SSC Exam Preparation: Educator Rakesh Yadav Shares Invaluable Insights And Tips For Acing Maths Section

Rakesh Yadav, a renowned teacher and the founder of the Careerwill app, has captivated the hearts of young students across India with his unique teaching style in mathematics. Through his education centers and online platform, he is dedicated to making quality education accessible to every child in the country, prioritising affordability as a core principle. Rakesh Yadav's unwavering commitment to empowering students and ensuring their educational success has garnered him a special place in the hearts of aspiring learners nationwide.

During an interview with Jagran English, Rakesh Yadav, shared invaluable insights on the SSC exams, including indispensable tips for acing the maths section, an elaboration on the significance of mathematics in the exam, recommended practice techniques for effective preparation, a discussion on the diverse levels of maths questions asked in the examination, insights into the minimum time needed to cover the syllabus, and his motivation behind creating the Careerwill app to provide affordable and accessible study resources.

Here are excerpts from the conversation:

Q. Which is more effective for maths practice, online tests or offline test books?

Ans) In order to adapt to the current online learning environment and the increasing screen time associated with mobile devices, I believe it is beneficial for students to initially prioritise practicing maths questions from books. However, considering that exams are now conducted online, it is important for students to adjust their practice methods accordingly. Thus, I would advise students to attempt approximately 50 to 60 mock tests before their exams, aiming to familiarise themselves with the online testing format and enhance their preparation.

While online learning provides opportunities for students to develop time management skills, it is essential that in the initial stage, students dedicate time to practicing with offline books to strengthen their foundational knowledge.

Q. What is the average time taken by a student to complete the entire mathematics syllabus, and after completing it, how many hours per day should they dedicate to daily practice?

Ans) The time taken by students to understand concepts varies depending on their individual comprehension abilities. In our VOD (video-on-demand batches), we provide all course videos, allowing students to complete their maths curriculum at their own pace. Some students prefer studying at an accelerated 2x speed, while others take a slower approach based on their capacity. On average, if students concentrate solely on the exam syllabus, it is possible for them to prepare for the maths exam in approximately 4 to 5 months in the SSC exam.

Q. Your advice to those who were weak in advanced maths in school time and now preparing for competitive exams?

Ans) Patience and consistency are crucial factors in preparing for competitive exams, especially in mathematics. The level of difficulty in these exams may vary, and success does not solely depend on one's maths education during school. It's important to remember that each student learns at their own pace. Therefore, if one comprehends a concept slowly, it doesn't imply weak maths skills. By maintaining patience and consistent effort, students gradually become familiar with the types of questions asked in these exams. Consider the scenario where five years ago, it was unimaginable for 60-year-olds to utilize WhatsApp or YouTube. Yet, today, these platforms are widely embraced by people of all ages. Change occurs gradually, so maintaining patience is essential for comprehending new concepts.

Q. What advice would you like to offer to individuals who put in hard work but are unable to crack government exams?

Ans) Many students are dedicatedly preparing for government exams, but the selection rate for these exams is typically as low as 1 percent or even lower. It is disheartening for those who invest considerable time and effort into preparation but do not reach the desired stage. However, it's crucial for those students to recognize that our purpose on this earth is to work, and securing a government job does not solely define our destiny. There might be greater opportunities awaiting them in the future. It is important for students to stay motivated, maintain a positive mindset, and remember that results are not entirely within their control; what truly matters is their diligent hard work. Additionally, exploring alternative options is always a viable path that students should consider.

Q. What are your views on the reduction of weightage for mathematics in the new SSC syllabus?

Ans) The reduction in the number of maths questions from earlier has not diminished its significance as a scoring subject. While the total number of questions has been reduced, maths remains highly important. In contrast, general studies subjects do not yield high marks, with average students typically scoring 40 to 50 percent. However, top-ranking students may score 70 to 80 percent in general studies. Additionally, the decrease in the number of maths questions is not unique; English paper questions have also been reduced. In reasoning papers, students perform well with normal preparation, and English questions are asked easy. In summary, math's importance remains paramount, despite the lower number of questions. Presently, maths consists of 55 questions, and approximately 70 percent of selected students score 100 percent in this subject.

Q. Is SSC making any changes in the level of mathematics questions as compared to earlier SSC exams?

Ans) The question pattern in SSC exams has undergone significant changes, with the level of difficulty now being relatively low, resulting in even average students scoring close to 100 percent in maths. However, it is important to note that SSC does not adhere to a fixed pattern, and future question patterns may vary unpredictably. There is a possibility that similar to the UPSC CSAT paper, the maths paper in SSC exams could suddenly introduce more challenging questions.

Q. How did you come up with the idea of making the Careerwill app?

Ans) I started teaching offline in 2012 and the challenges of teaching in the offline market became apparent to me, particularly in locations like Mukherjee Nagar, Delhi. In those days, I would teach large batches of approximately 20,000 students using a projector.

The SSC coaching fee mostly ranged between 15 to 30 thousand, which was manageable for most. The real difficulty lay in adapting to the lifestyle of such urban centers. For example, students coming from places like Madhya Pradesh faced significant adjustments in terms of living conditions, language, and even eating habits. Moreover, they were often far away from their families.

Recognizing these challenges, I realized that offline teaching couldn't deliver the same level of content as online teaching. The online medium offered advantages such as smart boards, digital resources, and the ability to use chroma technology for enhanced understanding of topics. This realization led to the inception of our Careerwill company in 2016, with the goal of assisting students in a more effective manner.

Prior to the company's establishment, we had published a book called "7300," which gained tremendous popularity due to its unique feature of providing video solutions for every question. Within a month, over 1 lakh copies of the book were sold. This success further motivated us to embrace technological advancements and develop our educational app.

Q. How do you connect with students and relate their questions to solve their doubts?

Ans) We connect with students through various means, such as organizing periodic seminars in different cities. Most recently, we organized a seminar in Praygraj, which drew an impressive attendance of approximately 20,000 students. During the seminar, we had the opportunity to listen to their valuable experiences and suggestions.

In addition, our live classes feature a screen that allows us to view students' comments, questions, and concerns. We make every effort to address their queries and provide comprehensive answers. Many students also visit Careerwill headquarters, where they can interact with us directly.

To ensure no doubts are left unresolved, we have established a dedicated doubt portal. We have a team of experienced teachers and senior educators who conduct classes in a manner that leaves no room for confusion. In case any doubts persist, students can ask questions in the comment section, join our social media groups, or participate in doubt-solving sessions specifically designed for this purpose. Furthermore, we provide educational content through our Telegram channel, "Maths with Rakesh."

Q. What if some students can’t afford the fees of your coaching center? Is there any provision for the EWS?

Ans) We offer free-of-cost online classes to students in need, including those from Kashmir, the northeast region, and others who reach out to us for assistance via social media or any other channels. Meanwhile, our online batch fees remain accessible with options starting as low as Rs. 99, Rs. 199, Rs. 300, and Rs. 500, etc.