The boom of IT sector and infrastructure in India has sky-rocketed the demand of engineers. While there are engineering colleges dime a dozen in the country, the Indian Institutes of Technology are the best of the breed. Every Indian who wants to be an engineer, dreams about joining one of the IITs.

As of early 2009, there are 7 IITs functioning in their own campus. These are IIT Kharagpur, IIT Bombay, IIT Madras, IIT Kanpur, IIT Delhi, IIT Guwahati and IIT Roorkee. Six IITs are currently operational from temporary campuses because they started operations in 2008. These are IIT Bhubaneswar, IIT Gandhinagar, IIT Hyderabad, IIT Patna, IIT Punjab and IIT Rajasthan. These six IITs are currently under the mentorship of older IITs and operate from their campuses.

Unlike other engineering colleges, the IITs do not need to be affiliated to any university to offer degrees. This is because each institution is considered an autonomous university by itself.

Courses Offered:

IITs offer degree courses at Bachelor and Master level. They are also research focused institutes. At the undergraduate level, the undergraduate level, all the students get a B. Tech. degree. The specific nomenclature of degree depends upon the engineering stream chosen by the students.

Each of the IITs is famous for particular engineering streams. Commonly the students choose for Computer Science, Electronics, Mechanical engineering, Aerospace, and Civil engineering streams. Whereas the study courses of first year are common for all students, the second year onwards, their study courses are decided according to the engineering stream they have chosen.

The IITs also offer an integrated degree of Master of Technology. Master of Business Administration course is also being offered along with Master of Science. The research level, Doctor of Philosophy is also offered by the IITs.

Admission Process:

Admission to all the IITs takes place through a centralized entrance test system. The procedure of admission to IITs is known as the Joint Entrance Examination. On an average, as many as 600,000 students write the JEE every year. Of these mere 5500 students are selected for these elite institutions. To appear for the JEE, the applicant must have secured 60% marks at 10 + 2 level with science subjects. For the reserved category, the minimum required percentage is 55%. Test can not be taken more than twice and maximum age limit is 25 years (30 years for reserved categories).

Admissions at the post graduate level are made through course specific admission tests. For M. Tech courses, the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) is held. For M. Sc. JAM (Joint Admission to M.Sc.) is held whereas the admission to management programs is through JMET (Joint Management Entrance Test).

Job Prospects:

Being the top most engineering colleges of the country, completing the IIT degree is by itself a job guarantee. Most of the students get job offers through campus placement sessions. The students get numerous international job opportunities with United States based companies being one of the largest hirers of IIT alumni.

You must understand that exam is an exclusive opportunity to stand out from the crowd and prove your ability and display your knowledge and skills. Apart from good brain and having knowledge you also require other traits like your ability to analyze and structure your answers and you perfect self-management which might prove helpful in clearing your papers successfully.

In the examination hall be calm and focus only on what you have in front of you. Begin with the simple tasks hat would build confidence in you and then gradually move to the most complicated. Try to build your answer on facts, but using some interesting peculiarities to support them.

Divide the time available to smaller time frames and the decide on the plan for completing each task separately, but the process should not take much time. If you are likely to correct mistakes and to go back to the same task and correct, doubting which answer is right, better dedicate time to sound structure of the answer and develop confidence in your decision.

If you are in the doubt, then also there is no reason to cheat or to ask the neighbor; you both are going to get in trouble. Be always honest and act wisely!

During preparations it is always suggested that you should be focusing 100% but still if you find it hard absorb information at once, you may try to divide the work into parts to learn at a time. Time management is essential for now which should also elaborate on rest so as to work effectively.

Whether you are 100% prepared or not, allow yourself a sound sleep, and if you have omitted some points, there is still no need to worry: you may be lucky and not choose them out of the list.

Conduct yourself normal and do not overstress things unnecessarily; the examination board is interested in your results, not your appearance. Dress properly.

1. Time management
Planning your time will allow you to study as well as take time off to watch TV, go out with friends and have extra curricular activities such as music and clubs etc.
2. Planning and discipline
Select a time for study when you concentrate the best and develop a habit of studying at this time. Some students prefer the early morning, others the afternoon or night. Try to make this study time when there are fewer distractions around you.
3. Keeping fit
Exercise and keeping fit are some things that many students worry about as it is time consuming – but don’t put this off because of a lack of time. A fit and healthy lifestyle helps you feel more positive and have more energy. It also helps concentration. Play a sport, get outside for fresh air and exercise and try to do this on a regular basis. Even 10 minutes of fitness activity each day has benefits. And don’t forget, relaxation exercises are also helpful.
4. Manage your stress
It’s the rule rather than the exception for student to feel nervous before exams. This is not necessarily a bad thing. Aim to keep your routines as normal as possible during exam periods. On the day before an exam, stick to your revision plan. On the night before, have an early night, so that you give yourself the opportunity to get plenty of sleep and wake up alert.
5. Learn to say no
Your friends want to go out on Wednesday but you’re committed to studying for that Physics exam? Or you’re not allowed to go out on weeknights so you get the weekend free? Then, say no. It’s the only way your plans for the rest of the week will stay in place.