JEE Advanced 2025 Topper Interview: Mock Tests & PYQs Were Game Changers: AIR 5 Ujjwal Kesri

Ujjwal Kesri AIR 5 in JEE Advanced 2025 highlighted the importance of avoiding social media distractions and relying on mock tests and previous years’ papers to enhance speed, accuracy, and exam confidence.

JEE Advanced 2025 AIR 5 Topper Interview

JEE Advanced 2025 Topper Interview: Ujjwal Kesri, who secured AIR 5 in JEE Advanced 2025, shared that he relied on notes and modules provided by his teachers and stayed away from social media to avoid distractions. He credited mock tests and previous years’ papers for helping him identify weak areas, improve speed and accuracy, and gain a better understanding of the exam pattern, which significantly boosted his confidence. Reflecting on alternate career paths, Ujjwal added, "If I hadn’t chosen engineering or JEE, I would have probably pursued philosophy or geography."

Q: What was your initial reaction when you saw your result and realized you were among the toppers?

Ujjwal: I feel amazing, it’s like all the hard work and effort I put in has finally paid off. Based on my JEE Advanced preparation and how I attempted the paper, I was confident I’d make it to the top 10. But finding out I was in the top 5 was truly the happiest moment of the day.

Q: Tell us something about yourself. Which board have you studied under? Which school did you study in?

Ujjwal: I completed my entire schooling, from Kindergarten to Class 12, at Birla Vidya Niketan School in Delhi, which follows the CBSE curriculum. I appeared for both my Class 10 and Class 12 board exams from the same school, and I completed Class 12 this year.

Q: What is your score in JEE Advanced 2025? Which college and branch will you be opting for?

Ujjwal: I have secured 324 out of 360 marks. I aspire to pursue a Bachelor of Science at IISc Bangalore, to eventually move into research and earn a PhD in Physics.

Q: When did you start your JEE Advanced preparation? Tell us something about your preparation strategy and daily routine for JEE Advanced?

Ujjwal: In my daily routine, I typically studied for 10 to 12 hours, which included both self-study and classes. I made sure to get 8 to 9 hours of sleep each night to keep my mind sharp and focused. After my board exams, I devoted all my time to preparing for JEE Advanced, increasing my study hours to around 12 hours a day.

Q: How did you manage stress and stay motivated throughout the preparation journey?

Ujjwal: I stayed calm and didn’t stress over the competition syllabus, trusting that two years was enough to cover it. To manage stress, I practised meditation regularly and shared my daily experiences and challenges with my parents every night.

Q: Did you rely more on coaching institutes, self-study, or a mix of both? What worked best for you?

Ujjwal: I attended Vidyamandir classes for three years, and I believe coaching is essential to stay motivated, cover the syllabus on time, and benefit from expert guidance. My teachers played a crucial role in my preparation.

Q: What role did mock tests and previous years’ papers play in your preparation?

Ujjwal: Mock tests and previous years’ papers helped me identify weak areas, improve speed and accuracy, and understand the exam pattern better, which boosted my confidence significantly. Also, NCERTs were my foundation.

Q: Were there any specific books, online platforms, or resources you found particularly helpful?

Ujjwal: The preparation for JEE Mains and Advanced progressed simultaneously. I primarily relied on the notes and modules provided by my teachers. For JEE Mains, especially chemistry, I extensively referred to NCERT books.

Q: What advice would you give to students preparing for JEE Advanced 2026?

Ujjwal: I used only WhatsApp to stay in touch with my teachers and parents, avoiding all other social media. I strongly recommend staying off social media, as scrolling wastes time and disrupts preparation.

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