This week, Knowledge catches up with R. L. Trikha, Director – FIITJEE on several issues ranging from intelligence quotients of students to problem solving, coaching for entrance exams and much more
Why is it important for students to enhance their IQ at a young age?
IQ can’t be taught but can be cultivated by following structured and regular activities that aim to build a high level intelligence for a student. By focusing more on the learning attitude vis-à-vis sheer grade improvement, students at young age are more adaptable and can imbibe conceptual knowledge of science, mathematics and other fields by properly analysing and understanding the day-to-day occurrences and phenomena from fundamental principles. Developing a thoughtful, analytical and scientific approach at a young age enables students to naturally raise their IQ level without stress of fear or failure in appearing for various competitive examination. Incorporating a habit of logical and streamlined thinking helps a long way in building a student’s psyche rather than merely reading any material that comes their way.
What is the ideal way in which students should approach any problem?
Ideal way to approach a problem is to solve it from initial/fundamental principles. After solving it by one method, student should try to solve it by alternative methods. When student is able to trigger parallel thinking processes, no problem is new for him/her. With practice, student will be able to crack any problem using reason & intuition.
What are the qualities and abilities needed for a student to attempt the JEE or an Olympiad? Can these abilities be developed over a period of time?
Students should understand that there is no substitute for hard work and determination. Working hard makes you smarter and regular practice helps students develop deep conceptual understanding and analytical reasoning. Brushing up on fundamentals is extremely necessary and students should learn to apply concepts in day to day problems. By taking quizzes and mock tests, at regular intervals, speed, accuracy and examination temperament should be cultivated. Completing all answers in the allotted time frame can be possible only by practicing from previous sample papers and timing yourself as you take them. Understand on how fast you need to work to answer every question that has a chance of increasing your score. This practice is very helpful and these abilities can definitely be developed over a period of time with constant training, focus and determination. This is the reason that we encourage children to start early.
Parents with foresight can incorporate analytical, logical and stream line thinking skill in their children. Activities like analyzing charts and graphs, solving difficult mathematical quizzes and puzzles, crosswords, questions involving logic etc. are all sources of developing application methods and skills.
What is the edge a student will have over other students once he is trained for the JEE or any other competitive exam?
Nowadays, any prestigious competitive examination is more of a rejection rather than selection. The number of aspirants is far more than the number of openings/ seats available. In the later stage of a merit list, even one mark can make a difference. However, students who have walked through the fire of preparation with the right examination temperament and skills to answer with speed and accuracy, definitely have winning edge over others. Our simple methodology developed by a pragmatic and scientific approach is followed in our classroom and school programmes for IIT-JEE preparation helps students imbibe the fundamental concepts of Science and Maths and enables them in parallel thinking process. Training makes them expert in creatively resolving complex problems and significantly raisingtheir IQ level with which they can crack any competitive exam and outshine others.
Do you have any advice for those thousands of students who study hard and prepare for the JEE but miss the mark and do not get admission to any of the IITs?
Let them not lose hope. They have a chance to qualify for around top 20,000 seats in NITs/ IIITs/ CFTIs if they have done well in JEE Main and have scored good marks in class 12. In case their desire of joining IITs is very keen, then to fulfil their dream if they have one more chance left, then with focused and intense preparation they may think of re-appearing in the next year. They have a third option of joining one of the top universities in the US if they have resources.
How do you train the students to understand that even though competition is tough, other things except marks are also important?
We at FIITJEE believe in over-all personality development of students. Students learn to tackle the problems of subjects in a way that they are able to tackle equally the problems of life. We help them to become better citizens with high moral values, strength of character, positivity and optimism. They imbibe the gospel in letter and sprit. It is the attitude, not aptitude, which determines your altitude.
How can we motivate students to focus on smart learning and knowledge rather than just on marks?
For all round success in life, smart learning and knowledge are enablers since role of marks scored by stroke of luck through rota learning is over after you enter the institute. A student must have good communication skills, interpersonal skills with balanced development of IQ, emotional quotient (EQ) and success (spiritual) quotient (SQ) to be successful in all walks of life including academics. There is no better way to learn something than simply trying it, so experiment and observe. If one way didn’t work, try another one. Of course, sometimes many lessons have to be taken before something is mastered. Smart learners possess that spark of curiosity and develop good study skills and learning strategies that keep their motivation high and help them achieve their goals much more easily and more efficiently.
What message do you have for students who do not have the means to study professionally but are still sincere?
Where there is a will, there is a way. FIITJEE has always taken this kind of social initiatives as a society-conscious organization to support the economically weaker students with scholarships and grants to excel in their performance in IITJEE and various other engineering entrance exams.Our management support these poor meritorious students in their preparation for admissions to the IITs by awarding 100% scholarships on the course fee as well as 100% tuition waiver.
