JEE Main 2020: Preparation Strategy For Last 2 Months

National Testing Agency (NTA) will conduct the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main 2020 from January 6 to 11, 2020. A little less than two months are left for the national level engineering entrance exam, for which, a total of 11.18 lakh candidates have applied. On one hand students might take the January session exam lightly as they will get another chance in April. However on the other hand, it wiser to do really good in the first attempt itself to have less pressure on one’s shoulder for the April attempt; the best of the two scores only will be considered for engineering and architecture admissions 2020-21.

For the last two months preparation strategy of JEE Main 2020, experts say to start with past 4-5 years of JEE main question papers, both online and offline. This will approximately get compiled to be around 15-16 papers. Now divide these papers into 3 sets: A, B and C. Start by solving Set A questions topic wise to have an idea about your conceptual understanding and command over that particular topic. Note all the concepts and topics where you have done mistakes or you are not easy to go with them and then understand them. 

After this go with Set B, again topic wise to check the improvement on these topics. If again there is a scope of further improvement take the help of your teachers to clear any conceptual doubt still appearing. After completing this set, now go to Set C and take this a full test in the way you would be taking your actual JEE Main 2020. 

Since the exam is online, it is also recommended to take at least 5-6 mock tests.

All said and done, the JEE Main Jan 2020 will be a milestone in engineering entrance exams in India. One reason is that after a consistent drop in numbers since 2014, this is the first time that the number of applications have increased. And the second reason is the new exam pattern – wherein numerical type answers questions have been introduced, and a separate paper has been created for B.Plan.

With two months to go, the preparation strategy has to be spot on.

First things first, be aware of the new exam pattern and syllabus. The B.Tech entrance exam will have three sections mathematics, physics, chemistry, with 25 questions of 100 marks each. The 25 questions will be split into 20 MCQs and 5 NATs. B.Arch exam shall have three sections mathematics, aptitude test, drawing test, with 25, 50, and 2 questions respectively wherein the section with 25 questions will have 20 MCQs, 5 NATs. And the section with 2 questions will be a drawing test on paper. B.Plan exam will have mathematics, aptitude test, planning based objective type test with 25, 50, 25 questions. Again the section with 25 questions will be split into 20 MCQs and 5 NATs. For all papers, marking scheme will be +4, -1 for MCQs, and +4 for NATs.

When studying for physics, it’s a good idea at this point to compile a list of all the units of physical quantities. Revise questions on some of the often ignored but scoring and repeated pattern questions like semiconductor devices, electromagnetic waves, communication system as the question from these are most of the time repeated. As far as the weightage is concerned almost 40% is given to mechanics, electricity & magnetism, 15% to modern physics and optics individually and 7-8% to nuclear physics. However ever since the exam went online, weightage distribution is not useful, as every day, every shift has a completely different questions distribution.

For the chemistry section focus more on the p, d, and f block elements and bonding as inorganic chemistry holds around 30% weightage in the paper, and students often lose out marks here. Similarly, physical chemistry almost always has 35% weightage and candidates must maintain a small diary for the formulas. If we talk about the organic section then it also usually has 35% weightage and candidates should focus more on name reaction and their mechanisms like ozonolysis, aldol, cannizzaro, perkin and hoffmann’s. 

Many students do this mistake of giving all their attention only to physics and chemistry, neglecting maths, which hampers their overall results. Thus it is recommended to equally put attention to all the topics of mathematics, and to revise topics like coordinate geometry, algebra and calculus.

Some quick tips at the last for the students would be that they are highly advised not to add any last minute new topic in their schedule. It will disturb their cycle and routine. Another would be to inculcate some stress busters in your schedule because all work no play will lead to a decrease in efficiency and hence result. These could even be a small walk in your open area, a small scene of your favourite movie, or a chance to play a game of cards with family. 

Quick tips while appearing for the exam are don’t get nervous seeing the paper to be tough try to have a calm mind because it is the relative performance that counts in this and make the most use of your analytical mind. Check upon your speed and make use of the rough sheet provided to you. All the best!