Every aspirant who aims at becoming an engineer, dreams of pursuing the degree from IIT. It is important to understand that preparation for Indian Institute of Technology Joint Entrance Examination (IIT-JEE) requires rigorous hard-work, as competition for the limited seats is increasing every year. Often, being at their wits end while tackling the intricacies of JEE, students end up making these mistakes:
Overlooking the basics: Students often study for the exam with an exhaustive combination of reference books and study material. Students should primarily focus on NCERT course books and proceed with reference books only upon completing the former. Also, the Class XI syllabus constitutes a substantial portion of the JEE exam and hence its topics should be revised simultaneously along with Class XII syllabus.
Conceptual understanding: Students often prefer a method-based approach instead of applying conceptual understanding. While this approach might initially serve the purpose, it can become detrimental for students as a slightly off-patterned question may make them nervous. It is essential to apply concepts while practising each and every topic.
Complacency: At times, while practicing similar questions too often, students develop a tendency to solve them as per self-interpretation. MCQ questions are often developed to detect analytical skills through situational questions. Googlies are common, and hence, students should be well-versed in analysing the questions completely before attempting them. As they are majorly supplemented with incorrect answers, failure in analysing will fetch negative marking for a question that could have been easily solved.
Losing focus: The pressure of JEE can causes severely upset aspirants and families alike. Losing focus at the eleventh hour is common. One must maintain his/her cool while solving a question. This will help in coming up with the correct solution. Time management is crucial, so, one should avoid answering long questions unless mandatory. It is a mistaken belief that long text questions are often easier to solve, and hence, should be tackled with prudence and contemplation.
Forsaking a much needed rest: In an attempt to give complete attention to the exam, students tend to take a break from their hobbies and daily normal life. This can result in loss of enthusiasm while adding unnecessary stress to the brain, decreasing efficiency and leading to a lacklustre performance. Students should refrain from making preparations cumbersome and take mediated breaks. This will keep their mind stress-free and help them grasp and retain additional information. Engaging oneself in activities that promote a healthier body is crucial during preparations. Yoga, jogging, poetry and mind exercises help in maintaining a supple body and active mind
Self-doubt: Probably the gravest blunder students often make, self-doubt can be an exam-dampener. Students need to boost their self-confidence while developing a positive mindset. Implementing a goal-oriented strategy is the best way to achieve this.
The author is a JEE expert.
