Get into AKU! - Aga Khan University

A follower of my blog recently asked me how to prepare for the English, Math reasoning and Science reasoning portion of the test and I think it's imperative that I offer my advice on these subjects as well. So here goes: (This post is for English, a post for Math Reasoning and Science Reasoning is coming out very soon as well) Here's a link to my post on how to prepare for the 3 Science Sections:  http://getintoaku.blogspot.com/2017/11/entry-test-prep-resources-for.html First off, you need to realize that each of these portions are equally important as the three science subject tests. I will be extremely honest, having aced these three portions is the only reason i was able to clear the entrance test, so yeah try to do well here. Having said that, you must also know that these three portions are much much easier than the science subject tests so you will be spending most (if not all) of your time preparing for physics, Chem and Bio. Let us dive into the English paper now....

I have mentioned here the textbooks and resources I used, along with ones I feel are most suitable for use in order to prepare for the AKU Entry Test. I have based my choices and preferences after carefully matching their content with the AKU test Syllabus. First off, if you intend on start studying for AKU's Entrance Test you must know at least an overview of the syllabus of the Entry Test so that you are aware of the content, topics you have done and ones you haven't. Click here for the Test Syllabus. Now let's go over the books: NOTE: I found out after I had cleared my tests, that there are "AKU Exam Board" Textbooks available in the market, basically books that students in grades 11 and 12 studying in the AKU board use for their academics. Now, I haven't done a whole lot of research, but I do know that the "Entry Test Syllabus" is basically the curriculum of the AKU board academic system, so I feel safe to assume that these books ought to...

It was around this time last year when the thought of AKU really seriously hit me, and curiosity arose as to what should my plan be from here on in order to ensure my admission into the university. I feel that a lot of students will start, already have been, or soon will start to think about this. I hope to answer this question through this post. Question: What should I be doing in November-December, with around half a year remaining for me to undergo the entire AKU admission process? My Answer: 1. FOCUS ON YOUR ONGOING STUDIES: Whether you're an A level student, an intermediate FSC student of any board across Pakistan or an international student studying in a different board, your priority for now must be to continue studying in your respective academic circle and try your best to do the best you can in them. This time of the year is usually for the mid-term assessments, so study for those, and then continue studying for your final exams. Getting a good grade in you...

Below are the links to the entry test syllabus, for each of Physics, Chemistry and Biology. I'd suggest you print these out and give each of them a read, just to identify how much of the syllabus you've never touched and how much you have come across at some point in your studies. DO NOT START STUDYING FOR THE ENTRY TEST!!! Just go through the syllabus and match it with your current studies.  The Syllabuses will open in a new window: Biology Syllabus Chemistry Syllabus  Physics Syllabus My next post will be on the paper pattern, marks and details of the test!

Here’s an overview for A Level Students about what’s in store for you in your upcoming future up until you secure admission into the Aga Khan University Inshallah. Considering you’re reading this in November, here’s how things will probably be going for you: Continue studying for your mid-terms, then your mocks and then your A Level exams Involve yourself in various extracurricular activities, such as debates, music, art and literature, writing, sports, Olympiads and intra and interschool competitions.   Receive, collect and compile ALL certificates you have received (Academic as well as Extracurricular) and keep them safe. These will be extremely useful for you when you clear the test Inshallah, so make sure you’re not looking for them everywhere when the time comes. Give mid-terms. Get your O level Equivalencies made. Get this done early so you’re not worrying at the end in case there’s any kind of delay. This will also help you get familiar with the equivalency process f...

This post (and the previous one) solely contains the questions I was asked in each of my interviews. It does not contain my preparation for the interview, feelings, emotions, a step by step series of events or my answers. All of these will come up in a much much more detailed future post. For now here's the questions I was asked in my second interview: Interview 2 - Female interviewer   ( Interview 1 ) 25-30 minutes long (this one was much shorter than the first one)  Is this your first or second interview? Tell me a bit about yourself? You're into sports, tell me more about it. Why do you want to study at AKU? Everybody know's AKU is among the best, what's your one greatest reason? And why do you think you are suitable for AKU? What do you think you can offer to AKU? Tell me about your friends. Do you have any problems dealing with people/friends/students of the opposite gender? Tell me about your previous institution. How did it help you grow as a pers...

This post (and the next one) solely contains the questions I was asked in each of my interviews. It does not contain my preparation for the interview, feelings, emotions, a step by step series of events or my answers. All of these will come up in a much much more detailed future post. For now here's the questions I was asked in my first interview: Interview 1 - Male interviewer  ( Interview 2 ) 40-45 minutes long interview (really didn't realise it had been that long until after the interview) "So tell me about yourself, nothing fancy, just your name, education and details of your family". (He really did specify it out for me, so no fancy "tell me about yourself" answers) What do you do apart from your academics? What are your achievements in that sport? (i talked about this sport while answering qs 2) How long do spend playing/practising named sport? Any other sports you play? So why did you pick "named sport"? Tell me about a time when ...