The Joint Entrance Examination, or IIT JEE as it is known, for all the Institutes of Technology of India is possibly the most gruelling entrance examination in India. If you dream of getting into any of India’s IITs (the premier technical institutions in the world), you have to prove your worth not by your academic ability but by your ability to solve problems at an age when you’ve barely turned ‘teen’. Getting to any of the IITs is a dream for many students and their parents, but getting there requires commitment, a vision for the future and a careful navigation of the many pitfalls by the wayside. Some of the commonest traps, along with some clever ways to avoid them, are outlined below. 

Board exams and the most crucial and tough competitive exam of your life – JEE Advanced, both together, at the same time, it’s possible if planned properly. These are the 2 pivotal points of your academic life, if everything goes right, this moment plays a major role in your academic life. 

In this write-up, we will discuss a few smart plans to help you go through this phase.

1. Plan and Prioritise: Decide your programme for the day by dividing your entire study time between the subjects – dedicate more hrs to subjects with more weightage. While making a plan, take into account your strengths and weaknesses by allocating more time to the weaker ones. Your plan needs to be flexible to accommodate IIT JEE coaching classes allocated on a specific date or time. For sensitive students, provide at least 30 mins of special meal and rest time during the afternoon.

2. Time Management: Time management is a fundamental aspect of balanced studying. Things such as the Pomodoro technique or the Eisenhower Matrix are great for time management in the study. Pick a study schedule that works for you. Divide whatever it is you need to learn into small chunks and get through these chunks in succession. Allow yourself an appropriate amount of time to study subjects and stick with that plan.

3. Increase Efficiency of Study Materials: Utilise technology and internet options to optimise your preparation: watch online lectures, solve interactive quizzes and even take mock tests for good practises. To set your ducks in a row, you can take the help of an experienced mentor or be active on Q&A forums.

4. Pursue Conceptual Understanding: ‘Board exams are based on theory, but the JEE Main and Advanced emphasises the application of concepts through problem-solving So, do not make the mistake of memorising only formulae or equations. Spend more time understanding the concept behind them.’ ‘Once you have understood the basic concepts, use them to solve more complex problems.

5. Practise and Revision: Practise as much as possible as this is the only way to retain the information and boost confidence. Solve the last two or three years’ question papers, mock tests and sample questions. Try to find mistakes committed by you and work on weak areas. This will not only help you to develop problem-solving abilities but also to organise your preparation in the time given for solving the paper in the actual examination.

6. Stress Management: While preparing for several exams, it stresses your mind. With all the stress caused by examinations, it is important to relieve stress with some form of sport, meditation or enjoyable hobbies. It is essential to get adequate sleep and a good diet to keep you on your studies with focus and clarity.

7. Reach Out: Don’t hesitate to ask for help. Reach out to your teacher, classmates, or family and ask for an extra point of support. Band together with other classmates to form study groups, share resources, and cheque in on each other. Talk with your family about any of your growing concerns and ask for their patience and encouragement.

However, exams like board exams and JEE Main and JEE Advanced, for starters, are marathons and not sprints. Be diligent but also keep your end goal in mind. You’ll succeed if you stay the course. Be bold, be magnificent, be the best – be positive and stay motivated. Good luck!