Looking to crack a competitive exam? Isolation is all you need

Neeraj Bagga

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, October 9

The students aiming to crack competitive examinations to secure seats in prestigious educational institutes of the country had plenty of time on their hand amid the lockdown period. At a time when many were idling away days, this lot utilised the hours to further refine their studying rut.

Shaurya Talwar, who secured 341 All India Rank (AIR) in the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT), observed he almost doubled his time from five hours to eight and then 10 amid the incarceration. “After putting in sustained efforts daily, the study hours were not increasing due to travel time and miscellaneous works. So it was a clear-cut advantage to increase focus,” he says.

He dropped a year off after securing 11900 AIR last term. The pandemic did add to anxiety as it was postponed six times and the pattern of competitive exam was changed. “Unlike 200 marks format, this time 150 marks examination was held — heralded as the toughest in last one decade of competition’s history,” Talwar adds.

A student of commerce, he decided to do a professional course as history and politics entice him. Besides, public speaking skill is his forte and used to take part in debating competitions during school days. He is sure that this quality would come handy during his professional career as an advocate.

City lad Raghav Khullar secured 1825 AIR in JEE (Advanced). He is now weighing options to join either IIT, Hyderabad, or NIT, Trichi. Like Talwar, the lockdown period, empty of everyday blaring of horns and other such din, too proved a boon for him. However, for him no perplexity took shape even as the date of exam for the top engineering institutes of the country was postponed thrice.

“During that period I remained in touch with my teachers and friends who not only guided but also inspired me to perform well. My aim is to pursue a degree in computer science and engineering (CSE),” he talks of his life goal.

Locked in, Raghav remained stress-free all along as he spent time enjoying with his family, and of course studying. “Since the pandemic forced everyone to remain indoors, I got the chance to spend time with my family. After investing big chunk of my day in studies, I devoted the rest to my family,” he shares.