Tips to crack IIT-JEE in your first attempt

Tips to crack IIT-JEE 2010 IIT-JEE is the cherished dream of scores of Class 12 students across India. With less than four months to go for IIT-JEE 2010, preparations for the examination are sure to be turning frenetic. The best way to deal with the pressure and the high expectations is through proper planning. Divide available time between the three subjects. Make a time schedule, chapter-wise and topic-wise. Make summary notes/ points to remember of all concepts topic/chapter-wise and flag the questions which are tricky or call for analytical skills. This will help in quick revision a couple of days before or even on the eve of examination. Students, who have to simultaneously prepare for the Class 12 board exams and IIT-JEE, should start concentrating on Class 12 portions and the corresponding IIT-JEE chapters about 21 days before the board examination. However, the flame should be kept burning even for Class 11 chapters by way of revision till the start of the board exams. After the board examinations, focused and concentrated revision of both Class 11 and Class 12 portions should be undertaken. The right approach for those attempting the examination for the first time is to be loyal to one source. Don’t hope to read all the books/study material flooding the market. Study packages, IIT-JEE archives, review packages, workbooks, AITS/AIITS series offered by FIITJEE are good starting points. Take a short break of 5-10 minutes after every hour of serious study. Complete relaxation during the break will recharge your batteries for another intensive spell of serious study. Pay attention to specifics In Physics, Chemistry & Mathematics, students are advised to avoid selective study. The number of questions being large and the question papers being objective, all topics are likely to be covered by the examiners. The JEE syllabus is almost completely based on Class 11 and Class 12 portions. The complete syllabus with all chapters and topics is available on the website http://www.iitjee. org. The JEE syllabus of Class 11 and Class 12 contributes about 45 per cent and 55 per cent of the IIT-JEE question papers, respectively. While preparing for Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics, take time to study the following. Mathematics: Quadratic Equations & Expressions, Complex Numbers, Probability, Vectors, Matrices in Algebra; Circle, Parabola, Hyperbola in Coordinate Geometry; Functions, Limits, Continuity and Differentiability, Application of Derivatives, Definite Integral in Calculus. Physics: Mechanics, Fluids, Heat and Thermodynamics, Waves and Sound, Capacitors and Electrostatics, Magnetics, Electromagnetic Induction, Optics and Modern Physics. Chemistry: Qualitative Analysis, Coordination Chemistry and Chemical Bonding in Inorganic Chemistry, Electrochemistry, Thermodynamics, Chemical Equilibrium in Physical Chemistry and Organic Chemistry. Need for speed During practice sessions, develop speed in working out the problems. The strategy of solving questions, starting from the fundamentals, will spark thinking processes which are essential to enhance and master analytical skills with conceptual understanding. Aim for 100 per cent hit rate. This will give you a competitive edge. Speed and accuracy will also allow you to finish the IIT-JEE papers ahead of time, leaving you with time for revision. Stay calm & focused Exercise and meditation every day will help you to develop inner calm, confidence and the power of concentration needed for success in an examination like IIT-JEE. This will be of immense help on the day of the examination. Students have a tendency to overwork just prior to the examination, thereby wearing out themselves. A minimum of 5-6 hours of sleep every night is necessary to stay physically fit and mentally alert. The strategy in the examination hall is to keep cool and have faith. It is advisable to reach the examination centre at least 20 minutes before the commencement of the exam. Take a few deep breaths in the hall to keep nervousness at bay. Instructions given on the question paper should be read and followed very carefully. Do not spend more than 45 minutes on any of the subjects. Prioritise after a concentrated and quick reading of the paper and start answering the questions you are confident about; move progressively to ones in ascending order of difficulty. Questions with no negative marks must be attempted first. The 45-minute cycle should be repeated for the other two subjects. Thereafter, return to the three sections and attempt previously omitted questions. Even if some segment/section appears to be tough, keep cool since it is your relative performance which matters. The IIT-JEE examination tests your understanding in application of concepts and analytical skills vis-à-vis mechanical or blind application of formulae and theory. Temporary setbacks or poor performance during practice in quiz sessions or mock test papers should not discourage you. Your success in the examination is proportional to the number of problems you’ve solved independently and, preferably, using more than one method. “Coming from a non-metro engineering college, it is really difficult to understand the real needs of the industry. Our scope and ambitions too become limited. But, now I know the kind of opportunities lie ahead of me,” she added. All Ramya’s batch mates are happy with this change in their curriculum, where they constantly interact with professionals working in the industry. Murali Krishna G, a sixth semester student of BVRIT, Hyderabad said the project work is his best takeaway. R Vishal, a sixth semester student of EEE, Sri Sai Ram College of Engineering, Chennai, said: “If Indian students are exposed to more practical learning through internships in industries, they are likely to emerge as better performers in the long run. Such projects certainly help us to distinguish between what we know and what we need to know.”