We are living in a society where ‘knowledge’ is power. We are now ‘facing’ the third wave of information. This includes Broadband based Internet, Radio and Cable-DTH television. The information and knowledge based industry is booming. The combination of globalisation, privatisation and information boom has led to the popularity of Journalism and Mass Communication as a profession.
An aspirant can face the challenges of the entrance examinations with proper planning. The preparation also instils confidence in her/him. It is said that if you have been given ten days to cut a tree, spend nine days to sharpen the axe so that you can cut the tree with a stroke on the tenth day. Situation is almost similar in case of an entrance examination. If entrance examination is your tree, a planned strategy is your axe. Without proper planning and preparation you are like a blunt axe. That is why a well planned and designed preparation should precede the entrance examination. This becomes imperative in view of the growing competition and need of quality in the field of journalism and mass communication.
Following points forms the basis of your planning for the entrance examination for media:
1. Area Selection: The field of media has tremendously expanded as a repercussion of information revolution. This field includes the extremes of traditional media on one hand and new media on the other. This is not necessary that the students of Journalism and Mass Communication are aware of every stream of Mass Communication. It depends upon one’s interest and capability to select a field. The selection should be very honest objective and rational. Following list of the broad areas of mass communication can help you in selecting a field:
• Print Media
• Electronic Media: Radio / TV/ Internet
• Public Relations and advertising
2. Examination Pattern: Usually following are the broad parts of entrance examination of Journalism and Mass Communication.
(a) Written Examination, (b) Group Discussion (c) Viva-voce.
(a) Written Examination: The first step, i.e. the written examination is the Iron Gate because it can ensure your fifty percent success. The aspirants of Journalism and Mass Communication should keep in mind that mere theoretical knowledge is not sufficient. It also needs developed writing skills, reasoning and analytical ability and creativity. The written examination is usually divided into two parts viz. (1) multiple choice objective questions that are based on subject matter and general knowledge (2) descriptive long questions that are meant for testing the power of expression and knowledge of the subject matter. This also needs an impressive presentation of the answers. Expression of ideas in crisp language necessitates a rich vocabulary as well as regular writing on different issues. Only then you will be able to make optimum use of your pen. The guess work or ratant vidya will not be able to fetch you success in the examination because questions can be asked on any current affairs, government’s policy or the new trends in Journalism and mass media. This requires a thorough home work.
(b) Group Discussion: The successful candidates of written examination are usually called for a group discussion (GD). The GD is a test of your communication skills especially the verbal communication. The GDs are usually conducted with a group of six to seven persons seated in a circle or horse-shoe manner. The participants are required to express their views on the given topic in their turn. A secret evaluation of each participant is conducted by the evaluator sitting in corner of the room. They evaluate participant’s language, attitude and their knowledge of the subject matter. There is a misconception about GD that the one who speaks the most, gets the maximum marks. In order to get the maximum marks participants try to speak more and thus a GD becomes a noisy fiasco. Consider the following directives for a healthy GD:
Taking initiative in GD is considered to be positive.
Express your self in an objective and balanced manner.
You should neither speak too less nor too much.
Give chance to other participants. You can take initiative to moderate the process e.g. if
Somebody is speaking much and others are not getting chance, you can intervene and request the person to give chance to others (at times there are extra marks for this effort). This initiative will ensure an equal participation.
Use decent language.
Do not loose temper.
Try to conclude the discussion within the time frame. Remind time constraint to other participants and a conclusion should also come out at the end of the discussion.
You attitude, gesture, posture and behaviour are noticed during a GD. So, please be careful of all these aspects by following the discipline.
(c) Interview: Interview is the final stoppage of your journey. Proper preparation for an effective interview is equally important as it is for written examination and GD. Interview reflects your reflects your communication skills, your dressing sense, presence of mind and all other external attributes of your personality. Follow these instructions for your success in the interview.
Reach the venue before the scheduled time.
Your dress should be decent, neat and clean.
Arrange the photocopies of your testimonials in a display file.
Do not forget to have a look at newspaper of the day.
Enter the interview room only after taking permission from the persons inside.
Greet all the members of interview board together and not one-by-one.
Do not sit unless you are told to.
Sit straight.
Avoid signs of tension like coughing, clearing the throat, wiping of sweat etc.
Try to build up confidence within you.
Listen patiently to the interviewers. If you do not understand a particular point or question, request the interviewer to repeat it.
Interviewers are usually experts of their subjects. So, do not try to misguide them by giving a wrong answer. If you do not know the answer of a question, tell it honestly.
There should be a natural smile on your face while answering the question. Your face should not reflect tension.
Thank the members of the interview board once you are permitted to leave the room.
Do not forget to close the door after going out but without making a noise. This will give a finishing touch to your interview.
How to study
You need thorough preparations for the aforesaid steps of the entrance examinations. For this you require information through different modes and mediums so that you can make use of those pieces of information as per your need in the examination. Follow these steps:
Read different newspapers and magazines in order to update your knowledge on current affairs.
Listen to radio programmes and watch different TV channels for acquainting yourself on the latest trends of electronic media.
Do not forget to keep a basic knowledge of internet because your knowledge of media is incomplete without this fast growing medium.
Surf popular websites related to media. You can try the following websites: www.bbc.co
www.timesofindia.com, www.newsonair.com, www.tehelka.com, www.indiatoday.com, etc.
Almost all the newspapers print their websites on their front page. You can search those websites as well.
You can develop the insight of current affairs on the basis of the following categories.
National happenings/ persons of National importance.
International happenings/ persons of international importance.
International relations of India
Current national/state level campaigns.
Current controversies/ success in the field of media.
Current developmental projects/ programmes of government.
Political scenario of the country.
India in the sports world.
Recently released films/ books.
Following categorisation will help you in preparing specifically for media:
Changes occurred in electronic and print media.
Present trends of advertisement.
Analysis of soap operas especially in the context of their impact on the society.
Focus on new genre of TV programmes like reality shows, interactive programmes, game shows etc.
In the examination hall:
Before answering questions try to acquaint yourself with all the questions.
Before attempting a long answer prepare its profile in your mind. The profile should consist of three parts: 1) Introduction of the subject matter (2) main body based on analysis / description (3) Conclusion.
Do not repeat a fact or a sentence or a word.
Do not expend extra time on a particular question. Try to allot equal time for each question.
Adhere to the word limit.
In order to act upon these points take the following tips into consideration:
(a) Knowledge of the subject matter
Print media
Radio and TV
TV and Video production
Digital and web journalism
Advertising and PR
Journalism and mass communication
(b) Current affairs
National
International
Sports
Film, theatre, books
Trade and Commerce
Famous and notorious personalities
International defence treaties/ Nuclear treaties
Political upheavals
Important Educational Institutions and Type of Courses:
1. Indian Institute of Mass Communication
Major Courses:
Journalism (English), New Delhi And Dhekanal (Orrisa) – 40 seats
Journalism (Hindi), New Delhi – 40 seats.
Advertising and Public Relations, New Delhi – 40 seats
Radio and TV Journalism – 25 seats
Qualification: Graduation in any subject. Candidates appearing for the final examination of their graduation can also appear in the entrance examination.
Address: Indian Institute of Mass Communication, JNU Campus, Aruna Asaf Ali Road, New Delhi –110 067, Phone: 011-26109268
2.Amity School of Communication, NOIDA
Major courses:
Bachelor of Mass Communication (Graduation Level)
Post graduation in Advertising and Marketing Management
Post graduation in Journalism and Communication
Address: Amity Campus, Sector 44, NOIDA
Amity Helpline: Monday- Friday 1800-11-00-00
e-mail:admissions@amity.edu
3.Indian Institute of Journalism and New Media, Bangalore
Major Courses:
One year Pos graduate Diploma in TV, Radio, Print and Web Journalism
One year Diploma in TV, Radio, Print and Web Journalism
Part time certificate courses
Address: 316, 5th Cross, HRB Layout, Third Block, Kalyan Nagar post, Bangalore-560043
4. K.J. Somaiya Institute of Journalism and Mass Communication, Mumbai.
Major Courses:
One-year PG Diploma in Journalism
Address: Vidya Vihar Mumbai. Website: www.somaya.edu
5. Symbiosis Institute of Communication, Pune
Major Courses:
(a) Two-years PG Diploma in following streams:
• Mass Communication
• Communication Management
(b) Following full-time two-years PG Diploma:
• Journalism (Print, Broadcast and Cyber Media)
• Audio-Visual Production (Radio Communication, TV Production, Advertising and documentary film production and film studies)
• Advertising (customer care, account planning, media and creative – art and copy)
• Public relation, corporate communication and event management
(c) One-year PG diploma in Journalism through correspondence
(d) Short-term certificate courses in TV writing (fiction)
Address: Senapati Bapat road, Pune- 411 004. E-mail: contactus@simc.edu
Website: www.simc.edu
6. Sri Sri centre for media studies, Bagalore:
Major Courses:
• P.G.Diploma in Journalism
Address: No. 19, 39-A, cross road, 11-main road, 4th ‘T’ Block, Jay Nagar, Bangalore – 560 041. E-mail: info@sscms.org
7. Manorama School of Communication, Kottayam.
Major Courses:
• PG Diploma in Journalism
Address: Masscom, No.229, Kottayam-686001
8. Xavier Institute of Communication, Mumbai
Major Courses:
• Public Relations and Corporate Communication
• Advertising and Marketing
• Television and Video Production (Digital Media)
• Journalism and Mass Communication
Address: St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai-400 001
E-mail: pr@xaviercomm.org
9. Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi
Major Courses:
• PG diploma in TV journalism
• Diploma in Mass Media and Creative Writing
Apart from these institutes, central universities like Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Allahabad University, Allahabad, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, Osmania University, Hyderabad, Delhi University, Delhi and other state universities also conduct various courses in Journalism and Mass Communication. Some universities have included a special paper of Journalism in their M.A. curriculum.
The admission notices of the above mentioned Institutions starts appearing in the newspapers/website usually from February onwards. One must keep track of leading National Dailies, Employment News and websites for the exact dates of entrance/ filling up of forms etc.