The country’s most coveted engineering entrance exam— the gateway to IIT’s is scheduled on 21 May.

With JEE Main, students have just crossed the first hurdle towards their goal. If they have done well, and are eyeing a seat, then the most critical phase of their journey has begun.

It’s all about shifting gear to the next level in terms of learning, fine tuning of acquired skills, harnessing capabilities, monitoring of strengths and weaknesses, plugging of loopholes, assessing national level standing, ensuring of output maximisation and above all optimising available time.

It is strongly advisable to begin with a systematic study and concept-wise revision plan hence one must devote half a day to prepare a full proof study plan.

This exam is viewed as a selection process as it selects the best out of the best. Understandably so, the competition is expected to be stiff and virtually allowing no room for any kind of slippages. Hence a methodical approach at every step of preparation is of paramount importance.

Here are few pointers:

• During revision, remember it is the quality of time spent that is important and not just the quantity. You must engage in concept wise revision. If you revise concept wise then chances of inadvertently missing out on anything is minimal thus improving the quality of overall attempts.
• While revising, you must pick up representative problems specific to a concept or chapter and solve them. As a result, while solving a question you will be reminded of certain concepts or techniques studied earlier and hence other related things will get refreshed in your mind.
• If you did not get sufficient time to revise Class XI syllabus before Class XII board exam then you must do it now as 40 to 45 per cent of the questions in JEE Advanced could be from Class XI syllabus.
• This exam will consist of two question papers, each of three hours duration. Both the question papers will consist of three separate sections on chemistry, physics and mathematics. It will be of objective type, designed to test comprehension, reasoning and analytical ability of candidates. It is a lot more conceptual based paper hence one needs to revise concepts thoroughly along with its application. Moreover, JEE Advanced is known to come up with surprise element(s), every year which impacts a student’s performance. Hence, questions must be solved by applying your reasoning and analytical ability.
• One must subscribe to a good All India Level Mock Test Series. This will help to assess their skills at the national level. You must solve at least one All India Mock Test every week.
•  Prepare an action plan to narrow the gap. Implement the newly formed strategy in the next All India Mock Tests. Subject wise weak areas needs to be identified and revisit those concepts all over again to plug loopholes.
• Develop strategy for time management in between the sections of different subjects.
• While writing the tests you should look at building the right exam temperament, adjust body clock, develop ability to focus in various test-taking environments, etc.
• Keep concept clarity at all times, there should not be any room for any kind of doubts. One should underline those keywords while reading the question. Once a student is able to decipher those keywords then they would be able to have absolute concept clarity on how to solve them.
• Success in JEE Advanced is directly proportional to the number of questions solved and not “solution seen by you”. Hence, you must not refer to solution without solving a question by yourself. Give sufficient time to think logically and analytically to develop a solution approach to a problem.
• Questions selection is extremely crucial. Every paper consists of easy, moderate and difficult questions. Hence while solving mock test develop an eye for selecting the right questions. By quickly solving the easy and moderate questions will enable you to clear the cutoff easily. To go the next level attempting difficult ones would be the key. Idea is to keep negative marks at bay. This will automatically create a huge difference with the majority of students as they would be randomly picking up negative marks.
• Keep referring to high quality notes prepared over the last couple of years.
• One must remain physically fit and mentally focussed. Hence practice meditation to develop inner calm, self control and power of concentration. Do not overstress/overstretch yourself and late night study must be avoided. Include physical activity in your daily schedule to remain fit and to maintain the right energy level.​​​​​​

The writer is Director, FIITJEE, Punjabi Bagh