Hello, and welcome to the Forensics Digest Q & A Session. Monthly, we will interview students and experts of forensic science on a host of topics ranging from technical aspects to career soft skills.
Today I have with me, Ms. Abibsha Shekhawat, who is an alumna of Amity University and has cleared National Forensic Science University (NFSU) entrance exam this year.
Arpita : Hello Abibsha . Thank you for joining us. Let me begin by asking you about yourself and how, when, and what got you interested in Forensic Science? Tell us about your childhood and schooling.
Abibsha: Hey, Myself Abibsha Shekhawat. Talking about my Childhood, I was the one always engaged into sports and activities and did well in academics (well I think so, hahaha) but I was never a Scholar, well doesn’t even bother me now :D.
Stage has provided me confidence and platform to showcase and explore my skills and I have always utilised that and looking forward to do it more. My schooling is done from Sanskar School, Jaipur, Rajasthan. I have played nationals in Handball during my schooling. My undergraduate is from Amity University, Noida in Bachelors in Forensic Science Honors.
Then I was working in an NGO and since I was in Social work from my Senior Secondary, So gradually I realised my passion in the field now I am running an NGO on PAN India level. And I am a fitness blogger, founder at gym.paws and certified Yoga trainer. This gathers my attention to stay fit and run behind investigation, haha.
Arpita: What was your All India Rank, score/marks in the NFSU entrance exam?
Abibsha: I scored 71 marks out of 100 and my All India Rank 29th. I qualified the exam this year i.e. 2020. Although I appeared for the same in 2019 as well but hard luck and less hard work I guess.
Arpita: What made you think that Forensic Science is the career you want to pursue? Which all other entrance exams did you appear in and which all have you been able to qualify in?
Abibsha: In 10th standard when we were studying to get good marks for our future I was sure enough that I want to take science in 11th.
As I remember I guess I was in 2nd standard, my class teacher used to give us knowledge about the myths and superstition and all used to end with a scientific reason. So it was fascinating for me plus with each information given by her I used to feel more empowered. So pursing science in schooling was fixed.
But I didn’t want to be doctor or engineer typically how science students were judged by that time. So I started my research and noted down my field of interest and looked for a field which matches the same that’s how I found Forensics and for 2 years i.e. 11th and 12th I just used to google about Forensics. And No, I haven’t given any other entrance exam.
Arpita: How much time did you prepare for the exam?
Abibsha: Although the exam dates were very random but I was regular with my preparation during the lockdown period.
Plus the major credit I would like to give to Forensics Digest, to first motivate me as I myself was going through a very tough time during lockdown as most of us were and then I found a space where forensic students, professional do exist on a platform and can discuss things plus receiving notes and quizzes in such an organised way was itself a huge motivation. And the sense of belonging to the group was so optimistic that inspite the dates of exams bombarded still with your support I was so motivated and cleared NFSU.
So the support system you guys give is itself a huge huge role in success.
Plus the information you guys give related to everything around forensics then amazing quizzes which includes basic science, forensics, English even General knowledge and everything is in extremely organised way, was the support students basically look for and I found.
Also, the best support system what I have is my friends, I can call them up anytime and they are always their to help me in best possible way
Well during this period I realized I contacted lot of classmates whom I had very less conversation during Undergraduate and when I reached out to them they were so welcoming and taught me a lot of topics.
Here I would like to specially mention my best friend who has been my backbone and support system to me during the whole phase of my preparation.
And I am proud to have such nice people.
Arpita: Thank you for your kind words, we are glad we could be a part of your journey. Moving forward, tell us the challenges/difficulties you had to face during your preparation and in life during that period?
Abibsha: Challenges and difficulties first was COVID-19 which the world is still struggling but initially it was very tough phase but now when I look back I have found that it was a great time I have learned a lot.
But during exams the challenge was to gather organised notes for examination purpose and quizzes to cross check, And Thank you for being there and making it easy.
I will now keep my registration on forever so that in weekdays I learn something new and every weekend I cross check it with quizzes and regular update of job vacancy which is important and you guys deliver us spontaneously.
Arpita: How should one prepare for the NFSU entrance exam and What should be the preparation strategy for self study?
Abibsha: Well, Consistency is something which should be kept. NFSU might elaborate the entrance question field due to national recognition.
But my 2 years experience of the paper says read everything and base is something which we forget in mugging up lines but I really suggest everybody and myself to clear the base as I mean 6th-12th standard each subject not only for NFSU entrance but also they will help you in other examination.
Reading learning is must but do not forget to do quizzes and update general knowledge.
Plus my personal message will be to at least try Forensics Digest for once I believe it will be worth for you in one or other way. For me it was in all the ways.
Arpita:Tell us the complete selection procedure for NFSU. Mention stages of exams, interview, document verification etc.
Abibsha: So first the entrance examination is there, for which you first get your score and later the merit list and afterwards the document verification is done for first merit then second and goes on till the total number of seats get filled.
Arpita: Can you suggest some good books with Author names which you referred to during your preparation?
Abibsha: I was going through B.R Sharma and Richard Saferstein and Forensics Digest during my preparation.
Arpita: Any online test series you suggest?
Abibsha: Forensics Digest for sure, gives you amazing quizzes and test series. I loved them whether I know the answers or not because later when I see the answer key, the matter empowers my knowledge. Thank you!
Arpita: What are your future plans? What do you plan to do after NFSU?
Abibsha: Well future is unpredictable buy my plans are as I want to go for Ph. D after my Postgraduate and then want to work for Forensic Science Laboratory and excel in the same department and that’s where I belong! I know! 🙂
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