify “Best Time” for Studying: Everyone has high and low periods of attention and concentration. Are you a “morning person” or a “night person”. Use your power times to study; use the down times for routines such as laundry and shopping.

2. Study difficult topics First: When you are fresh, you can process information more quickly and save time as a result.

3. Use Distributed Learning and Practice: Study in shorter time blocks with short breaks between. This keeps you from getting fatigued and “wasting time.” This type of studying is efficient because while you are taking a break, the brain is still processing the information.

4. Make Sure the Surroundings are Conducive to Studying: This will allow you to reduce distractions that can “waste time.” If there are times in your hostel or apartment when you know there will be noise and commotion, use that time for mindless tasks.

5. Combine Activities: Use the “Two for one” concept. While sitting in school, finish readings of the textbooks whenever you get time. If you are spending time at the barber’s shop, bring some numerical to solve. If you are traveling to or from the institute in a public transport, bring your notes to study and memorize.

Goal Setting

Ask any successful person, the secret behind his success, and very likely the answer will be “goals”. Goal Setting is extremely important to success.

The personal goal chart is a strategy for setting realistic goals for studying and carefully evaluating the ways by which those goals will be achieved. It takes into account one’s motivations for fulfilling particular goals. It is said that “desire to learn” gives “success” and “success” gives “desire to learn”… so it sounds circular!! But once you get into this circle nothing can stop you from achieving what you want. You might have heard that “nothing succeeds like success”. What that means that it is important for one to get some success to achieve more of it.

Long term plan (Annual) should be made with a view of exams, holidays and school. It creates a overall structure under which smaller milestones are set. In absence of a long term plan,  you suddenly find shortage of time when your exams and tests are close by and you have no alternative.

Deciding on a short-term plan calls for daily and weekly planning. These plans are the most effective because they are more realizable as compared to long-term plans.

You can also make achievable short plans like:

“Completing 25 questions on determinants this Tuesday evening”,

“Revising volumetric chemistry on Monday”, etc.

Tips for IIT JEE Success # 5 – Create a competitive study group

Tuesday, December 22nd, 2009 by admin

Prepare a competitive study group

Your best source of cooperation is your competition. Working with a competitive study group goes a very long way in the successful preparation of IITJEE. When you decide to study in groups, you recreate a cooperative environment to multiply your knowledge exponentially. Students can learn very quickly by sharing their knowledge, skills and resources.

Group formation guidelines

  • Look for people who are experts in certain subjects and topics.
  • Seek diversity in expertise. There should be at least one expert from each subject. Within a subject, look for experts in different areas like organic chemistry, physical chemistry, calculus, co-ordinate, electricity and magnetism, thermodynamics etc.
  • This could lead to having a group that is very diverse. It is good because you may also have different learning styles represented in your group.
  • It may not be possible to find all experts from the friend circle itself.  So, it is important to seek out experts from other areas.
  • Make a study group of five to seven people (Larger groups get unwieldy. Groups with less than 5 are difficult to sustain)

How to study in groups?

  • Ask your friends for clarifications of doubts.
  • Quiz and challenge each other with questions from the IITJEE syllabus.
  • Share useful concepts and questions
  • Be very eager to help. Answer and teach whenever somebody has a problem.
  • If you have to teach a concept, you have to have complete clarity and understanding of the concept. So you are not only helping the other group members, but also you are reinforcing your own knowledge.
  • Someone should take the role of the session leader to keep the session productive.
  • Take a few minutes at the end of the session to evaluate what you’ve done.
  • Don’t meet more than once in two weeks
  • Meet at least once a month
  • Don’t meet without a clear agenda for the meeting

Tips for IIT JEE Success #4– Attending lectures and taking notes

Friday, December 18th, 2009 by admin

Attend all lectures, even if attendance is not mandatory. Using someone else’s notes can help, but it is no substitute for attending the lecture. When you hear the information, process it, and write it in your notes, you are already beginning to learn the information. Reinforcement of the information through revision of your notes completes the learning process.

A student spends about 25 hours per week, in coaching and school, attending classes of Physics, Chemistry and mathematics.

Taking Notes From Lectures

Taking notes during a lecture can be a frustrating, almost overwhelming, job.

What should your notebook look like after a lecture?

In general, it should look a little like an outline with clear main ideas and some sub-points with a moderate amount of details and examples. There should probably be some white space so that you add notes from your text or from the next day’s lecture.

  • Sit near the front and center of the class. You will have the most direct communication with your professor, and you will less likely be distracted.
  • Read the chapter from the textbook before  the lecture. It makes a tremendous difference to the understanding of the lecture. This way, a student can focus on the difficult parts of the chapter and ask questions.
  • Learn to identify main points. Professors often give cues to what’s important by repeating information, changing their voices or rate of delivery, listing items in order of importance, and, of course, by writing on the chalkboard. What key point is the professor making?
  • Maintain eye contact with the instructor. Of course you will need to look at your notebook to write your notes, but eye contact keeps you focused on the job at hand and keeps you involved in the lecture.
  • Stay active by asking questions. Active listening keeps you on your toes. Whenever you have a doubt, immediately ask for clarification. Get very specific in the question that you ask.
  • Try to anticipate what the professor is going to say. It keeps the mind involved and active  in the learning process. Your mind does have the capacity to listen, think, write and ponder at the same time, but it does take practice. You can think faster than the lecturer can talk.
  • If the classroom is too hot or too cold, wear appropriate clothes to deal with it.

An essential skill for good note taking is good listening.

Hearing vs. Listening
Is there a difference between hearing and listening?

Yes, there is! Hearing is simply the act of perceiving sound by the ear. If you are not hearing-impaired, hearing simply happens.

Listening, however, is something you consciously choose to do. Listening requires concentration so that your brain processes meaning from words and sentences. Listening leads to learning. Most people tend to be “hard of listening” rather than “hard of hearing.”

Tips for IIT JEE Success #3 – Develop a System- The Ultimate Weapon

Monday, December 14th, 2009 by admin

Develop a System- The Ultimate Weapon to Win the IIT JEE Battle

Compile the study material

Some questions that come to our mind are:

  • How much material?
  • What IIT JEE courses material should I use?
  • Should I study from the school textbook or the one recommended by the tuition teacher?

There is little time to complete one set of textbooks. It is next to impossible to complete two different sets. Keep just one set of text books for studying the theory (concepts, definitions) and basic problems.

The new pattern of IITJEE has brought it much closer to the school syllabus. So, ideally, it should be the textbook recommended as part of your school syllabus. There is very little difference in the theory presented from one textbook to another. After one set of textbooks is completed, students can look at other books as reference.

Similarly, keep just one set of IITJEE course material.

Note: Collecting too much material is a recipe for disaster

After you have chosen the material that is best for you, how do you put it to the best use? There are as many different ways to study, as there are different people. The trick is to find the study style that works best for you.

Read

This is one of the most useful activity. It takes minimum effort and brings maximum result. Students, who are used to studying from coaching notes, tend to avoid reading. This is the single biggest reason for their failure. No coaching notes can replace reading of textbooks.  The information you gain from reading is important. If you just “do it” without learning something, it is a waste of time. Train your mind to learn!

Read the following:

1. Title
2. Core text and examples
3. Introduction and Summary
4. Heading and subheading
5. Graphics – charts, maps, diagrams, etc. are there to make a point – don’t miss them.
6. Reading aids – italics, bold face print, chapter objective, end-of -chapter questions

Understand

You must understand thoroughly the major ideas and concepts presented. Without such a conceptual framework, you will find yourself faced with the impossible task of trying to cram hundreds of isolated facts into your memory.

* Locate and note down the new terms, which are introduced in the chapter.
* Note down statements, definitions, formulas, etc. which you must remember completely and precisely.
* If you are not able to figure out the meaning, then look it up in the glossary or dictionary.
* Study charts and figures. They usually summarize in graphic form the major ideas and facts of the chapter.

Note: It is a good idea to keep a glossary of your own in the front page of the book. Record the terms and their definition or the page number where the definition is located. This is an excellent aid to refer to when you are reviewing for an examination, as it provides a convenient outline of the course.

Ask question
Ask questions and keep trying to answer them as you read the chapters. The more the questions, the better your comprehension is likely to be. You may always add further questions as you proceed. When your mind is actively searching for answers to questions it becomes engaged in learning.

* Write down the key takeaways (learning) from every topic (make notes)
* Write down the questions that you cannot answer?
* Mark sections for clarification wherever necessary
* Review the key takeaways (notes) after completion

IIT JEE Study Planner: Minimum recommended time for self study

Tuesday, November 17th, 2009 by admin

Most students find it difficult to determine exactly how much time, they should spend in activities in studying. This is particularly important right at the beginning of the study so as to make an effective study plan.

This is complicated even more by the fact that every chapter requires different amount of time. Even different subjects require different amounts of time in theory and problems.

The different questions that come to the mind of the student are:

  • How much time should be spent in reading from the textbook?
  • Are the notes from tuition/coaching enough? Can I manage without reading the textbook?
  • Is there anything to read from the textbook in Mathematics?
  • How much time should I spend in solved examples given in the IITJEE course material>
  • How much time should be allocated to a certain topic?
  • How much time should be spent on a problem that is not getting solved before looking at the solution or asking for help?
  • How much time should I spend in testing at home?
  • How should I calculate the total time required?

We have tried to answer these questions by giving an indicative time plan.

List of chapters (with recommended time slotted)

Topic Total Reading (textbook) Solved examples Conceptual problems Exercises (problems) Chapter test
Mathematics

1

Complex numbers

21

2

2

1

16

2

2

Quadratic equations

19

1

1

1

16

1

3

Logarithms

6

1

5

1

4

Progressions

10

1

2

1

6

2

5

Permutations and combinations

22

1

2

1

18

2

6

Trigonometry

35

2

2

1

30

2

7

Straight lines

18

2

3

1

12

3

8

Circles

21

2

4

1

14

4

9

Conic sections

34

4

4

1

25

4

10

Binomial theorem

33

2

3

1

27

3

11

Functions, Limits and Continuity

49

4

4

1

40

4

12

Differentiability and differentiation

19

1

4

1

13

4

13

Application of derivatives

33

1

3

1

28

3

14

Indefinite integration

10

1

3

1

5

3

15

Definite integration

10

1

3

1

5

3

16

Area under the curve

19

1

5

1

12

5

17

Differential equations

14

1

4

1

8

4

18

Determinants

23

1

5

1

16

5

19

Matrices

11

1

2

1

7

2

20

Probability

16

1

4

1

10

4

21

Vectors

13

1

3

1

8

3

22

Three dimensional geometry

10

2

2

1

5

2

Total

446

34

65

21

326

66

Physics

1

Units, dimensions, vectors and calculus

15

2

2.5

0.5

10

2

2

Kinematics

13

3

2.5

0.5

7

3

3

Laws of motion

18

2

2.5

0.5

13

2

4

Work, Power and Energy

17

2

2.5

0.5

12

2

5

Center of mass, linear momentum, collision

28

4

3

1

20

4

6

Rotational dynamics

33

4

3

1

25

4

7

Elasticity, fluid dynamics and properties of matter

35

4

3

1

27

4

8

Gravitation

16

2

1.5

0.5

12

2

9

Simple Harmonic Motion

21

3

2.5

0.5

15

3

10

Wave motion

23

4

2.5

0.5

16

4

11

Heat and Thermodynamics

48

5

5.5

2.5

35

5

12

Electrostatics

45

5

3.5

1.5

35

7

13

Electric current and resistance

28

4

3

1

20

4

14

Magnetism

27

4

2

1

20

4

15

Electromagnetic Induction and AC

18

3

2

1

12

3

16

Geometrical Optics

21

4

2

1

14

4

17

Wave Optics

18

4

2

1

11

4

18

Modern Physics

18

5

2

1

10

5

Total

442

64

47.5

16.5

314

66

Chemistry

1

Basic concepts of chemistry

18

3

2.5

0.5

12

2

2

Structure of atom

15.5

3

2.5

0

10

2

3

Periodic properties

10

3

1

6

2

4

Gas laws

21

4

2.5

0.5

14

3

5

Chemical bonding

15

3

2

10

2

6

Chemical energetics

18

3

2.5

0.5

12

2

7

Chemical equilibrium

20

4

1.5

0.5

14

3

8

Ionic equilibrium

23

4

1.5

0.5

17

3

9

Redox reactions

16

3

2.5

0.5

10

2

10

General organic chemistry

29

5

1.5

0.5

22

4

11

Hydrocarbons

16

4

12

3

12

Alcohols and ethers

13

3

10

2

13

Alkyl and aryl halides

13

5

8

4

14

Solutions

26

3

2.5

0.5

20

3

15

Solid state

21

3

2.5

0.5

15

2

16

Chemical kinetics

20

3

2.5

0.5

14

2

17

Electrochemistry

25.5

3

2.5

20

2

18

Nuclear chemistry

14.5

3

1.5

10

2

19

Functional groups containing nitrogen

14

4

10

3

20

Aldehydes and ketones

14

4

10

3

21

Carboxylic acids and their derivatives

19

4

15

3

22

s-Block elements

17

5

1.5

0.5

10

4

23

p-Block elements

24

5

1.5

0.5

17

4

24

d-Block elements

19

5

1.5

0.5

12

4

25

Metallurgy

19

5

1.5

0.5

12

4

26

Qualitative salt analysis

19

5

1.5

0.5

12

4

27

Coordination compounds

15

5

1.5

0.5

8

4

Total

494.5

104

40.5

8

342

78

Chapter tests

210

Full length tests

120

at least 20 tests of various formats, of 6 hrs each
Self assessment

30

Revision / other material

60

Total Time (Required)

1802.5

This is just a recommendation. Students can make changes to the study plan based on their proficiency in the subjects. The actual time spent by the student can vary by 10% – 15% depending on the student’s personal style of study. Please consider that the time given here is the minimum that a student needs to spend. The total time spent in studying for IITJEE across 2 years should not be less than 10% of the given.

Tools for measuring IIT JEE preparation: Self Assessment

Monday, November 16th, 2009 by admin

Self Assessment: Assess and mark yourself on a scale of 1 to 5 on your level of preparedness for each topic, where 5 is very good and 1 is very bad

Very Good

Good

Ok

Bad

Very Bad

5

4

3

2

1

You should give yourself a score of 5 when you are among the top 5% in your peer group.

You should give yourself a score of 1 when you are among the bottom 50% in your peer group.

S. No. Chemistry Rate Mathematics Rate Physics Rate
1 Basic concepts of chemistry Complex numbers Units, dimensions, vectors and calculus
2 Structure of atom Quadratic equations Kinematics
3 Periodic properties Logarithms Laws of motion
4 Gas laws Progressions Work, Power and Energy
5 Chemical bonding Permutations and combinations Center of mass, linear momentum, collision
6 Chemical energetics Trigonometry Rotational dynamics
7 Chemical equilibrium Straight lines Elasticity, fluid dynamics and properties of matter
8 Ionic equilibrium Circles Gravitation
9 Redox reactions Conic sections Simple Harmonic Motion
10 General organic chemistry Binomial theorem Wave motion
11 Hydrocarbons Functions, Limits and Continuity Heat and Thermodynamics
12 Alcohols and ethers Differentiability and differentiation Electrostatics
13 Alkyl and aryl halides Application of derivatives Electric current and resistance
14 Solutions Indefinite integration Magnetism
15 Solid state Definite integration Electromagnetic Induction and AC
16 Chemical kinetics Area under the curve Geometrical Optics
17 Electrochemistry Differential equations Wave Optics
18 Nuclear chemistry Determinants Modern Physics
19 Functional groups containing nitrogen Matrices
20 Aldehydes and ketones Probability
21 Carboxylic acids and their derivatives Vectors
22 s-Block elements Three dimensional geometry
23 p-Block elements
24 d-Block elements
25 Metallurgy
26 Qualitative salt analysis
27 Coordination compounds

In order to get a good rank in IITJEE, you should target a score of 5 in every topic.

You may notice that the topics where you have scored 3 or less are the ones where you have not completed the activities as per the plan.

Prepare a new plan to study the topics, where you have scored 3 or less. Identify sub-topics, concepts which are causing problems.

Tools for measuring IIT JEE preparation: Activity tracking checklist

Monday, November 16th, 2009 by admin

After the planning has been done, we should keep a track of the work done.

Measuring our work in this manner will give us a sense of achievement on a regular basis. This will also give us a continuous view of the work that is remaining.

We have pasted, for the benefit of the students, a saI didmple checklist or activity trakcer.

Students realize, after filling this table that, the topics where they are weak belong to the category where the required activities have not been done.

Activity tracker: Please put a tick mark (?) in front of all the activities you have completed.

Reading from text book Power Coaching Theory Solved examples Exercises Chapter Tests
Mathematics

1

Complex numbers

2

Quadratic equations

3

Logarithms

4

Progressions

5

Permutations and combinations

6

Trigonometry

7

Straight lines

8

Circles

9

Conic sections

10

Binomial theorem

11

Functions, Limits and Continuity

12

Differentiability and differentiation

13

Application of derivatives

14

Indefinite integration

15

Definite integration

16

Area under the curve

17

Differential equations

18

Determinants

19

Matrices

20

Probability

21

Vectors

22

Three dimensional geometry

Physics

1

Units, dimensions, vectors and calculus

2

Kinematics

3

Laws of motion

4

Work, Power and Energy

5

Center of mass, linear momentum, collision

6

Rotational dynamics

7

Elasticity, fluid dynamics and properties of matter

8

Gravitation

9

Simple Harmonic Motion

10

Wave motion

11

Heat and Thermodynamics

12

Electrostatics

13

Electric current and resistance

14

Magnetism

15

Electromagnetic Induction and AC

16

Geometrical Optics

17

Wave Optics

18

Modern Physics

Chemistry

1

Basic concepts of chemistry

2

Structure of atom

3

Periodic properties

4

Gas laws

5

Chemical bonding

6

Chemical energetics

7

Chemical equilibrium

8

Ionic equilibrium

9

Redox reactions

10

General organic chemistry

11

Hydrocarbons

12

Alcohols and ethers

13

Alkyl and aryl halides

14

Solutions

15

Solid state

16

Chemical kinetics

17

Electrochemistry

18

Nuclear chemistry

19

Functional groups containing nitrogen

20

Aldehydes and ketones

21

Carboxylic acids and their derivatives

22

s-Block elements

23

p-Block elements

24

d-Block elements

25

Metallurgy

26

Qualitative salt analysis

27

Coordination compounds

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