JEE Advanced this year is to be conducted on 20th May. This is being conducted in the online mode
for the first time. The test will consist of two papers – one in the morning session from 9AM to 12
Noon and the second in the afternoon from 2 PM to 5PM. It is crucial that the student maintains the
momentum of the two year preparation in the last few days and goes to the exam in a positive frame
of mind. Most students get confused about what to do in the last few days, waste their time and go to
the exam in a confused state of mind. It is therefore important for the student to use the time
available in the last few days wisely so that he can face the exam confidently. Few points that the
student has to take care of:
Focus on topics you are already familiar with. This is not the time to start any new topic. It is
practically difficult to start any topic from scratch and gain sufficient proficiency to answer JEE
Advanced standard questions now. Instead revise topics you are already familiar with.
For JEE Advanced, gaining conceptual thoroughness is more important than trying to solve too
many problems in the limited time that is available. Therefore while solving any problem first read the
question attentively, understand it properly, reflect over it and then apply the concepts learnt by you.
Go back to all the previous weekly tests & assignments solved by you and redo problems which you
found tough or tricky. Re-attempting them will ensure that you focus on your weak areas.
Spend most of your time in solving previous years’ questions, chapter wise. You can go over the
questions more than once till you understand and internalise the underlying concept. A significant
number of questions that you will encounter in the paper will be conceptually similar to the questions
asked previously. Only the wording of the problem will be different. If you are thorough with the
previous years questions the solution will quickly flash in your memory and you will be able to
answer the question. Hence, there is no harm in redoing the questions once or twice.
You will not be able to do more than the above in the limited time available before the exam. Do not
start working on a new set of tough problems from a new book or material at this stage.
Try to take full length practice tests frequently. You should aim to solve at least 2-3 papers per week.
Since JEE Advanced is a two paper test it is important that you build adequate stamina. Therefore
follow the same timings as the final exam: 9 AM-12 Noon & 2PM-5 PM. This way your body cycle
will get adjusted so that you can show peak performance in the exam. After every practice test do an
analysis of all errors committed. If any conceptual clarity is missing refer to your notes and become
thorough. With every test, fine tune your overall test taking strategy in order to get the most out of
three hours.
If you have not taken JEE Main in the online mode it is important for you to get exposed to the
computer based test. Take as many tests as possible on the computer. Get used to the navigation
from question to question. Understand the colour codes used in the question palette. Use the “mark
for review” feature to mark questions you want to come back to later. Know how to pace yourself by
keeping track of the countdown timer on the screen and the number of questions yet to be
attempted.
Believe in yourself. Have confidence in your ability and your effort spread over two years. There may
be occasions where you may not be satisfied with your performance in a practice test, let that not
demotivate you. Revise where you lacked and take the next test on a fresh note.
On the exam day, be calm and composed. Whatever be the nature of paper do not panic. There will
always be 25-30% questions which are simple. The language may look complicated, but if you are
confident and tension free, you will be able to identify these questions. Solving them first will boost
your confidence and will enable you to approach the other questions in a positive frame of mind.
Finally, expect the unexpected. JEE Advanced is known to throw surprises. The number and format
of questions may not be what you expected or the marking scheme may be different. Let these
changes not unnerve you. Take them in your stride and try to do your best.