Shine with the Star - A chat with our NATA Topper
As NATA exams are around the corner and students are feeling the heat (either ways!) DQ Labs thought of cooling it off with a chilled out interview of their NATA 2017 topper Poornima Subramanian.
She scored a total of 171 marks in NATA 2017 and secured 2nd rank in Karnataka CET. She credits her success to the continuous and regular support provided by DQ Labs, both through their regular classroom coaching and online, through their learning portal, DQ Edge, DQ Blogs and their YouTubechannel.
She is currently pursuing B.Des. at IIT Guwahati and took out some time from her tight packed schedule, to talk to us in order to help you guide better in writing your NATA Entrance Exam.
Nishtha Nautiyal on behalf of DQ Labs brings you a part of the chat.
Nishtha: How did you prepare for NATA?
Poornima: Constant practise is the key to success. I practiced either through mock tests on DQ Edge or reading up the DQ Labs Books and watched documentaries to cool off. Getting my mock tests immediately reviewed and most importantly re-attempting drawing questions with a new perspective was something DQ labs focused on which helped fast-track the preps.
Nishtha: How long did it take you to prepare?
Poornima: I prepared over the span of two years where DQ Labs’ offline course was well spaced out and this helped in avoiding monotony and learning design, parallel to my school curriculum.
Nishtha: What resources did you have? What was the ultimate resource you relied on?
Poornima: DQ Edge’s online database helped a lot for theory studies. DQ mock tests (there were at least a hundred), helped me gain the rhythm to solve papers in time. There were some materials that I procured myself (like books for verbal non-verbal and math, quizzing apps like quizup for G.K) which I read along with the DQ Books, as well as quizzing shows that come on T.V. helped a lot in attempting the aptitude part.
Nishtha: What were your feelings/emotions during the preps?
Poornima: I had a good amount of stress at first but after I found my rhythm I started enjoying the prep because I saw it as a way to break the everyday pattern from my school life. It was something I enjoyed, and with DQ to help you, you have nothing to worry about.
Nishtha: How did you balance your boards and NATA preps?
Poornima: A good timetable! I need a timetable to prioritize my time as I was preparing for design as well. So during boards, design and architecture prep were stress busters.
Nishtha: What things do you think you could/ should change in your preps to get better results?
Poornima: Working smarter rather than harder.
Applying a method of elimination rather than selection in MCQs and working on conceptual ideation in drawing is something that, if focused well within time help achieve good scores.
Also trying to develop aesthetic sensibility which helps me in the long run
Nishtha: What was your exam strategy?
Poornima: exam strategy- to cover as much variety as possible, to always scrap the first few ideas as every second student would have thought of it, to get inspiration from documentaries and films and portfolios
Nishtha: How did you intend to write the exam?
(Both before attempting and while writing the exam)
Poornima: Time management is of the essence. I always try to finish theory within the first hour so that I have enough time to attempt drawing. And mark out few theory questions I can attempt when I get a creative block.
But what I did this time with this pattern was that since I had finished theory in 60 mins., I had 30 mins. to ideate for drawing and come up with a plan.
So, try to finish your aptitude and maths sections within the 75 mins’ time range so that you have atleast 15 mins to ideate.
Nishtha: Were there any roadblocks in the preps? How did you overcome them?
Poornima: I faced many hurdles in terms of creative blocks during/ before drawing, in finding solutions to questions like how to prioritize colouring and shading, how to make guesses in math etc.
How I overcame them- I think, that just gradually happened through mock tests on DQ Edge and I developed a style of my own which worked. For math, I always made this revision sheet that helped with tricks I could use when I would get stuck in certain kind of problems.
Nishtha: How did you feel/ what was going on inside your head while writing the exam?
Poornima: I zone in once the exam begins and lose track of time. It often feels like I'm writing a mock test. But right before the exam I am extremely nervous and right after it hits me that I just completed an exam and the relief is unparalleled
Nishtha: Do you have some tips/ suggestions to students appearing for NATA?
Poornima: Yes! Get good rest before an exam, it's essential for your mind to be active and reflexes to be fast.
Try to make the learning process more long term and not with the purpose of clearing an exam as the learning you get from that is far more applicable when you start off your career.
Think of different ways to learn-quiz shows, apps, T.V. shows, movies, books by designers etc.
Have fun! It's just another test and you have a 100 more to go.
We hope that this interview helped clear your questions regarding NATA and give you a better perspective of the competition and tips on how to prepare well. We wish you all the best. Feel free to contact us anytime you require help.
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