Rajkumar Roychowdhury Head, physics and applied mathematics, ISI, Calcutta

Q: I am a BSc math second year student (distance education mode) from Annamalai University. I got 75 per cent marks in the Part-1 exam. I have an year’s experience in hardware engineering (networking) and I have also completed four management certificate courses from Indira Gandhi National Open University. I want to sit for CAT 2007. However, I suffer from exam phobia and grow tense at the thought of sitting for an exam. What do I do to overcome that?

Name withheld

A: Try to take as many mock tests as possible. Get the study material from a reputed coaching school and practise a lot. CAT is a tough test but if you work really hard you will get confidence.

Q: I am a part-II student of chemistry (honours). I had good results in Class X but in Plus Two, I just got 54.7 per cent in science. I want to do an MBA after my graduation. Am I eligible to take the MBA exam? Also, since I am not too good in maths and didn’t score well in Class XII, should I still think of doing an MBA?

Amzad Hossain

A: You need not worry about your part II course. You can sit for MBA entrance exams like CAT if you hold a bachelors degree with at least 50 per cent marks.

Q: I am a second year physics (honours) student and want to study in Indian School of Mines (ISM), Dhanbad, after graduation. Do inform me of the eligibility to sit for the entrance exam in ISM. Do I need to take any extra coaching?

Arup Nag

A: Admission in ISM-Dhanbad is through the IIT-JEE. You can also take up coaching, which should prepare you adequately for the IIT-JEE.