How We Prepared For TISSNET - TISSNET Topper Series #3

How much time did you devote to preparation on a regular basis?
30 minutes for GK and 3-4 hours for CAT prep

What according to you are 2 DO's and 2 DON'Ts of TISSNET preparation?

DOs: Practice mocks and past year papers to get an idea of the level of questions. Focus on cracking more number of questions correctly.
DON'Ts: Do not compromise on the speed.

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Student 14
Background: BTech in CSE, Worked as Software Application Developer at TCS for 13 months.

How did you prepare for TISSNET? According to you, what is the most important aspect of preparation?
My preparation for TISSNET comprised of building a strong foundation in basic concepts like arithmetic and geometry, reading regularly, taking sectional and full length mocks and most of all, trying to battle out procrastination by sticking to a study schedule while working full time. The most important aspect of the preparation is understanding the exam thoroughly and aligning your preparation strategy accordingly.

How many full-length mock tests did you take? What was your approach while taking mocks?
I took around 8-10 full length mocks in the last few weeks before the TISSNET. I tried to manage my time efficiently and maximize my score by answering all the difficult questions after having answered the easy ones. I recorded all my scores section-wise and did an in-depth analysis of every mock that I attempted. It helped me identify my weak areas and assess my performance accurately.

Which section was your Achilles heel? How did you overcome that?
For me, general awareness section was a tough nut to crack. I have always been a passionate reader but I realized that for improving my general knowledge only reading newspaper wasn't enough. I diversified my learning sources by following 2-3 websites for daily news, revised monthly current affairs and attempted short quizzes on different static gk topics regularly.

How much time did you devote to preparation on a regular basis?
As a working professional, I tried to utilize my travel time for reading news and giving quizzes. Besides that I devoted around 2-3 hours on weekdays and at least 4-5 hours on weekends for the preparation.

What according to you are 2 DO's and 2 DON'Ts of TISSNET preparation?
2 DOs -
1. Try to solve topic wise questions from quantitative aptitude and logical reasoning in a time-bound manner and analyze every mock exam.
2. For general awareness and verbal ability preparation just 'Read, Practice, Repeat.'

DON'Ts -
1. Don't underestimate or overestimate any section of the exam, understand your strengths and prioritize.
2. Don't follow any preparation advice blindly, understand what works best for you and then chalk out your own plan.

What would be your final advice to TISSNET 2021 Aspirants?
Focus on your strengths and use them to your advantage. Don't get overwhelmed by anything and if you ever do, remember why you embarked on this journey, it all seems difficult until it's done. So keep your cool, practice regularly and try to enjoy the process. Perseverance and hard work never go unrewarded.

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Student 15
Background: Chemical Engineer, ~3 years of experience

How did you prepare for TISSNET? According to you, what is the most important aspect of preparation?
SNAP and NMAT modules were something that helped me in TISSNET too. GK is the most crucial section of this exam.

How many full-length mock tests did you take? What was your approach while taking mocks?
I took 5 mocks. I followed the "round approach" i.e The first round for easy ones and the second for slightly difficult.

Which section was your Achilles heel? How did you overcome that?
GK was a tough spot for me. I referred to 2/3 sources for GK. Try to focus on certain topics and prepare with some strategy. One does not need to prepare everything under the sun for GK.

How much time did you devote to preparation on a regular basis?
3/4 hours(along with job)

What according to you are 2 DO's and 2 DON'Ts of TISSNET preparation?

Do's
1. Give mocks as much as you can
2. Prepare for GK daily

Don'ts
1. Verbal is easy but chances of silly mistakes are more. Don't take it lightly.

What would be your final advice to TISSNET 2021 Aspirants?
Give mocks as much as you can.

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Student 16
Background: B.Tech (EE) 2018, PEC Chandigarh, 27 months of experience

How did you prepare for TISSNET? According to you, what is the most important aspect of preparation?
I'd prepared for CAT that made Quant and VARC cakewalk. I was a regular reader of business magazines back then, that helped me with GK.

Which section was your Achilles heel? How did you overcome that?

I think TISSNET is just a filtering criteria. I did not found any section very difficult. The real battle starts after TISSNET where only the best 70 students are selected.

How much time did you devote to preparation on a regular basis?
1 month for TISS, 6 Months for CAT

What according to you are 2 DO's and 2 DON'Ts of TISSNET preparation?

Dos-
1. Try to maximize score out of 60 in Quant and VARC
2. Try to focus on current affairs part of GK, as static GK is too vast

Don'ts -
1. Don't panic, its one of the easiest competitive exam
2. Don't leave any question, as there is no negative marking

What would be your final advice to TISSNET 2021 Aspirants?
Take good rest before the exam as competitive exams are a matter of that day so give exam with a cool mindset.

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Student 17
Background: Mechanical Engineer, 5.5 Years of Experience

How did you prepare for TISSNET? According to you, what is the most important aspect of preparation?
I started 2 months before the exam by reading all the standard sources. My static GK, quant and verbal were already in good shape due to my background (engineering and civil services). I refreshed some mathematical formulas from a blog that gave tips on CAT preparation (https://thecatwriter.com/). The current affairs were covered from a TISSNET focussed compilation by GKMOJO.

How many full-length mock tests did you take? What was your approach while taking mocks?

None, but its a risky approach and I would advise aspirants to give at least a couple of mocks to familiarize themselves with the exam atmosphere and fine-tune their time management. It is a common misconception that mock tests are important to check your knowledge level against the competition but in my opinion, the best utilization of mock tests is to develop the exam-day temperament. Some of the things to sort through this process are - which section to attempt first, how much time to devote to any question, what to do if you get stuck at a question, how to stay focussed amidst distractions (yes, there will be many during the exam) and so on. Treat mock tests like TISSNET and TISSNET will feel like another mock-test. Which section was your Achilles heel? How did you overcome that?

The GA section was most challenging for me, especially the current affairs. Since, memorizing all the current affairs of past one year was very difficult, i tried to just familiarize myself with the topics. I went for the exam with this confidence that since I am very well read, anything that's difficult for me is difficult for most candidates. It helped me to confidently mark answers and not waste time in second guessing myself during the exam. The time I saved there, i utilized in maximizing my score in other sections which were my strength.

How much time did you devote to preparation on a regular basis?
5 hrs/day for two months before the exam

1. Believe in yourself - your peer group (in college or coaching or wherever) is not a fair representation of your competition. Infact, your struggle is with the question paper in front of you. Beat the question paper, you win the competition.
2. Be honest with yourself - Know where your level of preparation is in each section and allocate time accordingly. Give most amount of time to your strongest areas.
3. You don't have to know all the answers - That's the beauty of MCQ based papers. A well read person can often eliminate 2 options and even if you have no idea about the other two, there's a 50% chance of getting it right.
4. Sleep well the night before the exam. You have done all that you could. Let your instincts take over and guide you on the D-day.

All The Best!

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Student 18

Background: B.Tech Computer Science

How many full-length mock tests did you take? What was your approach while taking mocks?

I gave 6-7 mocks. While giving the mocks, identify the areas where you are weak and then work on them

Which section was your Achilles heel? How did you overcome that?
GK, Reading Newspapers, Gave Extra Mocks of GK, Joined different Telegram and Whatsapp group that helped in acing the GK parts

How much time did you devote to preparation on a regular basis?
Not any specific but yeah gave complete last month before TISSNET

What according to you are 2 DO's and 2 DON'Ts of TISSNET preparation?

Do's :
Always analyze your mocks and note the sections that you need to work on.
Self Belief, Be positive about how you have prepared
Try scoring maximum possible in English and Maths
Don'ts :
Don't overthink about What If.

What would be your final advice to TISSNET 2021 Aspirants?
Anything you did before the D-day won't matter if you canot perform on the given day. Not only prepare for the exam but also prepare about how you yourself are going to handle the pressure and adverse situations

All the best!

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