IIT JAM 2018 Chemistry Topper Interview: AIR 4 Ravi Kumar opts for IIT Bombay

Ravi Kumar, IIT JAM 2018, AIR 4

Ravi Kumar, a BSc (Hons) Chemistry graduate from Hindu College, Delhi University, cracked IIT JAM 2018 by securing AIR 4 with 87.33 marks. Ravi’s section-wise scores in JAM Chemistry paper include 47.33 marks in Section-A, 18 marks in Section-B, and 22 marks in Section-C.

An extremely hardworking student, Ravi belongs to a middle-class family. His father is a farmer and mother is a homemaker. When not studying, Ravi likes listening to songs and hanging out with friends. However, the JAM 2018 Chemistry topper’s favourite pastime includes interacting with new people.

In a candid interview with Shiksha, Ravi shares how he prepared for IIT JAM 2018, which books he studied, what are his future plans and more. Read the complete interview below:

No, it is hard to predict who will end up being the topper of a prestigious exam like IIT JAM.

I started my preparation six months before the exam. I spent three hours daily on each part – Physical Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, and Inorganic Chemistry.

I also joined an online course on ETOOS, which eventually turned out to be very crucial to my success.

After getting through the written exam, I filled JAM 2018 counselling form in which I gave the preference of IITs I want to join.

Yes, I joined ASF coaching center in Hudson Line, New Delhi.

I read the following books for JAM preparation:

Physical Chemistry

• Physical Chemistry by Peter Atkins and Julio de Paula
• Physical Chemistry by Gilbert William Castellan
• A Textbook of Physical Chemistry by KL Kapoor
• Numerical Chemistry by Dr P Bahadur

Organic Chemistry

• Organic Chemistry by Leroy G Wade and Jan William Simek
• Organic Chemistry by Jonathan Clayden, Nick Greeves, and Stuart Warren
• March’s Advanced Organic Chemistry by Jerry March and Michael B Smith
• A Guidebook to Mechanism in Organic Chemistry by Peter Sykes

Inorganic Chemistry

• Concise Inorganic Chemistry by JD Lee
• Inorganic Chemistry: Principles of Structure and Reactivity by James E Huheey
• Basic Inorganic Chemistry by Ajai Kumar

Getting through any entrance exam like JAM is a thorough process. Therefore, being consistent in studies is the key to success. Do not leave too much syllabus for study during the end time of preparation. Also, always revise whatever you study on the same day for effective preparation.

Ample time is given during the exam to complete JAM paper. However, if you get stuck with any question do not waste too much time solving it and move ahead to another question.

Negative marking is not applicable to all the questions in the exam. In my view, you should try to attempt as many questions as possible to score high in the exam.

For me, Physical Chemistry was the most difficult part of the exam. However, the subject can be prepared well through regular practice.

Although it was not the first time I was taking a computer-based test, the experience was a good and glitch-free one.

Studying during the last hours of the exam does not make much difference in preparation. It is advisable not to study much a day before the exam as it is important to have a cool and stable mind to perform well in the paper.

Apart from JAM, I also took IIT-JEE exam as my first preference was to be an Engineer.

Study as per the need of the exam and do not get too much involved into just one topic.

Life is unpredictable and beyond anyone’s control so I do not make any long term future plans. However, for the time being I am heading to IIT Bombay and I am really excited about it.

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