Proper strategy is key

With less than two months left for JEE Mains exam, FIITJEE expert Ramesh Batlish shares tips for last-minute prep

The first phase for admissions to BE/BTech(Paper-I) and BArch/BPlanning (Paper-II) was held between January 6-9, 2020 and the second phase will be held between April 5-11, April 2020. Students have the option to appear in one or both phases. The result will however consider the students' performance in the best of the two phases.

Clearing JEE (Main) is not difficult. Systematic approach towards its preparation will help. The JEE (Main) consists of CBSE syllabus of Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics and some common topics from Classes XI and XII of State Boards. About 25% questions in the exam are easy, 50% are average and 25% are difficult. The cut-off for JEE (Main) is generally around 65%..

TIPS FOR Physics

• Mechanics is one topic that is considered less scoring by most experts. However, this is also the topic that forms the major portion. This topic can’t be neglected.
• One must try to concentrate on other scoring topics to ensure a better performance, for example Optics, Electricity and Magnetism.
• Kinematics and particle dynamics are important topics of Mechanics that make regular appearances.
• Refer to past years’ papers, and sample test papers to understand what to expect when you have started solving advanced level problems.
• According to the general trends, Mechanics and Electricity and Magnetism are the most important topics in terms of the number of questions asked in JEE of previous years. Vector is one concept that students commonly encounter in dealing with any of these topics, so effort must be taken to understand it properly.
• In the decreasing order of the marks they carry are listed different topics of Physics according to their appearance in previous year’s papers.
• Thermodynamics is important from the terms of Physics and Chemistry so concentrate on that as well.

TIPS FOR Math

• Previous JEE papers suggest that in more attention should be paid to Chapters like Vectors and 3-D than Probability or Indefinite integration as Vectors and 3-D offers very less scope to examiner, as far as variety in questions is concerned. One more chapter is Complex Number, from which every year 2-3 problems are asked. Hence mastering complex numbers, vectors, 3-D and Definite integral must be on top priority.
• Keeping in mind the trend of last years’ paper all topics had been covered with more importance given to topics of Algebra, Calculus and Co-ordinate Geometry.
• To tackle questions from Co-ordinate Geometry all aspects and the results of Algebraic Calculations of properties of conics must be known.
• In chapters of Calculus like Functions, Application of derivatives one can fetch easy marks if graphical approach is adopted.
• Trigonometry though having less weightage must not be ignored as it is scoring. One must grasp all important formulae in Trigonometry. This is a scoring topic in Mathematics.
• Chapters like Mathematical Reasoning / Determinants/ Statistics/ Mathematical Induction must also be covered to fetch some quick marks as the questions from this chapter are relatively simple.
• Refer to past years’ JEE Main papers, and sample test papers to get familiar.

TIPS FOR Chemistry

• Conceptual clarity, application skills and awareness to the prescribed syllabus should be the focus.
• Practice the most relevant questions daily to develop speed. Pay special attention to topics like Mole concept, Chemical Equilibrium and Electrochemistry.
• Take a careful and patient approach for Organic Chemistry giving attention to the topics like Stereochemistry, GOC (General Organic Chemistry) and Functional Group Analysis.
• In Inorganic chemistry most of the questions which are asked are conceptual, concerned with structures, processes and applications. Special attention is a must to the topics like Chemical Bonding and Coordination Chemistry.
• Special attention should be given to the topics like Biomolecules, Chemistry in everyday life andEnvironmental chemistry.
• Special attention to NCERTshould be given as JEE Main is completely NCERT based in Chemistry.
• Special attention should be given to the topic Drinking Water. One should try to learn the Threshold Limits for the various ions in drinking water.

Attempt theoretical questions first and then questions which require calculation. It is advisable to avoid numerical questions in the first 10 or 15 minutes of the exam.

Dos

• Attempt easy questions first.
• Choose sections that have less risk and more gain.
• Carefully scroll through the entire question paper in the first five minutes.
• Keep a check on time while attempting the paper
• Attempt all numerical based type questions as there is no negative marking.

Don’ts

• Start from question you don’t know.
• Get upset if any section is tough. You can score in other sections.
• vGuess if you have no idea about the concept involved in a question.
• Be nervous if you find the paper tough, since it is the relative performance that counts.