Seventeen-year old Prerna Dhangwani found no one to compare notes with after sitting the higher secondary certificate second language examination at her Andheri centre on Thursday afternoon. For, she was the only student who wrote the Sindhi language paper from there.
Her mother was relieved that Dhangwani wasn't alone in the classroom. "There were 10-15 other students appearing for languages like Gujarati and Bengali. I wanted her to study her mother tongue as her second language. So, I was worried if she will get her paper right." Like Dhangwani's mother, several anxious parents stood outside their children's examination centres.
"There are a number of second languages — Marathi, Urdu and French, among others. But, not many students take up a language like Sindhi. We had to go ahead with the examination even if only a handful of students were sitting it," said RR Bhise, secretary of the Mumbai division of the state board.
But, the strength of candidates was the least of the examination conductors' headaches. They had to accommodate students who decided to change their second language subject much after their hall tickets were issued.
A Pillai, vice principal, HR College, Churchgate, said, "For the Hindi paper, we had two to three such students. We allowed them to appear for the paper after they showed us a signed letter from their college."
Those who attempted Marathi sweated it out over the "lengthy" paper. Most such students said they could not finish the paper on time and missed out on writing 10 to 15-mark questions.
The French examination, on the other hand, was "a breeze". However, some complained of a mistake in the comprehension passage in a few sets of the paper.
But, students at a few centres in Panvel walked into the examination hall with a frown. They were made to take off their shoes and leave them outside. Supervisors reportedly told them that this was to ensure that children hiding chits inside their shoes and socks will get no opportunity to cheat.
Plan study as per chapters’ weightage
Know how much weightage is given to each chapter and study accordingly. The best way to learn definitions is by writing them again and again. Practise numerical questions as much as possible. The textbook should be your bible. You can refer to any number of guide books, but at the end of the day, stick to what the textbook says. After you're through with the revisions, solve questions papers of at least the last five years. This way you can make mental calculations of how much time you will need to spend on a particular section during the examination. You'll find a 20% similarity among the patterns of the model question papers. When solving numerical questions, draw a line on the right side of the answer sheet to do rough work. Even if your final answer is wrong, these calculations may help you get a half-mark or more. Remember not to tax the examiner.
— Lekha Pillai, teacher, Atomic Energy Central School No 4
Memorise concepts with diagrams
It is important to study technical terms, figures and concepts perfectly. The best way of committing these to memory is by learning them with diagrams. Keep the diagrams of different systems in mind and you will be able to answer questions related to different body parts, glands and the digestive system. Go only by the textbook when learning concepts. Once you're sure that you know them like the back of your hand, then refer to other books. Rote-learning will only add to the confusion. Draw diagrams whenever possible on your answer sheet. This impresses the examiner. While it is important to solve previous years' question papers, do not try to look for a pattern of repeated or important questions. Solving such model question papers will also help you manage your time well when sitting the examination. So, make sure that you practise them by sticking to the examination's duration.
— BSK Raju, principal, Atomic Energy Central School No 4
Natural vitamins work wonders
Food has a direct effect on the brain’s performance. By eating the right kind of food, your can sharpen memory, and improve concentration and emotional stability. Ensure that you have breakfast, lunch and healthy snacks.Oranges, tomatoes, guava, amla, carrots and spinach contain antioxidants like vitamins A and C, and wheat germ, groundnuts and avocado are good sources of vitamin E. Fish and spinach contain omega-3 fatty acids, which help improve the general functioning of the brain and restore memory. Lean red meat, green leafy vegetables, eggs, nuts, pulses, fortified cereals and whole grains are rich in iron, which help improve overall cognition. A common cause for declining memory is deficiency of choline. So, take foods like egg, soya bean and fish. Drink plenty of water. It keeps you alert and helps concentre. Take fruits and soothing beverages like buttermilk.
— Leena Raje, HOD, food science and nutrition, SPN Doshi Women's College, Ghatkopar
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