Students should understand the concept of subjects when preparing for exams: experts

Students want ready-made notes and study material and expect instant results. So inputs are fewer, hard work is less and no efforts are made to understand a particular topic in detail.

That is the denouncement of academic experts in the city, analysing examination preparation trends, ahead of the college exam season.

Professors from city colleges point out that students should understand the base, or the concept, of different subjects when preparing for exams, rather than just memorising the information.

Attendance of lectures and daily study are the other must-dos listen, to score well in the exams.

Currently, the higher secondary certificate (HSC) and secondary school certificate (SSC) board exams are going on and will end on March 22, while practical and viva exams are underway different departments of the Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) and other colleges.

Sudhir Ujlambkar, head of the chemistry department, Modern College, says, or the last 38 years I am teaching and I have seen a significant change in study patterns. Today, everyone wants ready-made notes, study material and instant results. So, inputs are less, hard work is not there and no efforts are taken to learn or understand the concept.

“I would advise students that they should plan a study timetable and accordingly work towards their goal,” Ujlambkar says.

Speaking about different distractions which students face during exams, Ujlambkar adds, “There are many distractions like mobile phones and different electronic gadgets that hamper the study time of students. During the exam period students just memorise subjects, but they do not understand the concept in detail. So, during the practical exams, students conduct experiments, but when detailed questions are asked they fail to answer them.”

“it is necessary to understand the base, or concept of the subject. After students understand the concept properly they can answer the questions in their own words,” SAYS Ujjwala Khare, associate professor and head of geography department at Nowrosjee Wadia College

Khare also points out that preparation for exams should be done daily and not just prior to the exams. “Students should be regular for lectures and study daily, not just before or during the exams,” says Khare.

Dr Vilas Kharat, senior professor at the department of Mathematics and coordinator for the advance studies centre at Savitribai Phule Pune University, says, “Though students study during the year, revision at the end is necessary.”

“Most of the times, students study individually or in libraries alone, but I would suggest that there should be a group discussion on different subjects which will help students and give them new ideas while answering the exam,” says Kharat.

“A student will pass the exam by studying individually, but what inputs s/he get from a group discussion can help him/her in the future too,” he adds.