Here are some reasons why repeaters usually score more than fresh students and some tips for fresh students to score more in MDCAT and also in other exams.
There are a lot different fields and professions for a student to choose from.Most of them are quite promising.Different students opt different professions which suit them best.Among myriads of different degrees MBBS is one.
In Pakistan MBBS is not just a degree.It is considered a symbol of prestige and honor.It's like being a doctor gives you supremacy over others.
Parents push their children into medicine (MBBS) not just because of good prospects it promises but a respect and esteem they want for their children in the "Society".(Sigh..)
Due to limited no of seats (in medical colleges) and an ever increasing population (and hence no. of candidates for test) the merit is soaring each year up and hence it's becoming more and more difficult to get admission.
So the competition has definitely increased over the past years and has been increasing continuously and rapidly.Whatever the causes of the present situation and whoever are responsible for this, the victims are the students eventually.
Locally, candidates who take MDCAT more than once are called "Repeaters" and the first time takers obviously "Fresh" candidates.
Based on my personal experiences and my observations I have cited some of the main reasons why repeaters usually score more than the fresh candidates.
Now, it does not means that fresh candidates cannot score more than repeaters.The purpose of writing this blog is to help fresh candidates to avoid basic mistakes which are usually expected and score more in MDCAT just like repeaters.
Following are the reasons why Repeaters usually score more than Fresh candidates;
1. Out of Syllabus Study
MDCAT is something different from F.Sc and matric. It requires completely different approach towards studies.That's why they require the right guidance.But in most cases that's not enough because students have been studying in one pattern for almost 10 years, they cannot easily change it.
Despite the advice and guidelines of teachers most of (Fresh) students do not confine them to syllabus, they dig into different and extra topics and study those details and information which is not actually needed, thinking that it might help them in the test.
"What if a question from this topic comes in test since it is indirectly related to the main topic?"This is how fresh students usually think.
Not only do they study those extra topics which are not included in the syllabus but also get into the minute details of the topics (given in syllabus).Believe me all this is useless.
I remember, I once asked a fresh student about Alpha and Beta Glucose (ref: Biology) and he came up with those kind of names I never heard in my entire life.I said; really, bro, you are here to prepare for MDCAT not for B.Sc or something.
All this extra, I may say useless study does more harm than good.It not only waste their precious time but also makes it harder for them to remember everything before test.
A unit which they can easily learn in about 30 min if studied to the point would take more than 2 hrs if they try to sneak into details.
Plus, they would not be able to remember everything for the test.After all, they are humans and human brains have it's limitations.
No matter how well someone study in 3 months if he cannot learn all syllabus before test, all his hard-work would be wasted.
On the other hand repeaters are a lot better at this.
They have experience of at least one previous test (in my case two tests.No, I have not wasted two years.I took test in 2017.20th August and 29th October).They know what kind of questions are asked and how they are strictly restricted to the syllabus.
They usually focus on the topics that are actually in the syllabus and spend their precious time and potential in learning them from the first day.
So, never study extra.Study hard.
2. Calculations
UHS prohibits the use of calculators in the test.So calculations are to be done by hand by those old school methods.
Most of the calculations are easy but some of them really prove challenging.
The only secret to calculations is practice.The more you practice calculating difficult values performing different arithmetic operations (+, - , *, / ) the more you get the hold of it.
Repeaters are quite good at it.They have a fairly more experience of calculations than fresh students.
Not only they tend to make less mistakes in calculations but also do them in less time.
Fresh students on the other hands are habitual of calculators.They do not have any previous experience.So it's quite a factor of their mistakes.
Fresh students should practice difficult calculations for not just the right answer but also to do them in short time.
3.Time Management
UHS MDCAT comprises 220 questions for which 150 minutes (2.5 hrs) time is given.There is average 40 sec for each question.
Depending on the difficulty level of the test time may or may not be short.The same time may be quite short in one test and enough in the other.
If I talk about 20th August 2017 MDCAT (Punjab), it was full of difficult calculations and other complicated conceptual questions.Time was quite short for the test.
Many students couldn't even reach the end of the test and still others left the calculation related questions which they could solve just because of shortage of time.
This is something at which every candidate appearing for the test should be good.Repeater candidates are usually better at attempting the test in time than the fresh students.
Shortage of time not only constrains students from attempting all the questions well but also exerts a stress on them which markedly decrease their efficiency and hence marks.
Student should practice to complete test in time.
4.Working under pressure
Taking test in academy is different from taking test in examination hall in real conditions.
An easy test feels quite difficult in the examination hall.Ticking clock, stress and emotions decrease the efficiency.
Keeping control over the nerves is necessary. Believe me it is as important as the study itself.If you fail to attempt your test well due to any reason all your studies and hard work would be wasted.
Repeaters are generally more good at working under pressure.They have more experience and understand it's importance.
Fresh students on the other hand, are not quite aware of it. They don't prepare themselves mentally.
Conclusion
These are the four main reasons beside studies fresh students despite of their hard work cannot score marks that they deserved.They should practice and develop these skills as I have mentioned.This would definitely help them.
Tell me in th comments if you agree.
If you liked it then please share, because sharing is caring
