Home   |  Issues  |  The Daily Star Home

 

 

 

 

Study Buddies

DU admission test prep 1


This year students will have to face a hard competition in seeking admission to DU as a record number passed this year's HSC exams. More than three thousand students secured GPA-5 compared to only 20 last year, which means that the admission exams are going to see a battle of epic proportions, with so many more contenders. The Dhaka University (DU) is the first choice for most of the Humanities and Commerce students and the second or third choice for the most Science students. It can enroll only around 4600 students in an academic year. So, dear DU hopefuls, you can well imagine the competition. Fear not; keep Study Buddies at your side, and we'll tell you all you need to know for that winning edge. So let's start off with the basic structure of the admissions process.

There are basically five units.
Ka unit for Science group
Kha unit for Humanities group
Ga unit - for Commerce group
Gha unit for those who want to change groups
Umo unit for admission in the Faculty of Law only

The Gha and Umo units are open for all. Before you start grabbing those forms though, first of all let us know about the pros and cons of getting into DU.

Pros- DU is the most prestigious public university in Bangladesh and its tuition fee is quite low as opposed to what's demanded by the shiny private unis. In a private university worth its salt, you will have to pay around two lakh takas a year for your educational expenses. At DU your educational expenses are hardly two thousand a year excluding your text books and other paraphernalia. You are entitled to pay only two percent of your total educational expenses.

Cons- a.) Session Jam! DU session jams are worse than the traffic jam you experienced last winter at the Kanchpur bridge while returning from your annual picnic with your mother and (big) brother howling on your cell phone for you to come home soon. So if time is precious to you then you better think twice before getting into the DU soup. The most stringent academic calendar in DU is one year behind schedule. And in the worst case it is stretched to two years. You will be facing at least a one-year lag from your friends in the private universities from your very first year.

b.) Another problem of studying in DU is that it is the hotbed of the political activities in this country. After twelve in the afternoon, the campus (mainly the Arts Building) turns into a political meeting and procession ground and sometimes into a battlefield. If you are inside any building then you can enjoy a free Bollywood show from a safe distance. If you are outside, though, at that time, you may have to run for your dear life.

So buddies, it is time you make up your mind whether you want to save time or money.

DU admission test prep 2

Judging by the pros and cons you are now decided about whether you want to proceed with the DU or not. If you are still with us then let us first inform you about the requirements for the different units.

Ka unit GPA(SSC)+GPA(HSC)= minimum 7
Kha unit GPA(SSC)+GPA(HSC)= minimum 6
Ga unit GPA(SSC)+GPA(HSC)= minimum 6 (less than C in any business subject is Not allowed)
Gha unit GPA(SSC)+GPA(HSC)= minimum 7 (Science/Home Economics) = minimum 6 (Humanities/Commerce)
Umo unit = same as Gha unit

The requirements for GCE/O Level, A Level are below (for all units).
GCE/O Level passed in 5 subjects (min)
A Level (2002/2003) passed in 2 subjects (min)
Out of the 7 subjects you will have to have at least 3Bs, 3Cs and 1D.

Your academic result and the score in the admission test are both important. If you have a high GPA like 9 or 10 then certainly you have an edge but if you are on a borderline of 6 or 7 then you will have to go all out in the admission test.

Admission test- in the test all the questions will be of the MCQ type and will follow the HSC syllabus. There will be 100 questions each bearing 1.2 which means the total number is 120. The pass mark is 48 which you will have to surpass by a high margin.

Merit list- the merit list is prepared out of 200. You do not have to top the merit list to get your desired subject. All you have to do is to remain within the first 100 students in the merit list. It is a bit tough when you are going to compete with around twelve thousand students. Now let us see the formation of the merit list. The percentage of the GPAs and test scores are below.
GPA(SSC) 15%
GPA(HSC) 25%
Test score 60%
           ----------
             100%

How the merit list is sorted:
GPA(SSC)x6+GPA(HSC)x10+admission test score(out of 120)= your merit list score in case of GCE O Level and A Level:
GPA(GCE/O Level)x6+GPA(A Level)x10+admission test score= your merit list score

Tips and tricks- there is no trick for doing well in the exam and the only tip is to study everything in your HSC text books. Looking for loopholes can spell Armageddon for you in the exam hall.

Coaching centres- There's no managing without them. You can get admitted to a reputed coaching centre to help you prepare. Choose one which takes regular classes and offers many model tests. By attending the model tests you can prepare yourself for the real deal.

Admission form- the admission form costs around Tk 300. It is not available yet.

The date of the application and exam is yet to be announced. Next week we will go in-depth with your prep plans.

By Durdana Ghias


Chasing the sun

'The sky is her blue eyes begin to open,
The storm is upon me, I'm chasing the sun.
She's got me down on my knees, trying to crawl
Through all of the winter, through of the fall
She's like a sweet summer day and I can't let her go to waste.'
-The Calling, "Chasing the sun'

When I was a child, I had often wanted to learn drawing. Of course, when I finally started to learn drawing (mind you I started learning how to draw during my mentioned childhood), I realised how dull I found practising the art of drawing. When I grew up (this incident took place when I was 12) I realised that my talent lay in another field of art - writing.

Although, not an ounce of me regrets the fact that I didn't learn to draw, I have to admit that had I learnt drawing or painting, I would have oil-painted a masterpiece. The masterpiece would comprise of a very simple image. The image would have the silhouette of a little country girl in it; she would have tanned thin sinews that would be full of motion. Above this little country girl would the blue sky where the sun would hide behind slightly gray clouds. And I would call this oil painting "Chasing the sun" (how subtle).

The girl in the painting is actually a representation of myself (although I assure you that I am city-girl who is not at all thin). The girl in the painting is trying to hold onto the charm of summer.

To me the painting depicts a girl and her love for a season that I believe most Bengalis hold dear in their heart. After all, it was the Bengali poet Rabrindranath Tagore who wrote the famous song 'Esho ei Boishakh' which welcomes the summer season.

I love sunny days, or more accurately sunny mornings. In summer, the gentle(?) heat persuades me to awaken and enjoy my favourite time of the day. While I might deny this vehemently on a typical afternoon when the electricity visits its in-laws, I adore the summer season. I don't know why but I have an unmatched love for summer days. They have certain incomparable warmth, which I believe reflects the hospitality and warmth of our people.

Of course, some people cannot enjoy the season's delight in our beloved Dhaka. What other than heat can worsen the pollution of this darling city? I guess summer has its bad sides. Like the increase in electricity bills. Everybody with an AC or fan in Dhaka will know what I mean.

But summer had grown on me ever since the night I heard the sound of my neighbours furiously banging against the tin roof to ward off the bats who were partying near mango tree in their house. Well actually, I didn't get any sleep that night and to be very frank I didn't appreciate the dishonesty and immorality of the bats nor do I condone my neighbours' distaste for peace and quiet.

The coming of summer also brings about a delightful part of student life- the summer vacation. It is during these summer vacations that all of us students vow to not let this leisure go to waste with sleeping, eating, watching TV and surfing the net. Of course, my generation is also known to be flighty and therefore such vows should not be taken seriously. However, there are people who take up extra-curricular activities such karate, swimming, drawing, singing and dancing during summer vacation. These kids sure know that they won't be getting the comfort of practising such extracurricular during schooldays.

Summer has an undeniable charm. It is the embodiment of life at its prime; it reflects youth, vivacity and rashness. It is also the season when the need for deodorant is at its prime.

Perhaps, my deep love for summer is a reflection of my 'probol ghrinna' for winter. I've always loved taking showers. There is nothing like a good refreshing shower. At the end of a shower, there is a lovely feeling of cleanliness and refreshment. There is nothing like the cold water pouring down on you to relieve the stress from heat among other things.

However during winter I'm prevented from indulging in my one of top ten favourite activities because of the delightful cold weather. Despite the preparations of hot water during the winter season, I don't want to take a bath because the idea of having to shed my sweater annoys me. The winter is cold, uninviting and depressing. The dullness of its morning can only match that of a rainy afternoon (and morning, and evening and also probably the night). During winter, my bed assumes certain coldness despite being endowed with a blanket and a bed sheet. In winter, one of my top three favourite activities loses it charm (ironically, during winter I prefer to spend more than two-fourths of my day snoozing). Oh how inviting and pleasant this winter season be!

Of course, there is a more serious reason to why I dislike the winter season. It was during winter when my dear grandfather passed away. May he rest in peace.

Winter is nearing and I feel my heart sink at thought of all traces of my dear season slipping away in the shadows of the cold. I will think of how I will not let the days of my summer vacation go to waste this time when the cold becomes harsh. Of course, when my nerves do not feel my dear season, I shall plug in the earplugs of my Discman and listen to The Calling sing 'Chasing the sun'. I will listen to virile voice of Alex Band sing the need for summer days and how it is the time that we can't let to waste. After all, I too will be chasing the sun.

By Saqiba Aziz


Campus News

Mastermind community service club


“A small step of man, a giant leap for mankind' Master Mind community service club (MMCSC) has put these words of knowledge to action. On 16 October, MMCSC visited the CRP (Center for rehabilitation for the paralyzed) in Savar to stretch its helping hand to those who are in desperate need of it. It was their third visit there. Their goal is to find out the ins and outs of the problems faced by the disabled, and help them accordingly.

At first, they visited the women's project where physically disabled females are trained to be rehabilitated in a normal life by being productive even though being paralyzed. They learn to rehabilitate themselves so as not to be a burden on society. Till date, MMCSC has given donations of clothes for the female trainees. MMCSC worked on both the metal and wood workshops, and at the CRP's nursery. The students assisted in making devices for the patients.

MMCSC has also contributed in the National Vaccination Program before. Their goal is to help in its true sense. For that, they are donating both time and money. They have a plan to lend a hand in arts and crafts at the women's project. Arranging sports related activities for the students of the special school is also a part of the project. At the same time, they are collecting money to sponsor poor patients. It is indeed a deed of appreciation. MMCSC is setting up a pathway of assistance for others to follow.

By Maherin Ahmed

 

 


 
 

home | Issues | The Daily Star Home

© 2003 The Daily Star