When you aspire for something, you work very hard to achieve that goal and no one can understand this better than 12th standard students who want to achieve big in their lives. The year 2020 has proven to be a real rollercoaster for students preparing for the various elite competitive exams like NEET and JEE mains in the country. The coronavirus interruption has resulted in an unprecedented disruption in the learning and education sector as countless institutes and coaching centres are witnessing an indefinite closure due to the lockdown.
Every year there are numerous government colleges and universities which conduct entrance exams for students and open doors for their dream colleges. National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) is one such entrance examination that enables a person to pursue a career in the profession of Medical Science. However, NEET 2020 examination has seen many ups and downs regarding the examination dates. The examination dates for admission into medical and dental courses were earlier scheduled on 26 July 2020. But, recently after the complaints from parents, HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ postponed the dates for NEET examination for which students have been waiting for. After this decision, there’s a sense of reassurance among students who were worried about their future. However, this year is difficult for every student.
NEET 2020: What’s new, what’s old?
There are many courses in the medical fields. Earlier, there were many exams for these different courses. But now MBBS course in AIIMS and JIPMER will be done through the NEET 2020. These national level Institutions will no longer conduct any undergraduate entrance examinations from the year 2020 onwards for AIIMS, JIPMER and PGIMER. NEET will be the only entrance exam that will be applicable for UG Medical Courses and MBBS.
There are no changes in the question paper of NEET 2020 as there are a total of 180 objective type questions of physics, chemistry and biology which includes 45 questions each in physics and chemistry and 90 questions in biology. The duration of the examination will be the same as 3 hours. Along with this, the marking scheme will remain the same as plus 4 for every correct answer and 1 for each wrong answered question. There will be no negative marking for unattended questions.
Edutech players in entrance exams
The rise of various edutech leaders has advanced a plethora of authentic and detailed learning study programmes with their online learning platforms with the objective of helping the students crack the upcoming exams. The NTA (National Training Academy) has released a subject-wise list of all the pertinent topics that are included in the syllabi for the JEE mains and NEET 2020. By collaborating with the various top names in the offline coaching, modern edu-tech purveyors are bestowing comprehensive standard quality learning material in the form of live e-classes by expert professionals, step by step solutions to complex problems, sample test papers and mock tests, etc, to the students.
The rise of ‘technology enhanced learning’ (TEL) is a vibrant testimony to the revolutionary role of technological innovation in redefining education and pedagogy. The positive aspects of the OLT (online learning technology) are transforming the very nature of academic dissemination, as online classrooms can interact and teach thousands of students in a single session compared to the offline classes which would address only about 100-400 students. It is safe to presume online learning via edu-tech platforms is not only here to stay, but is well on its way to becoming the new normal.
The umpteen numbers of advantages that online learning provides for students, simply outweigh the old brick and mortar classrooms. The pandemic has thus offered a timely opportunity to the edu-tech sector to permeate the realm of traditional realms of pedagogy and learning so as to usher a paradigm-shift in the way education is transmitted and received. A plethora of edutech platforms are advancing important lessons and preparatory material through various online digital pathways such as WhatsApp, Zoom and Google Meet to help students easily grasp even the most complex of subject matters.
The online learning players are ensuring that the students who are devising to appear for the ultra-competitive JEE mains and NEET during the time of pandemic do not suffer in the absence of physical coaching centers and are well supplemented in their learning process through the great edutech revolution.
Students who are preparing for these highly competitive exams have greatly benefited from the various state-of-the-art learning innovations that are being proffered by the various edu-tech players to heighten and strengthen the learning experience of students. These include free-of-cost registration and subscription to expansive and cutting-edge learning programmes for deserving students and providing virtual access to the expertise of adept mentors and professors for online doubt clearing sessions and other learning advancement features.
How to ace entrance exams at home
While working hard and consistent practice is a must for students, they should also be careful to not overexert their efforts and should emulate the maxim: “All work and no play, makes Jimmy a dull drag.” As the human brain can only process information up to a limit, the students should make sure that they take essential rejuvenation breaks between their study sessions to freshen up their minds.
A saturated brain cannot retain what it learns; therefore, it is prudent to devote some time for recreation and leisure activities. From taking a walk in the park, to listening to your favourite music or playing an outdoor sport, there are numerous ways students can reinvigorate their brains, every now and then. While immersing oneself totally in their studies owing to the colossal JEE mains and NEET syllabus is a desired quality in students, it is not at all wise to persist studying at the cost of neglecting the diverse physical needs of the body. Student applicants preparing for these aggressively competitive tests ought to ensure that they eat a well-balanced diet that provides them all the necessary nutrients to boost their learning and perceptive qualities of the mind. It is also important to dedicate ample time for physical exercise and workout to maintain body fitness. The long study hours should not be observed at the cost of sleep, as having a regular and healthy sleep cycle is the cornerstone to a receptive and well-functioning mind.
Anil Nagar is CEO and founder of Adda247, and Gaurav Tyagi is founder of Career Xpert.