CET, or Common Entrance Test, is a computer-based, state-level entrance examination comprising multiple-choice, objective-type question. Candidates who clear the CET examination 2024 will be eligible for admission to B.Tech and B.Pharma courses offered at varied colleges across Maharashtra. Besides hard work, the best exam strategy can help candidates with last-minute preparation for the exam. Stay calm and focused to employ smart strategies to your advantage.
Also, use the tips below to narrow your preparation to specific key points and attain good scores in the CET examination.
Table Of Contents
- Prioritise Key Topics
- Effective Revision Strategies
- Time Management
- Mock Tests and Past Papers
- Health and Wellness
Prioritise Key Topics
Take up subject-wise preparation and focus on high-weightage or high-yield topics without neglecting the less important ones. Cover all topics thoroughly because the exam might test you in unexpected areas within each section.
Your strategic study plan must highlight the most important topics to be covered during the preparation and work on them in the first 15 days of your last minute CET preparation. Allow 2 hours for each topic to gain accuracy and speed. Though there’s no negative marking in the examination, it would be advantageous to focus and study only the high-scoring topics.
Your concepts should be crystal clear to answer questions about physics, chemistry, and mathematics. Therefore, whenever you take up a topic for study, go through its theory thoroughly and then go through solved examples to understand how concepts have been used. You can work on the formula-based questions and then use the trickier numerical ones.
You can also memorise formulas in all three subjects to leave no stone unturned in grabbing success in the examination. Focus on your strong areas and make them stronger by working on them and ensuring you make the least mistakes in answering questions from such areas. Do not start preparing new topics at the last minute because it may confuse you and waste your time doing nothing but just procrastinating.
Effective Revision Strategies
Regular revision is one of the most important aspects of last minute CET preparation, as it can help you remember formulas and concepts studied earlier. Revise the entire syllabus at least once before the examination. Cover the topics within the CET syllabus on a priority basis, take up one topic at a time, work on it and then go for the next topic.
Remember, 20% of the questions asked in the CET examination are from the 11th standard Maharashtra Board syllabus. Though the weightage of these questions may be less, scoring well in them may improve your chances of admission into your dream institute.
Check the official CET brochure to see which Class 11 chapters are included and revise them at least once. However, if you do not have much time in hand, focus on memorising key points and important formulae from the included class 11 chapters.
Practice effective learning methods, like solving previous year’s papers and taking mock tests to get crucial insights into the CET examination pattern. Besides this, such learning and practice methods can also help you grasp important topics.
Once you have thoroughly revised the chapters from Class 11 and Class 12 of Maharashtra Board, it’s time for you to focus on practising application-based, higher-level questions. Use quick revision tips and smart revision techniques, like lists of important formulas, mind maps and shortcuts, to gain success from your last minute CET preparation.
Create quick revision notes or summaries of the topics you have already covered. This way, you won’t have to spend time understanding the topics you have already revised. Ensure your short notes contain all theorems, formulas and important terms you must remember during the examination.
A week before the examination, focus on the revision of these important notes. Also focus on revising the topics that carry more weightage. Remember, notes created at the time of preparation will be your best tool in recapping important stuff from all the topics you need to cover. Since you are preparing in the last minute, it is time to fine-tune things instead of going into the details.
Time Management
Based on the CET examination syllabus, prepare a study schedule featuring the overall strategy to cover all the crucial topics, taking mock tests and regular revisions. Proper time allocation is important, and understand the importance of balancing study and rest.
During the final days of preparation, allocate an equal amount of time for each section regularly so you can cover all the topics equally without missing out on anything.
Manage time in such a way that you attempt all 150 questions in the examination within 180 minutes. But make sure that your accuracy is not impacted. Create a day-wise revision plan for each section of the CET examination because last-minute revision can help you score well in the final paper.
Avoid spending unnecessary time on questions you are not prepared for, as this may lead to nothing but stress. Simulate an actual exam environment through mock tests and practice time management under pressure.
Mock Tests and Past Papers
Practice examinations and papers play an important role in helping you with your last-minute CET preparation. They increase your speed and help with time management. Practice tests and past paper analyses will help you understand your preparation level since they are based on the examination pattern.
First, gather all practice papers in one place and keep practising them one by one every day to build speed and accuracy. Conversely, regularly sitting for mock tests will give you a clear idea of the actual exam environment and scenario so you do not become nervous on the examination day.
Practice past year CET papers within the same time allotted for the exam, as this will help you understand your preparation level and the areas where you need to work harder to increase your score.
Attempt as many mock tests as possible during your last-minute preparation to get a clear idea of the paper pattern and the time you spend solving each section of the exam. Analysing previous year's questions can also help you pinpoint specific question formats and frequently tested topics, letting you customise your preparation accordingly.
Health and Wellness
Pay attention to staying healthy when preparing for CET at the last minute. Eat healthily during the examination season and sleep well to be fresh enough to retain your preparation the next day. Always stay motivated to bring out the best in yourself, and that’s possible only when you eat healthy and think healthy.
Do not make drastic changes to your routine during CET exam preparation. Eating fast food, not getting enough sleep, and skipping meals may risk your health. Give in your 100% to last-minute CET preparation, but not at the cost of your health and well-being.
When you are all set to appear for the examination, ensure keeping away from negative forces like stress and tension that may overpower you at this stage. Make a study plan that gives you sufficient scope to relax and unwind. Remain cool and calm, believe in yourself and do what you like to do when taking small breaks during your revision. This may include listening to your favourite music, meeting friends, socialising or going for a morning walk.
Conclusion
CET exam success is vital to your academic career as it decides the college where you can continue your studies. So, the final advice would be to study with sincerity and determination. Many students prepare for this examination every year, but you must not worry about what they are doing to achieve success. Instead, stay motivated and compete with yourself to improve your performance in the exam. For further help, contact Giraffe Learning, which offers top-level CET coaching.
