With the pre exam blues around the corner let me ease you out a bit with some help on the question paper(and how i answered it) and trust me, its not rocket science, just a little bit of logic, reasoning and timing plus a pinch of creativity.
here you go!
The ADPR question paper tests you on roughly two parameters. First is how creative/ innovative you are and the second is how thorough is your understanding of the current market scenario. If you have gone through the previous year question papers (which are also present in this blog under the section ADPR) you will come across a pattern in the question papers, its alternately stressing more on either of these variables every year.
Now let me give you a further understanding of these parameters i am talking about. Your creativity will be tested in a question like "Write an epitaph on yourself" which came in 2006. Here you can give your imagination a free run and decide what you want to be written on your epitaph. Write something that is not run of the mill but that makes you answer stand out. Questions like these give the advantage to gain that extra edge over others. Preparation of questions like this can be done by writing on slightly crazy topics that allow you think "jara hatke".
here you go!
The ADPR question paper tests you on roughly two parameters. First is how creative/ innovative you are and the second is how thorough is your understanding of the current market scenario. If you have gone through the previous year question papers (which are also present in this blog under the section ADPR) you will come across a pattern in the question papers, its alternately stressing more on either of these variables every year.
Now let me give you a further understanding of these parameters i am talking about. Your creativity will be tested in a question like "Write an epitaph on yourself" which came in 2006. Here you can give your imagination a free run and decide what you want to be written on your epitaph. Write something that is not run of the mill but that makes you answer stand out. Questions like these give the advantage to gain that extra edge over others. Preparation of questions like this can be done by writing on slightly crazy topics that allow you think "jara hatke".
Analyze yourself, as you find a lot of questions try to find out who you are in a very subjective manner. Ask questions like what is the one trait in me i like most, when you know yourself inside out you will not waste time on answering questions about yourself.
The second aspect of creativity comes in when you are asked to make an ad, be it for radio, television, film or all of them. For this you can practice on some known brands, and also take a close look at the ads aired on tv, or in magazines and look out for radio spot. Here the structure of your ad is not important but what they are looking for is if you have a good "idea". Keep in mind the target audience you are aiming the ad at, and i am sure you can come up with some thing that is pretty decent to catch the eye of your examiner.
Now lets tackle the second parameter you thorough understanding of the market scenario. For this you need to prepare in advance but now, when not much time is left all is not lost, you can grab the last 3-4 months of "Pitch" and "USP age", these magazines will give you a fairly decent idea of what is happening in the advertising and pr grounds. From these magazines you will also be able to pick up the style of writing in this media.
Now lets tackle the second parameter you thorough understanding of the market scenario. For this you need to prepare in advance but now, when not much time is left all is not lost, you can grab the last 3-4 months of "Pitch" and "USP age", these magazines will give you a fairly decent idea of what is happening in the advertising and pr grounds. From these magazines you will also be able to pick up the style of writing in this media.
You will become familiar with the current trends in advertising. All this can be used when you answer your papers, you information on the subject will help you to be to the point and also provide you with information you can use. You can also go through the websites of www.agencyfaqs.com and www.exchange4media.com, these websites are also very helpful in giving you an idea of the current happenings in the media circle.
If you go through the question paper you find that if you don't manage your time properly you might be in a fix and will have to make haste in the end. To escape such a situation i suggest you what i generally do-multitasking. go through the question paper once, keep in mind the portions that require you to imagine, and start with answering the informative parts first. In this way you can keep thinking about the creative answers while you write about the facts and figures. This can be a bit tricky so don't try it on the exam day if you haven't tried something like this before. But this strategy works for me always.
When you are answering keep in mind, never be verbose. every sentence you write should contribute in your answer. Don't put an overdose of facts or examples. They only make your answer lengthy.
Last and most importantly...Write to express, not to impress.
Well, i guess that's all...
If you go through the question paper you find that if you don't manage your time properly you might be in a fix and will have to make haste in the end. To escape such a situation i suggest you what i generally do-multitasking. go through the question paper once, keep in mind the portions that require you to imagine, and start with answering the informative parts first. In this way you can keep thinking about the creative answers while you write about the facts and figures. This can be a bit tricky so don't try it on the exam day if you haven't tried something like this before. But this strategy works for me always.
When you are answering keep in mind, never be verbose. every sentence you write should contribute in your answer. Don't put an overdose of facts or examples. They only make your answer lengthy.
Last and most importantly...Write to express, not to impress.
Well, i guess that's all...
Best of luck
Puja Upadhyay
Puja Upadhyay
1 comment:
thank you maam, for your insights....being an applicant for this year(2009-10),your blog meant an encyclopedia of do/dont for me....
thanking you again!!!!
nikhil
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