Age limit for Entrance Exams

Disclaimer: All views expressed here are in nature of an academic debate only

There is an upper age limit imposed by the exam committee of a certain national level entrance exam. Last year, this limit was challenged by a couple of students who had crossed the age limit. A court judgment was passed in favor of the students and they were allowed to appear for the exam. However, there have been media reports which claim that the judgment notwithstanding, the age limit rule might still be enforced this year.

This article aims to explore the need for such a rule. The contrary opinion has not been discussed here. Valid opinions against the one expressed here are welcome.

There are literally thousands of students who have just completed their school education and look forward to enter the education system in some of the premier institutions of this country. The average age of such aspirants would be in the 17-19 year range. Although there may be candidates who have completed 20 years of age, the numbers who would fall in this category would be minuscule.

Suppose the age limit is removed - what could happen? What is a large number of 20+ (age) candidates appear and crack the examination? With the merit-system in place, what if none (or a few) 12th pass outs get admissions? Wouldn't it be unfair for the younger aspirants?

In absence of an age limit (and no bar on number of attempts), what is to prevent a candidate from repeatedly trying his (her) luck till (s)he cracks the exam?

 While there may be legitimate reasons as to why an older candidate wishes to join the course, these must be taken on a case to case basis. Certain strict rules regarding the eligibility of candidates over a certain age can be added as exceptions to the age rule. One condition could be the number of attempts that such a candidate is allowed.

While no system is perfect, it is worth thinking about the rationale behind certain rules and how to deal with genuine cases where the rule reduces one's chances at a good future.

Learning - the teaching method

Students often come to me with their grievances about different subject.

Sir, I can't understand the concept of Simple and Compound Interest!
Sir, it is difficult to remember so much GK and Current Affairs!
Sir, how to solve this puzzle? I just can't understand reasoning!

Well, as they say, there is a solution for every problem. Here's an innovative method of learning. I've seen this method being used in the past by some of my friends (well, I have used this technique myself... and believe me, it works!)

Teach the topic that you can't seem to learn.

Huh! Are you crazy? My complain is that I can't learn the topic... and you are asking to TEACH the same to others?

Well, here's how this system works for me.

A group of friends sit and divide the entire syllabus among themselves. Each individual takes a certain amount of responsibility for teaching certain topics to others. It does not matter whether you are good at that topic or not. In fact, if you are weak in certain areas, all the more reason to take up the responsibility of teaching the same.

Now, fix a schedule for teaching/discussing those topics in the group.

The person who has taken the onus of 'teaching' a certain topic must not only teach the fundamentals of the topic to others, but also solve most - if not all - the problems in the corresponding exercise.

Once you know that others are depending upon you to 'learn' something, you will try your best to understand the topic from its roots. As you start explaining the topic to others, you discover that the topic is not all that hard as it seemed before. When responsibility of 'teaching' a topic rests on your shoulders, you are more involved in the subject which leads to better conceptual clarity.

Consciously or otherwise, you start discovering new methods of solving problems and gain confidence in the same.

The reason why many teachers are good at solving questions that you find tough is not just their intelligence, but also the repetition that they do in explaining the concepts and problems to more than one student.

Try it. It works!