Every engineering aspirant who appears for the Joint Entrance Examination aims to get selected for premier institutions such as the Indian Institutes of Technology, National Institutes of Technology, Indian Institutes of Information Technology and other centrally-funded technical institutions. With over 12 lakh students across the nation vying for a seat in 17 IITs, this exam is a tough nut to crack and only the ones who manage to achieve the required cut off are eligible for the next level exam.

The competition is intense, and many often do not secure their desired rank in the first attempt. Since aspirants are given a maximum of two attempts, it is important for droppers and repeaters to make the best use of their second opportunity. A systematic exam-oriented preparation can prove beneficial and following the right kind of preparation can yield excellent results. It is expected to have finished their concept-building phase and have mastered all areas of the competitive test. With just a month in hand, students are required to devise a stronger action plan to crack. While it isn’t easy to memorise and grasp all the lessons in a short span of time, cracking the competitive exam with a well-planned strategy is not an unattainable feat. 

Here are a few tips to attempt the competitive exam for the second time:

Improvise your study pattern and materials: As you are already aware of the syllabus to be covered for the exam, it becomes easier for you to take your preparation to the next level. It is advisable not to enroll for the same tuition classes or stick to the same study materials. Even if you do so, ensure they are well updated in the study pattern and techniques. This can help you gain a broader perspective of the syllabus and make it easier for you to crack the exam. You may choose to engage with the earlier institute through a distance programme as well.

Time management plays a crucial role: Do not be complacent or overconfident about your preparations. Time management is of the essence in JEE preparations. Jot down all the equations, make notes about the more difficult topics, and solve as many questions as possible. Address any confusion related to important concepts, as and when it arises. Prepare a study plan for the syllabus and follow it religiously, as it can help you stick to your preparation timetable. 

Give it a fresh approach: As you are preparing for the second time, it is advisable to follow a different study pattern to break the monotony. Instead of starting from chapter one, devise a new approach to your studies. You can re-jig also your schedule and preparation module to revamp your studying pattern and tackle your syllabus with a fresh perspective.

There is no shortcut for revision: Revision cannot be skipped. There are no shortcuts that can do away with the need for periodic revisions. The best way to achieve it would be to solve sufficient question papers and mock tests. Follow the time limit and try to crack two to three tests in a day. Such dedicated revision will help you to identify your mistakes and rectify them, while also improving your speed and problem solving ability. Create small notes for quick revision to save time during the final preparation.

Work hard but adopt smarter techniques: In your first attempt, despite all the preparation, you were still not completely prepared for what to expect at JEE (Main). Make the best use of your second attempt and employ smarter preparation techniques. Since time plays a crucial role for this competitive exam, try to grasp quicker ways of solving the paper. Learn shortcut techniques and simpler methods of solving problems, and practice them enough times to make them an intrinsic part of your approach. Adopting a smarter preparation strategy can help you translate all your hard work into tangible results.

The writer is Director, Aakash Educational Services Pvt Ltd