Everyone studies hard for matric and FSc exams but few pay attention to the entry test preparation required for entry tests of universities. Students plan the process without a clear understanding of their career goals, type of tests, syllabus and dates, marking and weightage. These mistakes can easily ruin a student’s chance at joining a career of choice.
We recommend that a well thought out plan for test preparation should be in place to minimize the risk of mistakes.
Let’s take a look at how students can avoid these mistakes by using test preparation strategies.
Mistake #1 Lack of information about entry tests
Students need to know that universities have different tests for undergraduate admissions:
| Universities | Test name | Test conducted by |
| Medical and dental colleges (all provinces except KPK) | MDCAT | UHS |
| KPK medical colleges | ETEA MDCAT | ETEA |
| Army medical and dental colleges | NUMS (NET 1 and NET 2) | NTS |
| KCU, QAU, FAST and over 30 universities | NTS | NTS |
| NUST | NET/SAT | NUST |
| UET, COMSATS, CECOS and others | ECAT | UET |
| PIEAS | PIEAS test | PIEAS |
| GIKI | GIKI test/SAT II | GIKI/College Board |
| PAF Aeronautical | PAF entry test | PAF |
| LUMS | LCAT/SAT I | LUMS/College Board |
| IBA | IBA test/SAT I/SAT II | IBA/College Board |
Once the students have understood the test required for their desired university, it is time to plan the test. But first, let’s read about the mistake students make while planning their test.
Mistake #2 Over planning the entry test
It is understood that everyone gets excited about entering a university and starting a career. However, students who tend to over plan the entrance exam want to study FSC/A Level alongside test preparation.
For these students, it means juggling two difficult tasks at the same time. The MCQs and paper preparation of FSc/A Level is different from the entry test requirements. As a result, students not only become confused between different patterns, they are unable to focus on one task dedicatedly.
You will find several academies offering entry test preparation even before FSc/A Level final exams. Our recommendation is to avoid such possibilities and focus on the content of FSc/A Level first. Once you have mastered the concepts, it will help you in the entry test as well. Join a focused and experienced academy afterwards.
Note that all entry tests in Pakistan are held after the final exams.
If you are planning to take SAT I or SAT II (which can be registered for and taken any time because it is conducted by College Board, USA), just to see your performance before it’s needed, you may be willing to invest $49 more than required.
However, do note that if you haven’t attended an academy or have no guidance about SAT tests then you may actually need more than one try before you score well. So, timing and planning SATs may be different from other tests but the goal is the same: Do not compromise your FSc marks or A Level grades.
Mistake #3 Lack of information about university programs
Next problem is students’ general lack of information about university programs. Not all students are privileged to have a school counselor or academic advisors. Therefore, students tend to pick any college randomly without figuring out the differences between programs.
Therefore, students are encouraged to thoroughly explore the websites of universities, visit any campuses if they like, and write or talk to the admission advisor at the universities.
Here is a list of top medical colleges in Pakistan:
- King Edward Medical University, Lahore (KEMU)
- Fatima Jinnah Medical College, Lahore (FJMC)
- Allama Iqbal Medical College, Lahore
- Rawalpindi Medical College, Rawalpindi
- Nishtar Medical College, Multan
- University Of Health Sciences, Lahore
Here is a list of top engineering colleges in Pakistan:
- University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore and Taxila (UET)
- Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute Of Engineering Sciences Technology, Swabi (GIKI)
- Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS)
- National University of Sciences (NUST)
Here is a list of universities with outstanding social sciences or liberal arts colleges
- Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS)
- Institute of Business Administration, Karachi (IBA)
- Habib University, Karachi
Similarly, you may want to research to find the best business and law schools. These lists are not exhaustive, but give you an idea of doing your own research, finding and evaluating the program you really want to study.
Mistake #4 Lack of information about financial aid
University education comes with a price tag. Sometimes we don’t want to apply to well known universities thinking that they must be out of our reach. However, this is simply a mistake of not exploring your funding options.
If a program appeals to you at a university but is expensive to look at, you still can get in! It is just a matter of finding out the right financial aid programs at a university.
Also, students who come from small towns and villages are hesitant to apply to bigger universities or even higher education.
This can easily change with a clear understanding that Pakistan isn’t just a handful of big cities and you can very well be a part of any university if you want to. Don’t underestimate yourself because good universities all around the world would willingly give you admission if you are capable and hardworking. You just need to know your options.
You can begin by exploring, then finding out the requirements to be eligible for financial aid, and finally just take the steps to get in.
Mistake #5 Lack of belief in one’s self
This one is linked to the previous one: If you have belief in yourself that you deserve the best university in the country, you are more likely to increase your efforts and chances. Similarly, many students don’t want to go to a university where their friends aren’t going.
These two potential issues can greatly hinder your personal progress because eventually friends do start living their own lives, go for post-graduate programs across the world, start careers and so on. Therefore, now is the time to figure out your own space, belief, and needs.
Mistake #6 The problem with distractions
This one is simple to read and understand, still the majority of students fail in their entry tests because they haven’t been paying enough attention to studies. Students tend to get easily distracted after appearing for challenging FSc/A Level exams.
One common and prominent feature of high achievers is their ability to block out distractions, such as ringing phones, beeping notifications, emails, and everything social.
The only practical solution is to put a stop to distractions before you start studying. Estimate a time of around 2 hours before allowing yourself to see your phone. Walk or stretch after 60 minutes and keep going.
Studying for long hours is not hard. It just requires your determination to stay away from distractions, which may also include binge eating. However, once the students see the real output in their marks, it becomes easy to do this.
Let’s put this to practice to see how efficient this method really is!
Mistake #7 Not knowing the entry test preparation material
As observed earlier, entry tests take place a month or two after the annual exams. Many students are under the impression that they will be tested on the FSc syllabus. However, that is not the case for every test.
For instance, you may see the same FSc topics in MDCAT and ECAT, but NET, GIKI and LCAT tests, and SATs are based on different test preparation material.
Students should download the latest syllabus, contact the test conducting institutions, and be prepared for study for a different syllabus.
Mistake #8 Not solving practice tests with timing
Entry test experts cannot emphasize enough on this one: Students need to attempt the practice tests using real timing. Many students just skim through the practice tests and don’t actually solve them. Shortcuts or mental solving won’t work because you need to imitate a real pressure situation with timing yourself.
Similarly, all entry tests are fast paced and no calculator usage is allowed. Students should practice the tests without a calculator as well.
If you follow the timing advice, you will feel very confident and reassured that you will not lose marks because of bad timing. If you are reappearing for an entry test, use this tip next time and compare your results!
Mistake #9 Not attempting sample computer based tests
Many institutes ask their applicants to appear in computer based tests. Students usually come out of the exam center confused and flustered. Reason is very simple: You need to acclimatize yourself (or get used to) with the new conditions and demands of a computer based test.
Paper based tests just “feel different” from computer based ones. Using this simple tip, you increase your chances to stay calm and composed in your test.
Mistake #10 Not checking test preparation online
Not everyone has access to world class academies with a genuine intent. Therefore, many students are lost while looking for reliable academies and advice. Students also tend to waste time looking for resources such as guides and notes.
The solution is not in guides, notes, and shortcuts, rather it lies in your hard work. Entry tests don’t test on highlighted or important topics only. Therefore, students need to prepare from textbooks or any test specific booklets. Need to know more test preparation strategies? You can have the best teachers instruct you how to get a good aggregate on your tests. Join test preparation online at Noon Academy today and put all the worries behind.