The second edition of JEE Main concluded on April 12. Engineering aspirants who have done well in JEE Main and are eyeing a seat in the IITs, have just crossed their first hurdle. Up next is the JEE Advanced 2019 on May 27. With just three weeks remaining remember that the most critical phase of preparation is about to begun.
Take a break of one or two days and use this time to relax. Begin with preparing a systematic, foolproof, concept-wise revision plan.
Revision
Remember, it is the quality of time spent that is important and not just the quantity. Many times, questions are asked wherein multiple concepts are interlinked and concept wise revision helps improve the quality of overall attempts.
While revising, you must pick up representative questions 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 that you studied earlier.
If you did not get time to revise your class XI syllabus before class XII Boards and/or before JEE Main, then, you must do it now as 40-45% of the questions in JEE Advanced could be from there.
This exam will consist of two three-hour question papers. Each question paper consists of three separate sections — chemistry, physics and math. The questions are objective — designed to test comprehension, reasoning and analytical abilities of the candidates. Students should revise the concepts thoroughly along with their application. In JEE Advanced, there is always a surprise element in terms of the pattern of question and its marking scheme. Focus should be to solve questions by applying reasoning and analytical skills. Students should refer to archives — JEE Advanced question paper bank of previous years. Develop a strategy for time-management in between the sections.
Mock tests
One must subscribe to a good All India Computer Based (Mock) Test Series. Such tests usually give an all-India rank by comparing students on a common platform. It is advisable to solve at least one mock test every week.
Your performances in the mock tests must be analysed, drawbacks must be identified, and steps for improvement must be prepared. So, each mock test should be followed by test analysis conducted by a subject expert. It will give you insights to an ideal approach required to do well; map it with your performance and calculate the gap.
While writing the tests, you should look at building the right exam temperament, body clock adjustment, ability to focus in various test-taking environment, and so on.
Success in JEE Advanced is directly proportional to the number of questions solved by “YOU” and NOT “solution seen by you”. Hence, you must not refer to the solution without solving a question by yourself. Give yourself sufficient time to think logically, to arrive at the solution approach. Start with conventional methods of solving, and later develop smarter and efficient ways to solve questions, to save time.
Negative marking
Every paper consists of easy, moderate and difficult questions. While solving the mock tests, develop an eye for selecting the right question. By solving the easy and moderate questions quickly, you will be able to clear the cut-off. To go to the next level, attempt difficult questions. The idea is to keep negative marks at bay.
Keep referring to quality notes prepared over the last 18 months.
To pursue the above points, you must remain physically fit and mentally focussed. Meditate to develop inner calm, self control and power of concentration. Six hours of sleep is a must.
The writer is Centre Head, FIIT JEE, New Delhi
