Even if you are a late starter you can crack IIT JEE
Are you late in your start for serious preparation of IIT JEE? Do not lose heart if you are lagging behind your competitors in the run to get through Joint Entrance Examination for admission to esteemed IITs. Only thing is that you will have to change your tactics. Your approach to successfully crack the grueling examination will have to be different from that of those who have started it in time, simply because of the fact that they must be quite ahead by now. You must be knowing by now or will continuously get to know, if you really hanker after a good rank in IIT JEE, that real contenders start serious preparations almost two years before the examination, i.e. at about the start of class XI. So here are some ways that might bring you on equal footing to, if not ahead of, those running fast in the fray.
1. Methodology: First of all make a good observation of the syllabus and available time. You will notice that some of the portions are easy for you since while studying for the first year (XI) or second year (XII) you must have found some chapters in all the three subjects Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics comparatively easier than others. Keep them aside. Apply a back-counting approach. From the approximate date of the JEE examination, count one month back and fix this date as the date when you will finish the study of entire syllabus. Now focus on rest of the syllabus and divide the available time span into smaller periods scheduled for topics in the syllabus as per their vastness and level of difficulty. The topics which you found easier while studying for class XI or XII may be allotted smaller spans. The remaining time of one month should be utilized only for revision of important formulae, calculations and salient theoretical points prepared in advance and solving critical problems.
2. Develop a Problem Solving Ability: Since you are lagging behind, you will have to develop an attitude of application and accuracy in yourself. Try building a skill of problem solving in you. This is what JEE demands. You would not see much of repeated problems from previous year JEE question papers. Instead you may come across entirely new questions which compel you to think more. So everything boils down to saying that you have to practise thinking. With this habit in your stride you will gradually speed past your rivals.
3. Your Revision Tool: Write the important points and formulae very concisely at the end of studies every day and make a habit of revising these notes before the start of studies every day. All these notes will collectively act as your revision tool in the last month before the examination. With these notes in your stride you will always be a front runner as you will always be ready with all the knowledge gained and it will help to beat the heat as the examination nears.
4. Peaking at the Right Moment: We know that teams which peak at the right moment go on to win a tournament. Similarly, you have to step up your performance as the exam approaches near and near. This refers to the last month mentioned in the first and third points. Since you will have finished the entire course in accordance with plan in point (i) there is no need to panic as you are supposed to hit the bull’s eye from this point. Have confidence in yourself and feel the simplicity of the problems which once looked formidable to you. By now you must have understood the method by which you are to gain ground. Where others are applying a detailed study approach, you are directly trying to get what you are supposed to. Simply put you are instructed, “Solve the numerical problems, get the marks and get qualified for IIT JEE.” In contrast, others are studying the course in its vastness, taking their time to analyze concepts and then attempting on problems. This in no way means that you do not have to understand formulae and concepts. You only see the formulae closely, understand the variables of the formulae clearly and solve problems based on them. So you will always be a step or two ahead of the conventional student. Mere mugging of the formulae without understanding them may lead to disastrous consequences.
5. Time Management: Learn the art of time management. It will help you at the time of preparation, in the examination hall and everywhere else in your career. By solving a number of previously unknown questions in a given time you have to develop an expertise in the art of using every bit of time. At the examination, divide the allotted time into smaller spans for each section and keep an extra 15 minutes for something which might turn out to be more difficult. In point (ii) you were supposed to practise thinking. This point instructs you to practise fast thinking.
6. A word About the Books: When you have limited time you have to use only the best books. First study should always be from NCERT text books and time permitting you should go for other books containing cryptic problems. Some books are suggested below:
Physics: Concepts of Physics, Vol.-I & II by H.C.Verma
Problems in General Physics by I.E.Irodov
Chemistry: Physical Chemistry by O.P.Tandon
Inorganic Chemistry by O.P.Tandon
Organic Chemistry by O.P.Tandon
Numerical Chemistry by P.Bahadur
Mathematics: Integral and Differential Calculus books of Arihant Production
Trigonometry and Coordinate Geometry books by S.L.Loney
Mathematics(XI and XII) by R.D.Sharma
Successful candidates have disclosed in the past that they studied the basic concepts from NCERT books only and for applying the concepts to solving unknown problems they referred to other books.
7. Closely Observe the Process and Pattern of Examination: This is such an aspect which wins you finer and generally uncared for points against your competitors. For an instant assume that your examination will be held in the afternoon hours. But imagine if you have a habit of napping during the day hours then what might happen? You may also imagine what might happen if you are stuck in a traffic jam while going to the exam venue considering you have to see the seating plan and find your seat after reaching there. The moral is that you have to think beforehand about all these and plan in advance for all the petty matters. Moreover, be ready for surprises since IIT JEE has a habit of changing patterns, discovering new problems and giving shocks. So try to develop a flexible thinking and go shock-proof.
8. Remove Your Attention Away from Other Things as the Exam Nears: One way to attain any goal is to keep thinking about it and do everything for the goal only. Though it is not always possible to do whatever you do for one thing only. But you know in this case that this goal is also not going to be a mean achievement. So for the last month and a half, you are advised to withdraw your mind from your other pursuits. If required, speak to your parents or well wishers about this so that they also can help you out. Since most of the distractions come from friends and relatives only, it is best to inform them in advance that you will not be available for anything during this period. In fact this point has got something to do with the ways of the mind. It has been proved that one generally achieves or can apply greater will power for an achievement if he or she is able to incorporate it in his or her very psyche. You think only or mostly about your single aim and are not deviated in the least by anything whatsoever.
9. Have a Relaxed and Easy Approach: Being simple about difficult things is what solves all your problems. But it is difficult to be simple. So learn the art of simplicity. Make formidable problems look simple. Make yourself understand that nothing is so difficult as will defeat you. Sometimes a problem might look very complex but when you go for solving it you see that the solution is a very simple one. Further, you should also learn not to panic at anything. Do not feel stressed at any point of time during the preparation. If stress starts building, allow yourself good amount of sleep and entertainment but keep your aim in mind so that you may come back on track.
10. Touch Each Subject in a Span of Every Two Days: It has been observed by experts of the field that keeping away from a subject or topic for a long period of time develops a lacuna in that area. So it is important that your daily study routine is cohesively prepared with a view to touching all the three subjects in a span of every two days.