India&’s best minds will put their potential to the test at the annual Joint Entrance Examination for engineering colleges on 4 April. A good number of students are expected to appear for this preliminary examination. Around 150,000 candidates will qualify for advanced, which is scheduled on 24 May, from which only 10,000 will make it to the Indian Institute of Technologies.

Understandably, the competition is as tough as it gets. A brilliant mind, though an essential requirement, is not sufficient to get through to the qualifying stage. A systematic study programme, hard work, and the right approach will make a crucial difference. Two students of comparable intelligence can emerge with drastically different results if the approach to the examination has been different. The right guidance can make it all the difference. For example, a student may be inadvertently spending more time on mathematics while giving lesser time to physics and chemistry. This may hamper the effectiveness in the other two subjects. There are still others who have weak concepts and stagger when dealing with conceptbased questions.

Since the JEE is a test of analytical skills as much as it is of knowledge in physics, chemistry and mathematics, what sets the winners apart is how much they have worked on their fundamentals. The focal points for preparation include building concepts, learning proper application of concepts, practising level of problems while working on speed and accuracy. The majority of the topics are also covered in boards, hence it is recommended that one must prepare for both the exams simultaneously. One should also adapt month-wise preparation. This period of the month is the last crucial time one can utilise towards preparation as most students will have completed their board syllabi and will have had time to devote on JEE topics with a proper action plan. Each of the three subjects — physics, chemistry and mathematics — are equally important. Around two or three hours per subject is the minimum time one must put in on a daily basis solving level problems.

It is advisable to take a minimum of 10 mock tests in the new pattern from a reputed source and solve at least the last five years question papers before heading to the examination. For better preparation one can join a test series programme. These tests not only check the level of preparation of the individual but also make them aware about their command over the subject, speed, accuracy, strengths and weaknesses. It is always advisable to attempt theoretical questions first and then questions that require calculation. It&’s human nature that if one attempts a few confident questions in the beginning then one can feel loaded with positive energy, which increases efficiency and speed for the rest of the paper.

One should avoid numerical questions in the first 10 or 15 minutes of the exam. Prioritise after a quick glance and start answering the question and move progressively to the ones that are difficult after attempting the complete paper.

Time management is another important aspect to be taken into consideration. So divide these crucial three months aptly among the three subjects and allocate a certain time for practising mock tests as well. Prepare a chapterwise, topic-wise revision schedule. And create short notes, list all formulae and points to remember. This will help in quick revision before the examination. Expert coaching classes help provide a good guidance to students with a focus on working for the competition. A high quality faculty, which has been teaching aspirants for years, can help give the right direction and clear the doubts. Another benefit off coaching classes is a periodic monitoring of performance through tests and analysis along with projected national level ranking.

The author is an fiitjee expert