Exams like the IIT-JEE always bring along a lot of apprehension and restlessness. Around 15 lakh students are expected to take the JEE-Main 2014 out of which just 1.5 lakh from all categories would make it to the JEE (Advanced). Moreover, students emerging in the top 20 percentile of their class 12^th boards and who get through the JEE (Advanced) would finally feature in the final merit list of the IITs.

So, now that you are left with not even a month in hand, the strategy that you follow in these days can give your life a new direction and can determine your success or failure in this prestigious exam. So, instead of getting anxious, make best possible utilization of every second that is left!

Students generally begin their preparation with the NCERTs and that is in fact the best approach. The NCERT books help in forming good conceptual base. We enlist below some of the JEE Main preparation tips that can prove useful and help you out in preparing your level best in just one month! These tips will aid in simplifying your journey of carrying on the JEE preparation.

1. Work hard on all three domains but gain expertise in your strongest portion: In order to crack JEE, one needs to practice all three subjects i.e. physics, chemistry and math. But once you have worked sufficiently on all three areas, strengthen your favorite area. If your favorite subject is math, then work out maximum possible examples of math as this will help in improving your rank in JEE. But, before this, be sure that you are competent enough to crack questions from all three sections in order to get through JEE.   

2. Course completion or revision: Majority of the students are left with some portion of course when just one month is left for the JEE. In such a scenario, there are two options: either covering the remaining syllabus or revising the syllabus that has been already covered. At this crucial moment, do not think twice and just proceed with your revision. You are more likely to obtain better scores in the JEE Main if you have revised the covered syllabus rather than trying to cover the remaining part.

3. Meticulous Planning: Many students work extremely hard but still fail to achieve their goals. This is because they study in a haphazard manner. With just one month in kitty, your success will depend on how effectively you chalk out your plan. All three subjects i.e. Physics, Chemistry and Math are equally important for the JEE. So now that just 30 days are left, ideally there are 10 days available for each subject. So, you may adopt any of the following approaches:

• Study all the three subjects daily by dividing the time. The logic behind this is when a particular subject is studied for a longer duration, it gets boring and you end up retaining fewer facts.
• The other way is that you may devote one day or 2 days to a particular subject and switch to the other subject the next day.

Every student has got his own peculiar way of studying. Generally the second approach is considered to be better because human nature drives more satisfaction out of studies when bigger portions of syllabus are covered.  

What time of day suits what subject?

The morning hours are the best for grasping of facts. Hence devote the morning hours to chemistry. All the formulae and reactions should be on your finger-tips. Students who are clear with reactions are able to crack maximum questions of chemistry in the JEE. Math should be done in the afternoon as it involves practice and so even if you are feeling lazy you‘ll end up solving some questions. Rest of the time should be devoted to Physics.

4. Strategy for Different Subjects: Now that just 30 days are left for the JEE Main, the aspirants must make sure that they have prepared thoroughly from the NCERT textbooks. We consider all the three subjects one by one:

• Physics: As you go through a particular topic, pen down the important formulae and results. These results come very handy especially on the eve of final exam. Practice as many questions as you can but keep in mind the availability of time. At this crucial juncture, students should avoid getting trapped in lengthy and complicated problems. Instead, focus on your strong areas. Remember, every second counts and so you cannot dare to waste even a single second! Once you are done with the NCERT you may now practice questions from HC Verma and Resnick Halliday. But, do so only if you have referred these books earlier. Else, at this point, do not refer any new book.
• Chemistry: CBSE textbooks must be revised thoroughly. They not only cover maximum syllabus but also provide detailed explanation of the topics. The exercises given at the end of chapters must also be solved completely. Once done with the CBSE, the aspirants may switch to other books like Morrison Boyd. But covering more books is not as important as having a good hold on the concepts. So, make sure that you are able to attempt the questions based on the concepts that have been covered.
• Mathematics: Students may allot less time to mathematics as compared to Physics and Chemistry as math to some extent is covered in the preparation of boards. Moreover, generally mathematics solutions are remembered more easily as compared to Physics or Chemistry. But, there is no hard and fast rule. It differs from person to person and so students need to identify their strengths and weaknesses and work accordingly.

5. Refreshment is equally important: Do not bury yourself in the four walls of your room. Plan a morning walk as it increases your concentration. Don’t consider it a waste of time as it in fact increases your output. Take small breaks after revising certain portions. This aids in increasing the retention power by channelizing your energy and keeping your mind fresh.

6. Mock Tests: Practicing questions from the past year papers is of utmost importance. Since you are left with few days in hand, you could first refer the sample papers to identify the areas from which questions are generally asked. Then chalk out your plan accordingly. Moreover, as you cover some theoretical portion, practice numerous numerical based on the topic. Solve out past year papers as it improves your speed and acts as a rehearsal of the final exam which helps in improving your performance on the final day.

There is no shortcut to success. You have to work hard and now that just one month is left, you need to work even harder. Hard work is the only key to success. Your success in JEE also depends on how strong your concepts are. It is important to have a clear understanding of all the topics covered. Cramming won’t prove useful as the questions asked in JEE are completely application based. 

While sitting for the JEE Main 2014, try to attempt the theoretical questions first and then move on to the numerical. It is a fact that if you attempt certain confident questions in the beginning then one gains confidence and is filled with positive energy. This further increase the efficiency and speed of attempting questions. Thus, the aspirants of IIT JEE Main 2014 are advised to avoid numerical in the first 30 minutes of the exam.  

Morale and determination are the most important factors. Be optimistic and keep your morale high. Nothing is impossible, start preparing from this moment itself and give it your best shot!

Content Courtesy: AskIITians.com

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