How to Prepare for Multiple M.Sc-Ph.D Math Entrances ~ Aniruddha Bhattacharjee

Learn from the Achiever - Aniruddha Bhattacharjee (TIFR-CAM Entrance, ISI MMath Entrance, CMI MSc (Maths) Entrance, NBHM PhD scholarship)

Aniruddha Bhattacharjee's Success Story

Aniruddha Bhattacharjee has cracked the TIFR-CAM entrance, ISI MMath entrance, CMI MSc (Maths) entrance and selected for NBHM Ph.D. scholarship in 2022.

He shared with us how he prepared for these Entrances in an interview with Cheenta. This interview will take you through the preparation journey of Aniruddha for multiple MSc-PhD Math Entrances 2022 and can help you with some insights that you can utilize for your preparation.

Here are some of the questions, that he answered in the interview.

Tell us about yourself.

I am Aniruddha Bhattacharjee, B.Sc (Hons.) Math Student from BESC, Kolkata. I recently cracked TIFR-CAM entrance, ISI MMath entrance, CMI MSc (Maths) entrance and selected for NBHM PhD scholarship.

I am interested in reading, chess and football, apart from Maths. Maths, for me, frees my mind in ways I haven't experienced earlier. Lots to explore, lots to learn.

How did you prepare for these M.Sc Ph.D Math Entrances?

I regularly practiced sums from previous-year papers and books, for the most part. Trying to solve papers within the stipulated time duration is also a healthy practice, followed by giving deep thought (without any short time stipulation) to the unanswered questions.

Can you suggest some resources (books, YouTube channels and websites) that had helped you in your preparation?

The books which helped me a lot in my preparation were:

Kaczor, Nowak / Rudin (Analysis problems);
Dummit, Foote (Abstract algebra);
Friedburg, Insel, Spence (Linear algebra);
Marsden, Weinstein, Tromba (Multivariate calculus).

The websites which helped me a lot in my preparation were:

Stack Exchange,
Yutsumura,
Mathema

What are you planning next?

I am preparing my academic foundation for a PhD programme, and then hopefully will become a professor!

Any advice for the current aspirants?

Preparing for exams of this standard is no laughing matter. It can be gruelling at times, almost burnout-ish. In fact, considering that the exam phase stretches from December of the final year (of BSc) to the following June, I was experiencing massive burnout from the beginning of November. That is when I started to dabble in fields (pun intended!) beyond the regular domain (again intended) of the exams, to ensure I don't overwork myself and can maintain full focus on the task at hand.

There's another very important lesson I learnt in the exam-phase. Performance in the early exams in the phase does not dictate how the later ones will turn out. Instead, even if some early exams do not go as expected, keep in mind that they still serve as what I call 'live exam warmups', training yourself in the exam mindset. This is of humongous significance when the later exams, and moreover the interviews, arrive. Good luck!

How Cheenta helped you in your preparation?

Faculty at Cheenta has always targeted my weakness and aimed to make me self-sufficient there, while honing my strengths further. Topics like abstract algebra and multivariable calculus, in which I haven't always had the best time studying, no longer intimidate me at first sight; instead, I've been studying more algebra owing to the 2 research track programs I was allowed to join! And above all, after an academic crisis in my life 3 years back, Ashani Sir placed substantial faith in a boy who had hit rock-bottom. That faith has always been a massive source of mental fortitude for me, enabling me to reach the position I'm in today, and I'll ever be grateful for it. Thank you sir!

Cheenta has been an integral part of my academic growth, and I hope Cheenta keeps growing tenfold in the years to come!