What does being prepared for board exams, IIT-JEE, and AIEEE mean? This year the IIT-JEE was attempted by approximately 5 lakh students and the number appearing for AIEEE is expected to touch 12 lakh, making it the biggest entrance exam in our country.

Aspirants who are very meticulous in their planning and preparation have separate strategies for the Boards, IIT-JEE, and AIEEE, although what’s common is the Board exam syllabus (covered in both grade 11 and grade12, see the IIT-JEE website). Hence, it is always advisable to make sure that when preparing for engineering entrance exams all chapters relevant to Board exams are covered first and understood thoroughly. That is to say that one must not do selective study in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. This is because with the number of questions being more in objective type papers and with intermingling of their underlying concepts, all topics may be covered.

IIT-JEE

This exam includes conceptual and tricky questions. Students have to be very conscious while marking the correct answers and thoroughly understand concepts across all topics.  
Exam pattern

* There are two question papers, both question papers comprise three separate sections on Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics. They are of objective type, designed to test comprehension, reasoning, and analytical ability of candidates. Time allowed is 3 hours each

* All questions are the multiple choice type

* Negative marking is followed in the checking of examinations

* You can opt for a question paper in English or Hindi

Strategies for the Exam

* Concept building
* Applications of concepts
* Problem solving at the JEE level

SOME POINTERS AND SUGGESTIONS

i. Which section to focus on more

No section in the paper is more important than the others. Devote equal time to all—Physics, Chemistry, Math. And although Class 12 Board exam syllabus is important, do not overlook Class 11 topics.

ii. Board exams vs. IIT-JEE

Since majority of the topics of IIT-JEE are also covered in the Board exams, it is important that you prepare for both exams simultaneously. Practice all NCERT problems while brushing up on JEE chapters.

iii. When to start taking tests and how to go about analyzing the results

Once you complete the syllabus of Class12, you can start taking mock IIT-JEE tests. These tests can be taken as Part Syllabi (topics of Class 11 and Class 12 separately) or Full Syllabi (a combination of Class 11 and 12 syllabi).
You may join a test series program. These tests not only check the level of preparation for the exam but also make the aspirants aware of their command over the subject, speed in writing the exam, topics and strong and weak areas.

iv. How to manage time

* Divide the number of weeks available into three periods, one for each subject.
* For each subject, prepare a chapter-wise revision schedule. Schedule the topics in each chapter.
* Create short notes, list all formulae and points to remember. Glance through these for a quick revision before the examination.
* Stick to one source of books/ study material available in the market. For example, it is sufficient to go through study-packages, IIT-JEE archives, review-packages, workbooks, Grand Masters Package/Equivalent, AITS/AIITS series etc., if you have enrolled at a training institute.
* Remain focused throughout the preparation period, with a positive attitude to study with utmost concentration.

v. Learning from mistakes

The key to right preparation is not only proper, timely planning but also learning from mistakes to identify weak areas and practice well to work on those areas. Correct attitude and acute focus are key to being one among the toppers. How are toppers different? They divide their preparation time well. They stick to a single system of preparation and have faith in themselves. Thus, they gradually build up their confidence and gear up to crack any difficult question. They solve all previous IIT-JEE questions, keeping their conceptual understanding crystal clear.

vi. Important topics in Physics/ Chemistry/ Mathematics

About 45% and 55% of the questions in IIT-JEE papers are from the syllabi of Classes 11 and 12 respectively. The following topics are particularly important:

Mathematics

Quadratic Equations & Expressions, Complex Numbers, Probability, Vectors, Matrices in Algebra; Circle, Parabola, Hyperbola in Coordinate Geometry; Functions, Limits, Continuity and Differentiability, Application of Derivatives, Definite Integral in Calculus.

Physics

Mechanics, Fluids, Heat & Thermodynamics, Waves and Sound, Capacitors & Electrostatics, Magnetics, Electromagnetic Induction, Optics and Modern Physics.

Chemistry

Qualitative Analysis, Coordination Chemistry and Chemical Bonding in Inorganic Chemistry, Electrochemistry, Chemical Equilibrium in Physical Chemistry and Organic Chemistry, complete as a topic.

Avoid selective study in any of the three subjects since the number of questions are more in the objective papers where there is a mix of concepts from various topics.

Vii. Synchronizing preparation for IIT-JEE, AIEEE, and Board exams

For IIT-JEE, practice as much as you can. Many students mistakenly think that if they prepare for IIT-JEE, then they are prepared enough for AIEEE as well.