Simple stepwise preparation for Computer Science and Engineering Practical Lab External Examinations
Well, many of us attend to Practical sessions some or the other time during our academics in any field that we proceed. In this article, I would like to emphasis on Engineering Practical Examinations in the branch of Computer Science and Engineering that are conducted in each and every semester for each of its academic years. I have given a brief explanation on how to get well prepared for Practical Examinations such that we score maximum marks in each of the Practical Exams.
How to Prepare for Computer Science and Engineering Practical Exams?
I, being a student of CSE, presently pursuing my B.Tech 3rd year, had already attended to many labs under R07 regualtion. Before going into the steps for preparation, let me introduce you, the labs that should be done by any CSE student during his regular term of 4 Years B.Tech Course.Various Labs that are present in CSE to conduct Practical Examinations:
Each Lab is given with a maximum of 75 marks including 25 marks during College Internal Examinations and 50 during External Lab Examinations.
1st Year:
2nd Year - Sem(I):
2nd Year - Sem(II):
3rd Year - Sem(I):
3rd Year - Sem(II):
4th Year - Sem(I): Steps for Preparation of each and every lab in CSE:
Step1:
Start from the basics. Basics mean that one should be thorough in the subject right from the start and this could be possible only if he/ she is a good listener during regualr class sessions. I believe in "Listening is better than Studying" which I missed during the first year and later realized to successfully implement it. Your score doesnt depend on hearing the classes but your knowledge develops only when you hear well in the class hours. Scoring in Practical Examinations can be very easily obtained because your faculty provide you with a range of questions and advises.
Step2:
Try to get a very good impression at your faculty because its them who enters the marks finally and submits to the University. So, if you have a better impression, its very easy for you to pass your Practical Examination. Anyways, you don't need to go back of the faculty when you are inbuilt with concepts and subject generally. So, if you need pass marks only though your percentage drops, then try to gain a good impression at the faculty. But, if you need good marks, then you should have stuff in you so that you can attempt and successfully execute the programs during the Practical Labs to gain maximum marks.
Step3:
Refer to the programs that are prescribed by the concerned faculty without fail because those are the programs that would definitely come during the Practical Exam in more than 99% cases. So, its not at all advisable to lose easy marks so easily. Additionally, look into those programs that come under various applications of concepts present in your syllabus. There are many Internet Sources available for us, like our ISC which contain collections of various possible programs that are asked every year during Practical Examinations. If you miss them out, you missed out the easiest way of preparing for an External Lab Examination.
Step4:
Practical exams test your application skills and hence one need to entirely concentrate on Programming since CSE is a field of Programming. Its better to implement the given program to be executed in your well known language like Basic C Language and then translate it to the required language like Java. Though, Java might be easier when compared to C, Java is even developed from C. Whatever the language may be, the LOGIC implemented will be the same and it can differ depending upon the approach but every language gives the same output when a similar logic is followed.
Step5:
Try to develop step wise steps to process the given problem. The major example for this approach is the flow chart technique. Effective algorithms are needed to be developed so that once if these algorithms are right, the program can give you output in any language you implemented.
Step6:
Don't panic when you select an unknown experiment because it makes you to lose your senses and thus decreases your confidence levels hugely. So, the primary thing is that you need to always keep up your confidence levels. When you find an unkown question, first get settled well and think upon a solution to solve it by being very positive at your approach and this can be done if you can follow the first step well. Then, if you are well knowing that its difficult to get through well with that question, request for an alternative question for which you might be deducted marks oftentimes. So, its better to attempt the same question you got, because, you will be given marks for atleast writing and trying it over a system though you are not obtaining the Output because losing 5 marks for output per each question is better than losing 10 marks for changing your question.
Step7:
Viva is also a part of Practical Examinations where you would be asked some questions regarding the theoretical part of the subject. To be frank, almost all of us neglect it by concentrating entirely on the Programmatic part. It should be noted here that, to gain a maximum mark in a lab, the 10 marks that are posted through Viva by the External also plays a very major role. If you go accordingly as per the syllabus and have conceptual knowledge, then, Viva would easily fetch you 10/10. Again to gain knowledge, the most traditional and one and only one step to be followed is, be perfect in the basics. If you are lucky enough by gaining a good impression at your college faculty, your Viva marks will also add sweetness to your marks.
Step8:
Last but not the least, try to gain maximum marks during the Internal Lab examination conducted before the External Examination during which gaining of 25 out of 25 provides you with maximum chance of 75 out of 75 marks.Conclusion:
One should observe that our percentage or aggregate is very widely dependent on Lab Examinations total only. We cannot judge how many marks we get after writing our exams though we write them very well because its also dependent on the Validaters mind but gaining marks during Labs is easier and needs slight smartness at the faculty and also at studies. Consider, you got 75 out of 75 in your both Labs that semester, then, you are indirectly given licence to obtain average marks in the written exams such that your aggreagte doesnt decrease below 70% which is a very good one while attending for an interview. If you are able to make your written exams fruitful too, then, that sem would definitely fetch you near 80% or atleast 75% or so. So, gaining Maximum marks during Lab Externals is a must criteria to maintain a good aggregate during Engineering. Also, read the following article which focuses on Best way to prepare for External Examinations for Computer Science and Engineering