Interview with topper of GIKI Entrance Test (2016)

FUNG team approached the topper of GIKI Entry Test who got #1 merit position. He chose SMME NUST inspite of full scholarship at GIKI for four years. He told us to keep his name private so we're not sharing that and keeping him anonymous. Here's his experience of entry tests.



Q#1 How are entry tests different from regular F.Sc studies?

Although the course content of the entry tests is same as that of F.Sc but the aim of these entry tests is to gauge the concepts and understanding of the students in their course. Resultantly, the entry tests include questions and real-life problems which force the students to think out of the box and apply their theoretical knowledge to practical problems in a bigger context.  This makes entry tests a means by the universities in filtering out the students who have a strong grip on their courses as this is crucial to their foundation and success in the fields of Science and Engineering. Besides, there is a general opinion in the public that the F.Sc students are inclined towards rote learning so the entry tests are structured on questions that test their critical thinking abilities.

Q#2 How to top an entrance test?

When I prepared for the entry tests, I did not have this particular goal in mind to top an entry test but rather I aimed to fulfil the merit criteria for entrance in the field of my choice. In my opinion, a student must focus on his entry tests and give them his/her best shot, while leaving the rest to Allah.

Q#3 How can one get through entrance tests without attending preparatory school/academy?

The only way to do this is to go ‘extra mile’ while studying the F.Sc courses. By extra mile, I mean that the student must strive to ensure the clarity of his/her concepts in whatever topics he/she encounters during his/her course and try linking the new concepts to those which he/she has already studied and understanding their theoretical & practical implications. This can be achieved by practicing exercise questions and studying conceptual ideas using suitable on-line resources, once the course exercises and resources have been used fully utilised.

Q#4 Is interest more important in choosing the right field or other things?

I believe choosing a field is a turning point in one’s life especially when applying in the universities via entry tests. Hence, to make the right decision one should choose to pursue a field out of his/her interest in it before considering other factors. This is because, at the end of the day, it will be your interest and passion which will drive you through the adversities in your field when circumstances test you.

Q#5 Can you please signify the importance of morals over money in education system? 

I believe that morals are pivotal in attaining anything in the world including knowledge. In our education system, the moral obligation applies both ways: Teachers ought to impart knowledge & understanding rather than grade-oriented lessons to students whereas the students ought to sincerely respect their teachers rather than viewing them as paid workers hired to teach them. Similarly, morals also apply to the fact that how sincere a student is to his/her primary goal of attaining knowledge in the school/college.

Q#6 What are the reasons why students can't get through entrance tests? 

I believe that everyone is fully capable of clearing the entry tests but sometimes the students are unable to tap into their potentials owing to the lack of time, resources or personal problems.

Q#7 What is the significance of "Studying smarter not harder”? 

I think that this statement is the key to success in entry tests. ‘Studying Smarter not Harder’ signifies the need to understand and strengthen your
grip on the F.Sc courses by developing an in-depth and harmonic knowledge of the topics while avoiding rote learning as much as possible.

Q#8 Why did you join NUST over full time scholarship at GIKI? 

Firstly, the collaborations of NUST with international universities and academia are more notable and pronounced as compared to GIKI as is evident from the efforts of NUST in attaining Washington Accord Status.
Secondly, NUST prefers quality over quantity especially when it comes to academic courses and finances.
Last but not the least, NUST is the fastest growing hub of knowledge, information and technology in Pakistan as compared to GIKI which is not only at the far end of the country but is inaccessible to many talented students belonging to the talented yet non-elite/lower-middle class families of Pakistan