Make a structured study plan

Here’s how you can increase your efficiency, manage time and motivate yourself to get the best score.

Seven months remain for the JEE 2016 qualifying exam. Engineering aspirants should be well into their preparations to secure a seat in any of the coveted IITs across India. Arguably, the JEE Main and Advanced exams are among the most gruelling entrance exams in the country. The selection criterion is extremely strict and only the crème de la crème of engineering aspirants are shortlisted for admission in the prestigious institutes.

While most aspirants would have started attending coaching classes many months ago, how many actually have a structured study plan with a defined process and follow it diligently?

Having a study plan in place is the first and crucial step towards achieving the goal of cracking the JEE with a good rank. But for those who do not have a concrete study plan to follow in the next six or seven months, it is not too late to get organised. Now is the time to put together a plan with effective time management strategies, dividing subjects into specific study schedules, prioritising weak subjects and conducting regular self-assessments through mock exams.

Creating a study plan will eliminate any unnecessary stress in the learning process and ensure that candidates are well prepared in the weeks running up to the exam.

A well planned study and preparation schedule should:

set clear, achievable goals

have realistic timelines

prioritise practice sessions with extra focus on difficult subjects include self-evaluation techniques at regular intervals

factor in regular breaks to reduce the monotony and keep stress at bay.

Increasing efficiency

The importance of ample practice cannot be emphasised enough. Solving as many questions as possible will clear all your doubts as you go along. Spend time revising formulas and concepts. As in any other competitive exam, the quality of effort and preparation is what ultimately counts. The number of books you read or the hours you spend studying will not result in much if there is no focus on quality. Studying effectively and smartly is the key to performing well.

So, first understand the basic concepts and then build your way up. A strong foundation is essential for intellectual applications in the exam. More than 20 per cent of candidates reappear for the JEE exam. Armed with the advantage of having attempted the exam before, these candidates can benefit from the experience of knowing the exam pattern and how to approach it and can prepare with a revamped strategy.

But when attempting the JEE for the second time, remember to start afresh. Look back at your previous scores and performance to analyse the mistakes made and the topics which need special attention.

Get hold of as many sample papers from previous years as you can. Solving them will help you evaluate the level of difficulty and improve your speed. It will also help you get accustomed to the exam pattern. Mock tests conducted in the right way are most effective in putting your knowledge to test and give you a fair idea of the tricky areas and what you need to focus on.

JEE Advanced tips

Physical Chemistry - Remember the formulae and practise the questions. Focus on thermodynamics and ionic equilibrium.

Inorganic Chemistry: Do a bit of reading from the start so you are in touch with the subject constantly. Focus on analytical chemistry and p-block.

Organic Chemistry – This also demands constant and regular effort and revision. Focus on reaction mechanisms.

Mathematics - Make a chart of all the formulae. Practise a great deal. Remember the three T’s — Tips, Tricks and Techniques for each topic. Focus on calculus.

Physics - Remember the concepts and practise the questions. Focus on mechanics and electrostatics.

Time management

An important part of the study plan is time management. Allocate enough time to difficult subjects and topics. Do not leave them to the last minute. Equal time should be devoted to learning concepts, revising chapters and practising application of the concepts through mock tests.

Plan your study schedule in such a way that you do not feel burdened and bogged down by your books all day and night. Keep aside time for stress busters and recreation activities. Time spent qualitatively matters more than the quantity of hours that you put in.

Motivation tips

It is not unusual to see engineering aspirants losing interest and going off-track halfway through preparing for the JEE exam. The intense focus and commitment required over one full year of preparation often takes its toll and students get sidetracked by distractions. In order to motivate yourself, write down your goals on a sheet of paper and read them every single day.

Evaluate whether you are on this path. Most of all, work hard and believe in yourself. Take the help of your mentors or senior IIT-ians.

Lastly, remember that your efforts may not get you the rank you desire, but it will give you a year’s learning and experience which will be worth your while.

The writer is a

co-founder of Toppr.com

Keywords: JEE 2016, Competitive exams