NATA and JEE Main B.Arch are the two competitive exams that are required for admission to architectural courses. Both exams require an in-depth understanding of the subject along with tremendous hard work and preparation. JEE Main B.Arch focuses more on drawing and other aptitude subjects. The National Test Agency (NTA) annually conducts the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main B.Arch examination and it offers admission in various BE, B.Tech, B.Arch, and B planning courses. These courses are offered to gain admission to some of India’s leading institutes such as the National Institute of Technologies (NITs), the Indian Institute of Technologies (IITs), and Centrally Funded Technical Institutes (CFTIs). The B.Arch programme is a demanding yet rewarding course. Students have to be creative, analytical, and pay attention to detail. However, it also equips students with the knowledge and abilities required to pursue a successful career in architecture.
Entrance examinations are essential to the admissions process because they provide a standardized and unbiased way to evaluate applicants. In this way, fairness is promoted and a level playing field for academic evaluation is created by guaranteeing that all applicants are evaluated based on a predetermined set of skills. These exams are also a gateway to some of the top colleges; they help students to gain exposure to competitive environments and also build analytical and problem-solving skills. It also aids in maintaining academic standards through streamlined screening.
Saharsh Mayur Parodkar, son of Mayur and Siddhi and twin brother of Sahas from Margao, excelled at the JEE BArch Examination 2024. He topped in Goa with a 99.84 percentile and an All India rank of 129.
Regarding his timetable and schedule when preparing for the exams, Saharsh says, “Since I also had to answer my board exams, I actually focused more on preparing for the boards as I found those subjects more difficult. I spent around three hours studying every day and attended tuition during the day and online coaching classes every night. I followed a regular routine and sleep schedule and consistency was the key to my preparation. Managing my time wisely helped me to ensure that I could spend sufficient time indulging in artistic hobbies as well as going for outings in order to strike a balance between my academic and personal life. I hardly missed any events because I divided my time efficiently. I also devoted a lot of time to doing paintings and sketches, as it helped me prepare for the exams, and it is also my passion.”
When asked what advice he would like to give other students preparing for JEE BArch exams, he says, “I feel it is important to start preparing in advance and be consistent. It can get very stressful and almost impossible to excel if you wait until the last minute to start studying. It also helps a lot if you start practicing the drawings in advance and on a daily basis, as they take time to master.”
He also says, “My family was a great support system and always encouraged me to do my best without making me feel pressured.” I was not at all expecting to do so well for the exam and it was a real surprise to see how well I had actually done. I was shocked at first and after I actually registered that it was not a dream, I was overjoyed to see that I had done well and could now get admissions into a good college.
Speaking of his plans for the near future, he says, “I am now trying to get admission into the School of Planning and Architecture (SPA) in Delhi, as it is one of the best architecture colleges in India. Although I haven’t chosen a definite career yet, I would like to build my career in the design field, as it has always been my passion.”
His mother, Siddhi, says, “As his mother, I am extremely proud of him and it makes me happy to see that all his hard work has finally paid off. Although we were initially sceptical of him actually attending the online coaching classes, he religiously attended them. Even when we used to go out for dinner, he would carry his earphones and attend his classes simultaneously. My husband and my other son have also been a great support system to Saharsh. Since the time he was small, he has always been passionate about art, so it was no surprise to us when he chose architecture as his future career. He spends hours together working on paintings on canvas. In Class 11, when he told us he wanted to go into architecture, we were a little hesitant, but he was firm about his decision, so we decided to support him. At a young age, he was very focused, dedicated and a bit of an introvert. When he starts something, he always makes sure to go through with it and complete it, even if it is difficult. He is also very down to earth and has not let this success get to his head. In fact, when I told him how many calls I am getting due to his tremendous results, he told me to remain grounded, as this is only the beginning and there is still a lot more he wants to achieve.”
When asked what advice she would like to give to other parents whose children are preparing for such entrance exams, she says, “As parents, we should remember that every child is different, so we should avoid comparing them to anyone else. We should understand their capabilities and help them fulfil their potential rather than pressuring them to do as well as others. I also feel that parents should make their children self-sufficient and not be overly involved in their lives. They should be given the space and freedom to understand their own capabilities and work hard on their own. I didn’t even take leave from my job during his board examinations because I knew he was capable of studying on his own, but I tried to be an emotional and mental support to Saharsh as much as possible, which is an important duty for us as parents.”
