IIT JAM 2018 Chemistry Topper Interview: AIR 10 Karan Doda wants to join a PSU

IIT JAM Chemistry Topper

A pass-out from Atma Ram Sanatan Dharma College, Delhi University, Karan Doda cracked IIT JAM 2018 by securing AIR 10. A BSc (Honours) Chemistry graduate, Karan scored a total of 84.33 marks out of 100 in the exam. His section-wise scores in the exam include – 44.33/50 in Section-A (MCQ), 14/20 in Section-B (MSQ), and 26/30 in Section-C (NAT).

Playing badminton, listening to songs, and reading books are Karan’s hobbies. However, the JAM topper’s main passion lies in studying and exploring Chemistry as a subject.

In a candid interview with Shiksha, Karan reveals the prep strategy he adopted for the exam, his future plans, and a lot more. Read the complete interview with IIT JAM 2018 Chemistry topper, Karan Doda below:

No, I did not expect to be the topper. However, I was confident to be in top 10 rank holders of IIT JAM 2018.

I cleared basic concepts of all the topics. Thereafter, I started solving previous years’ question papers. I had solved a lot of previous years’ papers of GATE and NET.

After the exam was over, the online counselling process started in which I filled the preferred IIT in which I want to take admission.

I distributed my time equally to study Physical, Inorganic, and Organic Chemistry. I solved a lot of questions to prepare Numerical Answer Type (NAT) section of the paper. For Multiple Select Questions (MSQs) I read more theory and solved NET, GATE, and IIT JAM previous years’ papers. By solving past papers I gained a lot of confidence in the exam.

I read the following books for IIT JAM 2018 Chemistry paper preparation:

Organic Chemistry

• Organic Chemistry by Jonathan Clayden, Nick Greeves, and Stuart Warren
• Organic Chemistry by Paula Y Bruice

Physical Chemistry

• A Textbook of Physical Chemistry by KL Kapoor (All volumes)
• Physical Chemistry by Peter Atkins and Julio de Paula

Inorganic Chemistry

• Shriver & Atkins Inorganic Chemistry by Peter Atkins, Tina Overton, Jonathan Rourke, Mark Weller, and Fraser Armstrong
• Inorganic Chemistry: Principles of Structure and Reactivity by James E Huheey
• Concise Inorganic Chemistry by JD Lee

I solved a lot of questions on the topic that I faced difficulty in understanding. Also, I did not waste time in understanding just one topic. I prepared all the topics well, which I feel is the key to crack JAM examination. I also used to give a lot of mock tests to check my JAM preparation.

First of all, you should clear your Chemistry basics of Class XI and XII. Secondly, rather than focusing on just few topics you should give equal importance to all the topics during JAM preparation.

Do not get stuck to one question if you are not able to solve it, skip to another question. Always use pen and paper for rough work. Do not hurry to mark your responses as you might make lots of silly mistakes. Spend more time on MSQ section and do not forget to review your NAT responses.

You must prepare all topics well and should not mark your response if you are unsure of the answer else you might end up getting negative marking in the exam.

I found Section B (MSQ) to be most difficult as it requires the student to mark all correct options in the question.

My CBT (Computer Based Test) experience was very good. A slight advantage in the exam was that that we could change our response even after marking it in the system. Also, marking responses on a computer saved a lot of time.

Do not study much on the day of the exam, only revise through short notes. Also, sleep well a day before the exam.

In 2017, I was selected for admission at IISER Mohali in PhD programme.

Getting admission in an IIT has been a dream for me and clearing IIT JAM 2018 is the only path through which I can fulfill my dream.

Be thorough with the basic concepts of Chemistry. Study all topics prescribed in JAM syllabus well. Also, try using the calculator that is provided during the exam a day before on your computer. Join an online test series as it will help you gain confidence.

I want to join a PSU (Public Sector Unit) after clearing MSc. Simultaneously, I also want to teach students, as teaching is my passion.