Anand Kumar at the exam venue in Kumhrar on Sunday. Telegraph picture

The solve-and-win contest organised by Ramanujam School of Mathematics on Sunday acted as the perfect teaser to test the competence level of 1,600 students in mathematics, physics and chemistry.

Students from different colleges and schools took part in the contest, which was held at the Kumhrar address of the school, which runs the Super 30 programme, which searches 30 meritorious talents from among the economically backward sections of the society and shapes them to crack the entrance to the country’s most prestigious institution – the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT).

The huge response saw the test being held in three shifts, the first starting 9am.

Students from classes X to XII had to answer 30 brain-teasing conceptual questions in objective format. Students from not only rural background but also from premier institutions in the state capital, such as Notre Dame Academy, took part in the contest.

Sonali Saran, a Class XI student from Notre Dame Academy, Patna, said: “The test was good, as the questions asked were mainly set from our syllabus. It was a fairly good experience. The best part was that the test helped us realise our calibre and potential and showed us how well we have prepared for our forthcoming examination. Students from urban as well as rural background took part.”

Apart from students of Patna, the examinees came from as far as Jehanabad, Arwal, Champaran, Muzaffarpur and other parts of the state.

Examinees attributed the good turnout to the absence of eligibility criteria for the test and nominal test fee of Rs 10 per student.

Saurav Kumar, a student of BN Collegiate School, Patna, said: “Before we face engineering entrance tests, such as the IIT, these examinations judge the students’ conception of subjects.”

Saurav, the son of a farmer in Jehanabad, added that the questions asked in the test were from all segments of physics, chemistry and mathematics.

Super 30 founder Anand Kumar said he was quite happy to see the response of the students. “I had not expected so many students to turn up at such a short notice. It was mainly organised to develop scientific temper among the students and bring the subjects closer to them. When the students enjoy these subjects, they would learn it,” he added.

The results of the test would be declared on Monday and the same evening, the successful students would get prizes from Anand Kumar at the book fair.