What is on the entrance exam for the selective enrollment?

After leaving a job, and giving many entrance exams with no success. I have got another entrance exam in 2 months time in which I have to perform. What should I do to excel in my next entrance exam and be positive in my life?

• I left my job because I never liked it. The people around me always kept questioning me and my family on why did I do so and also keep judging me. My family, though supportive, loses it sometimes, as do I. I am trying a lot and the path ahead looks very difficult. What should I do?

• Answer:

  Entrance exams require more of skill and less of intelligence (at least in India). You need to assess the following honestly : Do you answer few questions on gut feeling just to get past the cut off ? If yes, then don't do so. Answer only those which are answered by knowledge. I used to answer only those I knew by practice or previous knowledge. Don't bet. Do you avoid solving previous year question papers? In India there is pattern of questions in every examination. If you literally go by syllabus, you might avoid hot topics. Do you panic before exams ? Everyone is nervous but panicking may lead you under-performing. I used to watch comic movies an evening before exam, have light dinner & sleep like pigs. Do you take long route ? I used to memorise formula, have some memory tricks , picturise dates etc. Not that I could not derive them, but it saved time. If you are good with above , then buddy it's been your hard luck. There is no way you could correct it. But there is hope yet if you have not got past the age/attempt limit. I totally understand your agony. You have things at stake and you are obviously worried. This worry is actually eating you out. People are quintessential deterrent. They will impede whatever your decision is. If you are trying to take a different turn then they will beat **** out of you. But you know what is great ? You hated your job & decided to do something about it. People stay slave to their jobs and do not budge. It great too that your family is supportive. They however lose the nerve few times , but they are people too ! I believe that dream is a personal thing & only you can take the pain to live it. I tried thrice for International Chemistry Olympiad but never made up to Athens. Though I have been in cream of students always but my family & all people were so disappointed in me as if I have aborted their child ! Path is always difficult , otherwise many would have traversed it. So stick tight. I too disliked what I was doing. It was great , difficult to achieve blah blah but I left because I was not happy. People have been cynical. They say that I have lost my mind, worn out early or exhausted (as if my so called intelligence was non-renewable resource). But then I am good. It is difficult but then how would I have realised if I had not done it.