IIT JAM 2018 Geology Topper Interview: AIR 1 Rahul Kumar scores 98/100

IIT JAM Topper, AIR 1

Currently pursuing BSc Geology (Honours) from Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Rahul Kumar cracked IIT JAM 2018 Geology paper by scoring a whopping 98 out of 100 marks. This is the highest marks ever scored in JAM examination till date. Rahul’s section-wise scores include 50/50 in MCQ section, 18/20 in MSQ section, and 20/20 in NAT section.

Belonging to a middle class educated family of Nalanda, Bihar, Rahul never took any coaching for JAM 2018 examination. However, his consistent and dedicated efforts towards JAM preparation made him achieve his goal.

Playing Badminton and watching movies are Rahul’s favourite hobbies. However, the JAM 2018 topper also likes having fun-filled nightouts with his friends.

In a candid interview with Shiksha, Rahul shares his prep strategy for the exam, success mantras, future plans, and a lot more. Go through the complete interview below:

Thanks! I really did not expect to be JAM 2018 topper.

I studied as per the prescribed pattern and syllabus for JAM 2018 and made my basics of every topic strong. 

After online exam on February 11, 2018 IIT Bombay released the response key after 8-10 days. Thereafter, at the end of February, IIT Bombay released the answer key for JAM examination. On March 20, 2018, JAM result was declared. Now, JAM counseling has started from April 3, 2018.

In first two years of my graduation I studied the syllabus of my university thoroughly. Since my graduation syllabus was quite similar to the syllabus of JAM paper I did not feel much difficulty during peak time of preparation. Few days before the exam, I focused on my weak topics and then a quick revision kept me on track of JAM preparation. 

I read several books for JAM preparation to prepare different Geology topics. Few of the books are as below:

• Structural Geology by MP Billings
• Structural Geology: Fundamentals & Modern Developments by SK Ghosh
• Structural Geology by Robert J Twiss & Eldridge M Moores
• Textbook of Physical Geology by GB Mahapatra
• Physical Geography by Savindra Singh
• Introduction to Geomorphology by VS Kale & Avijit Gupta
• Principles of Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology by JD Winter
• The Petrology of Sedimentary Rocks by Sam Boggs
• Mineralogy by Dexter Perkins
• Rutley's Elements of Mineralogy by CD Gribble
• Palaeontology Invertebrate by Henry Woods
• Fundamentals of Historical Geology and Stratigraphy of India by Ravindra Kumar
• Principals of Engineering Geology by KM Bangar
• A Textbook of Geology by PK Mukherjee
• Groundwater Hydrology by David K Todd & Larry W Mays

My biggest strength is the way I read and understand a topic. During JAM preparation, I never prepared a time schedule for my daily study. I studied during the hours that were comfortable to me. However, I made sure to maintain continuity of six to eight hours of daily preparation.

I got frustrated many times during preparation but maintained my focus and kept going. I am thankful to my parents and friends as they encouraged me to buck up in that difficult situation.

Always maintain continuity of your study. Do not get trapped in unnecessary things. Be focused and study hard.

Since JAM paper contains three sections (NAT, MSQ, MCQ), here is my suggestion on the amount of time that you should dedicate to each section: NAT: 60 minutes, MCQ: 50 minutes, MSQ: 40 minutes. I managed my time during the paper exactly like this.

In rest 30 minutes you should give a quick review to your paper to check if you have filled your responses properly.

Out of all the sections in the exam, only MCQ section contains negative marking. So do not mark your responses in this section until you are 100% sure of the answers. 

NAT is the most difficult part of JAM paper. It is completely different from the other two sections (MCQ, MSQ), therefore, you should pay extra attention to this section during JAM preparation. Go through previous years’ question papers, analyse the topics from which NAT questions usually come in the exam and practice those questions regularly.

It was good and glitch-free. 

Be confident and positive. Take proper rest a day before the exam.

I took JEE Mains and Advanced as well as IAS summer fellowship.

Go through the basics of all the topics you study and always keep JAM syllabus in mind. Study hard as there is no shortcut for success.

Right now I am preparing for GRE Exam so that after completing my MSc from IIT Bombay, I can go abroad for research.  After that, I want to serve my country and create opportunities for newcomers in field of Earth Sciences.