Speed and Accuracy are the two key components which every aspirant aims to master over the course of their preparation. However, it is only the gameplay of time that anyone cant gain the mastery of them. “How do I increase my speed? I do get the answers but, late.” remains the query for many.
The IPMAT exam gives you a maximum of 2 minutes per question irrespective of difficulty. Hence, time management is quintessential. To save time for the tougher questions, one has to be able to solve the easier ones as quickly as possible. Answering them with the greatest accuracy is also a skill to be mastered simultaneously. The following is the roadmap to achieving these goals:
- Initial stages of preparation- In the initial stages, it is important to get the concepts right, from the foundation on. The primary goal now is to get the answer right irrespective of the time. It is also important to remain consistent and keep solving as many questions as possible to get accustomed to every type. Solve till the time you can map the next step towards the solution, once you see the question. Right or wrong, just solve. But also make sure that you maintain an error log (it could be as simple as circling the question numbers you make mistakes upon to the most complicated of an excel sheet containing the list). As soon as you solve a bunch of questions and correct them (do not check the solution for each question as you solve, do them in a pack and then check for the answers. Leave the ones which you don’t know and enter them into the error log), check for the mistakes in the wrong ones and make a note as to whether it is a conceptual or a calculation mistake. Conceptual mistakes should be taken seriously. Calculations can be dealt with practice.
- After completion of the syllabus- Once you are done with at least 60 to 70 % of the syllabus, the goal now shifts to timing your attempts. Try to get to the time limit of 2 minutes per question. MAke sure you complete the easier ones within 45 seconds to add on time to the tougher ones.
- Mock practice and analysis- Macks form an integral IPMAT preparation. They help you understand where you stand and where you ought to go. They provide you with direction and help you to prepare a roadmap towards a goal. The time tested practice and strategies can now be put to trial using the mocks. You can know which kind of questions slow you down and which are your strengths. Based on this analysis, you could then know and decide your pace in the main exam. Toggling between the right kind of questions is important as well. Remember, you do not have to attempt all the questions, you just need your accuracy to be its best form.
The same question paper can be solved by many more aspirants when given at least 10 minutes more. Hence, all the skill game lies in honing you accuracy with speed.
Best of luck buddies!
The clock is ticking…