IIT JAM 2019 Mathematics Topper Interview: AIR 2, Vikas Didel wants to get into research
Indian Institute of Technology Joint Admission Test for MSc 2026 ( IIT JAM )
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9 Jul '26
Vikas Didel cracked IIT JAM 2019 Mathematics paper by securing AIR 2. Shiksha got talking to Vikas to know his preparation strategy for IIT JAM exam.
Securing All India Rank (AIR) 2 with a total score of 82.66, Vikas Didel cleared IIT JAM 2019 Mathematics paper. His section-wise scores in the exam include 40.67 marks in MCQ (Multiple Choice Question) section, 18 marks in MSQ (Multiple Select Question) section and 24 marks in NAT (Numerical Answer Type) section.
Currently studying BSc (Bachelor of Science) from SS Jain Subodh PG College, Jaipur, Rajasthan, pursuing in MSc (Master of Science) was always Vikas’s first preference. Other than IIT JAM 2019, Vikas had also appeared for TIFR GS exam, which he cleared and received an interview call from TIFR CAM (TIFT Centre for Applicable Mathematics), Bangalore.
A sports enthusiast, Vikas likes playing Badminton and Volleyball. Apart from this, Vikas also like listening to music. His father is a teacher and mother is a home-maker.
In a candid interview with Shiksha, Vikas shares his prep strategy and success mantra for IIT JAM exam. Read the complete interview below:
Q. Congratulations for clearing IIT JAM 2019! Did you expect to be the topper of IIT JAM?
I had appeared for this Science entrance exam last year as well wherein I had secured AIR 46. Therefore, this year I predicted to be in the top 10 rankers of the exam.
Q. Could you tell us your preparation strategy that helped you crack IIT JAM exam?
I studied regularly for three to four hours every day. I also practiced a lot of questions by solving past years’ IIT JAM question papers and taking mock tests.
I did not study any book for IIT JAM preparation. Rather, I used my own notes for preparation and also practiced the sheets that my coaching institute gave me.
Q. Where did you take the coaching for the exam?
I took the coaching at Innovative Institute of Mathematics in Jaipur (IIM Jaipur).
Q. How did you deal with your strengths and weaknesses while preparing for the exam?
I gave more time to the topics in which I was weak and practiced a lot of questions on that topic.
Q. What as per you are the mistakes one should avoid while preparing for the exam?
One should not take any topic lightly and do a lot of practice. Also, one must focus on increasing his/her speed of solving the problems/ questions. And, most importantly one should avoid making silly mistakes in the exam.
In my case, there were three to four questions which were extremely easy but due to silly mistakes I did those wrong and lost marks in the exam.
Q. Any advice to manage time while giving the exam?
During the exam, the first thing you have to do is neither be depressed nor be overconfident and just be yourself. Thereafter, first attempt questions which are easy and can be done at once. For this, you have to be accurate as you will not have time to solve the questions twice.
Q. There is negative marking in the exam so what strategy should students adopt to score high?
To avoid negative marking, first attempt questions that you are sure of and leave the ones about which you have no idea.
Q. Which as per you was the most difficult part of the IIT JAM exam?
All the parts of IIT JAM 2019 exam were of moderate difficulty level, except the first part (MCQ section), which was a bit time taking as well as difficult.
Q. How was your experience of giving a computer-based test?
My experience of giving a CBT (computer-based test) was good as I could change the answers for the attempted questions any time.
Q. Anything that students should keep in mind to perform well on the day of the exam?
Sleep tight, relax and do not take any stress before the exam. Keeping myself relaxed before the exam had helped me a lot during the paper.
Q. What are your future plans?
In future, I want to develop my career in the field of research. I want to do further research in Mathematics.
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