Some applicants focus more on the graduation exam during exam preparation. One of the factors causing this is that incorrect answers in the graduation exam do not affect the result of correct answers.
This approach sometimes leads applicants to allocate more time and attention to the graduation exam and relatively less to the admission exam during the preparation process.
So, how should applicants plan the preparation process for both exams, and on what principle should they divide their time among subjects? What preparation strategy should be preferred to achieve a successful result?
AzEdu.az was given a statement on the topic by "Young Teacher of the Year", Azerbaijani language and literature teacher, tutor Khazri Muradov.
He noted that a student who wants a high result must be able to tackle the topics they consider difficult:
“An applicant who wants to achieve a high result should not consider one exam primary and the other secondary. Because a result above 600 is not a coincidence, but the product of a correct strategy and consistent effort.
When we observe the preparation process of applicants, we see that some of them focus more on the graduation exam. One of the reasons for this is that incorrect answers in the graduation exam do not cancel out correct answers, and another reason is that some students consider the graduation exam as a stage where they can achieve easier results. As a result, a large part of the preparation time is allocated to the graduation exam, and a smaller part to the second stage of the admission exam – the block exam.
I do not consider this approach correct. Of course, it is necessary to prepare seriously for the graduation exam. However, this should not be at the expense of pushing the block exam into the background. The applicant should aim not to achieve a high result in one exam, but to build a correct overall admission strategy.
My observations show that we have students who approach both the graduation and block exams with the same responsibility, systematically increasing their knowledge in both directions. It is precisely the importance of this approach that can be seen in the success of applicants who achieve results above 600 at the end of the year. I would not attribute the success of every high-achieving student to just one factor. Here, knowledge, continuous effort, correct teacher support, time management, and exam strategy all play a role together.
On the other hand, some applicants show a tendency to achieve results the easy way. They consider the graduation exam more accessible, direct the main part of their preparation to this stage, and sometimes treat the block exam as a secondary matter. However, the admission process does not always yield the expected results for students who think this way”.
The applicant must know that the completion of one exam does not mean the end of their struggle:
“In my opinion, the strategy of “preparing a lot for an easy exam and little for a difficult exam” is not a strategy, but an avoidance of difficulty. However, a student who wants a high result must be able to tackle the topics they consider difficult.
Here I would like to touch upon another important point. In my experience, I have observed that some applicants reduce the intensity of their preparation after taking the graduation exam, and even lose their previous attitude towards lessons. I consider this a serious mistake. Because after the graduation exam is completed, a significant stage still remains for the student – the block exam.
In fact, the period after the graduation exam, when evaluated correctly, can turn into a great opportunity for the applicant. Since the necessity to allocate as much time to graduation subjects as before has decreased, the student can focus more on block subjects, identify their weak topics, and eliminate gaps in their knowledge. In other words, this stage is not a time for rest, but a time to continue preparation more purposefully.
The applicant must know that the completion of one exam does not mean the end of their struggle. Sometimes the decisive stage begins precisely after that”.
So, what should be the correct preparation strategy?
"First of all, the student must objectively assess their current level of knowledge. They must know which subject they are weak in, which topics they have not mastered, and in which direction they need to work more. Preparation is not just about sitting in front of books for hours. The main issue is how effective the time spent is.
Secondly, preparation for graduation and block exams should be carried out in parallel. Time allocation should be determined according to each applicant's level, results in subjects, and the goal they have set. If a student's graduation subjects are weak, it is natural for them to allocate more time to that direction. At the same time, pushing block subjects into the background for months can later create serious difficulties.
Thirdly, mock exams should not be considered merely as a means of scoring points. Every mock exam is an opportunity for the student to get to know themselves. They should determine not only how many points they scored, but also why they made certain mistakes, how they managed their time, and which topics they need to revisit.
Fourthly, students should develop a habit of continuous work rather than a desire to achieve high results in a short time. Exam preparation yields results not through efforts shown over a few months, but through long-term sustained discipline".
The family also has a responsibility for high results:
"Parents also have a big role in this process. Sometimes families focus too much on the student's graduation exam results and thereby unknowingly direct their attention to only one stage. However, for parents, the main criterion should not be just the current score, but how close their child is to their overall admission goal.
Finally, I want to emphasize one point: the goal of every applicant should not be just to pass the exam, but to be admitted to the specialty they desire. For this, the entire preparation process should be viewed as a single path.
A student looking for an easy exam can choose a comfortable path for themselves, but there is no easy path to responsibility for high results.
I would advise applicants not to forget the block exam while preparing for the graduation exam, and after graduation, instead of reducing the pace of work, to make the most efficient use of the remaining time. Because a high result is determined not by how good you are in one exam, but by how consistently and correctly you move towards the goal you have set for yourself".
