KOCHI: If ‘question banks’ and training academies were the sole solutions to clear competitive exams in the past, the scenario is witnessing a sea-change today. Startups and websites, catering exclusively for aspiring students, are now offering alternative models of topping tough-to-crack competitive examinations, even guaranteeing lesser effort with maximum results.
Trickyscore, started by a Kochi-based couple Divya Anil and Anil Kumar, exclusively caters for students who are sitting for the PSC exams.
“There are a large number of training institutes offering coaching. But, after much research, we realised that most of the students did not have much of a clue on what kind of syllabus to follow. They are all working very hard but are lacking focus on how much to study and the areas to cover. Only 20-30 per cent of the students know how to prepare. The rest are unsure. Through our website, TrickyScore, we wanted to provide a scientific and systematic method of smart study,” says Divya.
For this, the couple got in touch with a large number of PSC experts and professors at various institutes. “We told them to cover all areas. But, we also had a condition. The questions should be kept at a minimum, but it should be very specific so students can receive a clear picture,” Anil added.
The exams carry hundred marks each. The correct answers are provided at the end of the session. The students can also set their own questions. For example, they can select the number of questions they wish to answer and also the type of questions they want. This is a special exam model.
“Public exams are much more effective as we set the questions and they will also be able to analyse where they stand among other students. Although students are coached thoroughly at coaching centres, they do not have a mechanism to find out their position against a much larger competition. In short, such candidates may do well amongst their classmates but may not be up to the mark with a wider competition,” says Anil.
The registration to the website is free. Also, students who register will be given a free open exam. The rates vary for the packages on offer.
“We have a Rs 499 package for 7 exams in 15 days. The Rs 999 booster package, includes 15 exams, in 30 days. The premium pacakge allows students to take 25 exams in 60 days,” says Anil.
Pathaayam, a website started by a group of young professionals in Kerala, caters to students choosing Malayalam as an optional language for the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) exams.
“Malayalam is the best option to choose for Keralites who are appearing for the civil service exams. We started this website, mainly because there are hardly any centres providing courses in Malayalam in the competitive exams. Also, the realisation that many of those who cleared the civil service exams in the past, had mostly taken Malayalam as the optional subject, encouraged us to start the website,” said Alice Reeja Fernandes, who runs it along with Soumya P R and Sreeja Sanal.
Literary critic M K Sanu is the mentor and patron. “Sanu was our best option. Most of the questions are prepared by him. Apart from this, the study material is also provided on the website,” says Alice.
According to her, Malayalam is one of the easiest exams to crack because the questions are repetitive every year. “So, we focus on this a lot too,” she added.
The cost for an entire year is Rs 5,000. The full package is available till December.