‘Clarity must for success’

With less than a month left for JEE Advance exam, it is imperative that aspirants have a concept wise revision plan in place, says PARTHA HALDAR

The  most coveted engineering entrance exam and the gateway to the IITs, the JEE Advanced 2019, is scheduled on the May 27, 2019. It is imperative to prepare a systematic and a full proof concept-wise revision plan. The following tips will guide you through your preparation:

• During revision, remember it is the quality of time spent that is important and not just the quantity. Thus, you must engage in concept wise revision and not chapter wise.  Concept wise revision prevents missing out on anything.
• Pick up representative questions specific to a concept or chapter and solve them, while revising.
• If you could not revise Class XI syllabus before Class XII Board exam and or before JEE Main then you must do it now as 40-45% of the questions in JEE Advanced could be from Class XI syllabus.
• In JEE Advanced, every year there is always a surprise element mostly in terms of question paper pattern and its marking scheme. Usually it affects a student’s performance. Hence, focus should be given to solve questions by applying reasoning and analytical skills. Students should refer to archive i.e. JEE Advanced question paper bank of previous years.
• Develop time management strategy to deal with the various sections — Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics.
• It is important to subscribe to a good all India computer based (mock) test series. Such test series should be attempted in simulated environment. It is advisable to solve at least one mock test every week.
• Performance in mock test must be analysed, drawbacks must be identified and steps for improvement must be prepared.  It will give insight to an ideal approach required to do well.
• While writing the tests you should look at building the right exam temperament, body clock adjustment, ability to focus in various test-taking environments etc.
• Maintain concept clarity at all times, there should not be any room for any kind of doubts. Every question will have some unique keywords. Keep a note of it while reading the question. By deciphering these keywords, the linked concepts and or hidden concepts which form the basis of a question will direct the student to develop the solution approach to the problem. Hence students should not rush through while reading the question for the first time.
• 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 sufficient time to think logically and analytically to arrive at the solution approach.To start with, apply conventional methods of solving. Later, gradually develop smarter and efficient ways to solve questions, to save on time.
• Question selection is extremely crucial. Every paper consists of easy, moderate and difficult questions. JEE Advanced will be no different in this regard. In fact a good quality Test series will give you similar experience. Hence while solving mock test develop an eye for selecting the right question. By quickly solving the easy and moderate questions you will be able to clear the cut-off. To go the next level,attempt difficult questions. Judicious attempt should be practiced. Idea is to keep negative marks at bay. This approach will automatically create a huge difference with others as majority of students would be randomly attempting questions thus picking up negative marks.
• Keep referring to high quality notes prepared over the last 18-24 months.
• One must remain physically fit and mentally focused. Hence practice meditation to develop inner calm, self control and power of concentration. This will matter a lot and will help you on the day of examination. Do not overstress yourself.