N VAISHNAVH; SSK; IIT-Madras Computer Science: IIT – JEE AIR 70; BITSAT 402/450; AIEEE State Rank 3 (AIR 56); KVPY Fellow orientation cum selection camp attendee for International Chemistry Olympiad

If not for the intense and dedicated coaching we had at SMART, I would never have even taken IITJEE with this sincerity, let alone obtaining a rank in the top hundred. Both K.K.Anand Sir and D.P.Shankaran sir’s classes were seriously breathtaking and highly enjoyable, thanks to their clear-cut and beautiful explanations and also the continuous interaction and even hour long discussions between the students and the professor that encouraged me to think deeper. I was in love with KK sir’s Physics right from the beginning, primarily due to the ingenious techniques he employed to solve Olympiad level problems and the visualizations/ explanations that he used to convey every bit of the concept. It’s only with such a training that now I relish Physics as a piece of Cadbury’s! I will never forget how his method of teaching made me live Calculus and play around with parabolas in Quadratic Equations. His explanations are simple to understand yet so visually powerful that you can grasp ideas at ease and with interest. The tests conducted and the materials he provides/ prescribes train you to master problem-solving so skillfully that most JEE questions should seem a cakewalk, when utilized efficiently. Often I found myself learning a lot after every test – much more than whatever I had prepared. They were a driving force that kept me ahead in the race constantly, by making me adhere to a systematic schedule and finish topics unfailingly. Initially I hesitated to approach KK sir, as the atmosphere was very new to me and I found many people ahead of me with the portions they had covered already. But with time I realized he was more a friend than a professor! And with his constant encouragement, I could gather pace…Rarely was there a day I didn’t talk to him over phone toward the end, say, the last three months before JEE, to keep him updated with my preparation. As much as I adore Physics, I adore Organic Chemistry. DSP sir’s class was always filled with thought-provoking questions that he posed now and then. Such a method made me think twice about every line I assimilate. He also used to equip us with mnemonics that come in handy when in need of factual information. Not just for JEE. He used to give valuable and timely tips for the board exams too. It was very disappointing for me to mss International Physics Olympiad OCSC by just one mark. It was even more so for KK sir. Nevertheless I had memorable time in the Chemistry camp & was also able to adapt quite well to difficulty level, having had good enough training & guidance at SMART. In my viewpoint, what more is needed is only from the student’s side – with adequate hard work, sincerity and time management skills, a SMART student should undoubtedly achieve success!

DAV Matric; IIT- Madras Computer Science; IIT-JEE AIR 96; BITSAT 409/450; AIEEE State Rank 2 (AIR 24) Appeared for INPhO, INChO, INAO

It is said that unexplored opportunities are like unopened doors – you never know what could’ve been behind them. I think my lucky stars that opened the door which led me to SMART. Our KKA sir’s dedication in teaching and hard work in training has continued to inspire many, over the course of this seven year-old career; I just happen to be one among these masses. It gives me immense pleasure to be a part of this journey in my search for knowledge. I started my preparation in class 9 with KKA sir’s classes, which some may misconceive to be early, but according to me, it is the right time to develop our analytical skills and to catch up the pace required at Senior Smart Course. I was from no CBSE or ICSE, but from matriculation background. But the educational board that I was from did not matter because of the tremendous amount of input and coaching given at SMART. Unlike other institutions, KKA sir has never advised on just single set of books and has always encouraged his students to go beyond the accepted norm and standard of any subject. He has always insisted on having an in-depth knowledge of the subject, which in the present scenario, where marks are considered more prestigious than knowledge, is a rarity in itself He took a step further and shared his passion for knowledge with students like us, without which we couldn’t have scaled such heights in the various competitive exams. His unique way of teaching-posing the various situations first and then working out the problem – solving strategy as one among us and also his jovial nature made the classes extremely interesting and I found myself fervently looking forward to each and every one of his fabulous classes. DPS sir, our organic chemistry professor mesmerized us with his amazing style of teaching without which we would be floundering in the dark, wondering if A is B or B is A. The preparation that goes behind each and every class be visibly seen when we revise with our notes later, which is more than adequate and gives us a clear picture of the entire subject. Any of our doubts – be it the silliest ever possible, were cleared then and there with open enthusiasm by both our professors that helped improve the depths of student teacher relationship. The personalized attention that was given to every student, I believe, made all the differences – this is evident from the phenomenal results that SMART has been producing year after year. At the end of my four year long tenure with SMART, which, in itself is a very memorable experience to cherish, I come to understand that success is more than just studying – it is the result of the complete team work and collaboration of teachers, students and parents and I just wish that many more students benefit from SMART, which is indeed the right place for real talents!

Karthik Ramanathan ; PSBB K K NAGAR, IIT-K CSE; IIT-JEE AIR 560; BITSAT TAMILNADU TOPPER 426/450; AIEEE SR 9; CBSE 473/500

I joined SMART in class 11 and that marked the road to my transformation. From the first day, Anand sir’s classes have always had a profound impact on me due to his unique method of teaching. His way of treating advanced concepts as a consequence of several simpler and basic concepts, gave me a better grasp of various concepts. He gives due importance for all chapters and tests us separately on every chapter so that we don’t neglect any chapter. The examples he uses in class are such that it is easy for the students to relate themselves to it. His lighter way of teaching makes it easy to pay full attention in class. The assignments provided by him and the books prescribed by him are of superior quality and gives competitive edge over other students. As time progressed, I realized that Anand sir meant much more than just a teacher to me - he had soon become my friend, guide and role model. He fully understands the problems faced by students during IIT-JEE preparation and provides us with the inspiration and confidence needed to overcome them. His inspirational talks have really helped me work my way out of my moral lows. Instead of forcing things upon the students, Sir always believes in giving us full freedom and inspiring us to utilize it in the right way. Anand sir has taught me more than just Physics, Chemistry and Maths- he has taught me sincerity, hard work, dedication and determination too. DPS sir’s organic chemistry classes are extremely interesting. His classes are not restricted to individual chapters. He enjoys clearing our doubts. His regular tests and revisions kept my organic chemistry knowledge fresh throughout the two years. SMART, which according to me is the best in Chennai for its quality, provides a highly competitive environment for the students. My journey in SMART has been a unique experience for me and I believe that it will be one for every other SMART student too.