What does it take to be a true engineer?

Engineering is a challenging field. Ramesh Batlish offers tips on how to prepare better for the upcoming, nation-wide entrance tests.

Every year, lakhs of students appear for the engineering entrance exams, be it AIEEE or IIT-JEE. Class 12 students, around this time of the year, are busy revising their syllabus for the Boards that began in March, and are eager to achieve their life-long dreams and aims to enter the best college and university to groom and write their future.

Engineering as a career has attracted the student fraternity of the country in a big way and a large number of aspirants taking the engineering exams is a proof of this rise in demand. Engineering is a multi-disciplined field with new disciplines and branches being added with the advancement of science and technology.

The rat race of “being the best” has made students cross their own bar. They are well aware that clearing these entrances is not a cake walk. Every student who wants to be an engineer dreams of pursing the degree from IIT.

But it is very important to understand that preparation for IIT Entrance Examination (IIT-JEE) requires rigorous hard work as competition for the limited seats at the prestigious IITs is increasing year on year. Students start preparing as early as Class 9 itself.

The All India Engineering /Architecture Entrance Examinations (AIEEE) is the largest entrance examination in the world. It is the exam for admission to engineering or architecture undergraduate courses in India.

Engineering is amongst the few professions where creativity and ingenuity knows no bounds. Moreover, if you are the one among those looking for challenging opportunities than engineering is the ideal profession to opt for.

As a profession, it offers a wide range of career possibilities. From the design of fighter planes to that of pacemakers for hearts from boring holes deep in the earth for the petrochemicals to stepping on Mars, engineers play a pivotal role.

It is important to know that candidates who are giving their final examinations of Class 12 in 2012 are eligible to appear twice for the Joint Entrance Exam in consecutive years. Candidates who have passed Class 12 from a recognised Board are also eligible to sit for the exam. Here are some tips on how to crack the exam:
It is advisable to stay focused and maintain a positive attitude. Fretting over the exam will not be helpful; You will only be wasting your time.

It is very important to develop speed.

Do not overstress yourself, it is important to sleep five to six hours every night, especially three-four days before the exam to keep you physically and mentally fit. Short naps also help to regain freshness. Students should avoid over-sleeping during the day.

It is important to focus on weak areas and improve your strength with concepts. Your mantra should be quality of time and not the quantity.

This year, the IIT-JEE exam and AIEEE is slated for April 8 and April 29, 2012 respectively.  If you aspire to land a top rank in an esteemed university, then this is the right time to brush up your fundamentals skills and re-energise yourself for D-day!

The advent of globalisation and liberalisation in the early 90s has brought in a revolutionary change. Engineers have the ability to bring about an impactful change. They can bring blueprints alive. They use a barren land as a canvas and spill colours to make a new painting in the name of invention and technology.

(The writer is Head of FIIT-JEE, Noida.)