Keep facts in mind... Just the facts...

For all those preparing for the IIMC entrance exam, don't take on too much stress.

 

All you need to really do, is work out all the major news events that have happened over the past year, maybe take some print outs about them and keep facts in mind. Just the facts.

 

No need to sit and practice framing them in the form of an answer. Once you have the facts ready in your head, you just need to expand it and explain it according to the word limit. Usually for one long answer, you just need about 5 points.

Mostly, you are asked opinion based questions.. so have a few points ready in mind for and against the topics…  

For the interview, especially, make sure you are up to date with any current news making it big. It basically requires the same work as does the written, only that you have to speak it out.

 

Remember that as a journalist, you cannot be biased towards any community, party etc.. you have to look at things objectively even as you bring out your own opinion, this is important as it will reflect in your answers.

During the interview, you may be tested on the knowledge of your background–your state, your community etc…. even ridiculous questions like what your name means.. (I was asked who guru Vashist was).

 

In the end, even if you don't know the answer, the idea is to be able to argue your points (even if they are insufficient) well.

Apart from opinion based questions, there will be others which are more objective. It's a good idea to take a crash course in india's history/social sciences if your GK is as bad as mine.

 

Pick up a Manorama and glance over it for a week. These are the only things one really needs to work on. This aside if you have a flair for writing and can argue your points well, you're good to go.

One more thing.. avoid flowery language in your answers.. try to keep it like it is in newspapers and magazines.... the idea is to communicate well... not to show off poetic skills. Simple vocabulary works best.
 

Go through some good papers (esp editorials coz those are the kind of articles ull be writing) and magazines to understand how to write..). Try to stick to third person narrative and even when you make a personal comment/ statement, especially in a sensitive issue, do it cleverly and always supplementing it with facts.
 

In the end, even if you don't make it, its not the end of the world. Those who have it in them make it to the media even as simple graduates and without a journalism degree/ diploma, and do better too.
 

 

Best of luck!
Shruti Vashist
Correspondent, India Today