With JEE Main 2018 just a few months away, having a strong base in physics, math, and chemistry can open up avenues for aspirants. Strategic planning or subject-wise preparation is the need of the hour. Here are some pointers to preparing for chemistry.
Unlike physics and mathematics, chemistry is less about applications and concepts and more about planning. It is divided into the following three parts: physical chemistry, organic chemistry, and inorganic chemistry
Physical chemistry
It plays a vital role in evolving underlying principles of chemistry, which is more like mathematics and physics. At the JEE level, physical chemistry begins from basics of mole concept, quantities at atomic level and goes on to energy, thermodynamics and kinetics. Other topics from physical chemistry such as concentration of solutions, chemical equilibrium, atomic structure, thermodynamics or chemical energetic serve as pillars of chemistry in JEE. Problems of physical chemistry are complex, and hence, require adequate training. Practise every chapter carefully and thoroughly understand the concepts. This section has 30-40% weightage in the JEE Chemistry Paper. Topics such as solid state, gaseous state, chemical kinetics, chemical thermodynamics and equilibrium should be on top of your preparation list.
Organic chemistry
Although organic chemistry in itself is relatively vast, at the JEE level, it goes with general organic chemistry. It begins with concepts of resonance, IUPAC nomenclature, hybridisation, isomerism, hyper conjugation, and so on. Apart from these, stereoisomerism proves to be most critical, which sometimes acts like a stumbling block for students. This section contributes to around 30-40% of the paper and demands ample practice. Topics such as Halides, hydrocarbons, alcohols & phenols, aldehydes and ketones, carboxylic acids, and so on should be every student’s focus.
Inorganic chemistry
Here, the study is based on Mendeleev’s periodic table as the elements are divided according to their groups. Coordination compounds followed by analytical chemistry and chemical reactions and metallurgy are areas where one can score easily. The paper contains questions which are direct in nature and based on direct application of concepts. This section accounts for 25-30% of the paper.
Some study strategies:
Focus on clearing concepts, application skills and completing the syllabus on time
Numerical part in Chemistry may appear simpler, but require lots of practice to ensure no errors are made. Pay attention to every detail in the question
Give ample time for general organic chemistry, stereochemistry, and so on.
If you find yourself falling behind in any of the topics, focus on improving the other two sections.
Attempt theoretical questions first, followed by numerical questions.
Must solve at least 10-15 previous years’ question papers.
The writer is a FIITJEE Expert
