Twin challenge: Here's how to crack both the Board exams and JEE test

Preparing for the Board exams and the JEE Main simultaneously? Here is what you ought to know to ace both

Two classmates in library discussing a assignment

With the Board exams and JEE Main almost here, it is time for you to get your preparation aligned with your schedule, so that your scores reflect your efforts. This is the phase when you must not only focus on scoring well, but also perfect the art of simultaneous preparation for both major exams. While such an exam preparation is daunting, with almost all exams having a cutoff based on your Class XII percentage, it is certain that Boards cannot be taken lightly, and thus, both these exams need to be dealt with equal zeal.

However, the challenge here is about where to focus and how to go about both exams. Here are some tips to master the simultaneous preparation:

Draft a solid plan: Have the right preparation strategy and follow it strictly. Make the most of the preparation time for board exams to optimise your JEE Main preparation. Plan out a well-structured strategy that caters to the requirement of both exams.

Divide prep time: Spend equal time to revise each section and on the following day, attempt the sample papers of respective subjects. Preparation should be a mixed basket of revision of the syllabus and sample papers. This way, you will be able to revise the syllabus while attempting sample papers.

Pick the right textbooks: When you are flooded with reference books from different publishing houses, it is vital to follow the right book without losing track. NCERT textbooks serve the best purpose for serious students.

Get your basic concepts clear: Physics comprises three major sections — modern, optics and electricity. Spend more time on sections that are challenging. Chemistry, and numerical questions are easy. Hence, choose them over theory to score more marks.

Get the formats right: Preparing for two exams simultaneously needs to be done cautiously especially when it is about getting used to the exam pattern. Be aware of the differences between the board exam paper pattern and the JEE pattern.

Previous years’ papers: Attempting previous years’ test papers of both exams will help you hone your skills and concepts that you are not confident about.

Mock tests: It is not too late to find out your weak areas and work accordingly to bridge that gap. Attempting mock tests will acquaint you with your preparedness and shortcomings. In case you are appearing for JEE Main online, online mock tests will be helpful.

Stay healthy: Preparation for such exams require dedication, but at the same time, you have to ensure the state of your health is in perfect condition. The mental and emotional strain of long nights of hard work can take a toll on your body. Thus, eat healthy, take small breaks to relax and stay stress-free in order to deliver your optimum on the exam day.

Focus on exclusive Board questions: There are certain sub-topics in various subjects which generally get more weightage in the Boards because the questions are subjective type. There are also some topics which are part of JEE Main but not part of the JEE Advanced exam which some tend to ignore during preparation. For example, in physics, the chapters on electronic devices and communications systems are part of JEE Main and the Board exam, but not part of the JEE Advanced Exam. Carefully study these chapters along with the questions from the sample papers so that you can comfortably handle descriptive questions from these chapters. Take a look at the archive of JEE Main/ AIEEE questions of the previous years for JEE Main, along with sample papers for board.

Prepare to dwell in the examination temperament: For the JEE Examination, what matters is not how much we know, but how much are we able to deliver in the three-hour examination. Many students make the mistake of attempting the questions sequentially and find that there is not enough time left to attempt questions that they would otherwise know. Remember that in JEE, scoring as low as 60% marks will get a student a decent rank and fetch him or her a good branch in a reputed college. Rather than aiming to solve all questions, attempt all those you are confident of doing correctly. The best way to do this is to quickly scan the question paper and solve the easy questions first before attempting the moderate ones, and finally, the tough ones without losing time.

The writer is FIITJEE Expert.