Question

What would you suggest to a student if while performing an experiment he finds that the pointer of the ammneter and voltmeter do not coincide with zero

Answer 1

Either we suggest them to adjust it to zero so that

pointer of ammeter and  voltmeter coincide with zero

with the adjusting switch.

or

we can suggest him to note down the pointer reading before starting the experiment

and reduce the noted reading from ammeter and voltmeter obtained reading

and then use the values for experiment calculations.