When in the examination hall, one feels that the time is slipping out and running fast, and it seems almost impossible that one will be able to attempt the exam within the specified timelines. The mental pressure and the ticking clock become the two most common reasons behind candidates reassigning to their fate rather than trying to gather the strength to compete with the fears. Bigger the exam, worse the fear. And JEE Main is one such test that comes packed with fear. Well, we know how to save you by just highlighting some key points. JEE Mains is a crucial step in an engineer’s life, agree? Now friends, if we divide the subjects, we observe three broad categories: Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry. Out of these—we all know it—JEE Mains Mathematics is the most time-consuming.
Filled with lots of numerical and calculations, it seems as if there is not sufficient time to even complete the section—it can eat over the whole time as well. If you ask the majority of the candidates, Why they couldn’t score well, there is a high probability that they’ll say ‘Time was too less’. So, what can be done here? How can you prepare well, especially for Mathematics? Don’t worry, we have it all covered and are here with all the preparation tips for JEE Main Mathematics.
As you know that before constructing something, the foundation is laid down. Just like that, the candidates need to lay down a strong foundation in their minds. They need to know the pattern, syllabus, and weight-age of different topics; this means they need to everything about JEE Main. Once the candidate has understood the basic structure of this paper, he/she will be able to prepare well and do an excellent job in the paper. Positively, they will even become a part of one of the best engineering colleges in India! Anyway, let’s give direction to your thoughts; have a look:
Know the weight-age of different topics: Let’s start with the preparation tip number one, and that is breaking down the topics and know which is the most scoring.
Assuming that you are inquisitive about what the mathematics syllabus consists of, the next step is to know the JEE Main Maths weight-age of each topic. So, we have marked the important topics from the preparation point of view. Those sections which weigh more than three percent of the total are certainly important. Ponder over these details:
- Complex Numbers and Quadratic Equations 5-6%
- Sequence and Series 6-7%
- Matrices and Determinants 6-7%
- Statistics and Probability 4-5%
- Trigonometry 6-7%
- Coordinate Geometry 10-12%
- Limits, Continuity, and Differentiability 7-8%
- Integral Calculus 10-12%
- 3D Geometry 5-6%
- Vector Algebra 3-4%
More practice and less cramming: Although it is well known that this is not a subject to be crammed as it demands more practice; only a few avoid this. People! Stand out of the crowd and give importance to practicing. Start attempting more questions. In the Mathematics section, there are 25 questions in total with serious calculations. And yes, calculators are not allowed. Consequently, make sure to hone up your calculations by regular practice sessions. You can also take the help of calculation tricks—known as Vedic mathematics—as they can simplify the calculation in no time!
Previous year question paper: If you are attempting this exam for the first time, it is a bit difficult to adapt your mind around the pattern. Even if you are about to take the test for the second or third time, you can avail of this benefit: solving previous year question papers. The previous year’s question papers of different subjects can surely help you get the gist of the exam. Try and solve a lot of questions. This way you will be able to not only comprehend the pattern easily but also be able to know what sort of questions you would be tackling. Candidates can visit the official JEE Main website to get question papers from 2019 and similarly, old question papers can also be found.
Try to target the easy ones first: Keep in mind one thing: you won’t get extra marks for solving the hardest problems. And it brings us to the conclusion: solve easy questions first. If you try to tap the hardest questions first, you will lose a lot of time on that particular question only and won’t be able to solve the easy ones too. Save these questions for later and if you find time afterward, get them solved or just leave them.
Take online JEE Main test by NTA: NTA (National Testing Agency) which is the test conducting agency for JEE Main 2020 has advanced everything. The exam is Computer-based and there won’t be any pen-pencils except for the drawing paper. To make the candidates well-versed with this online system, NTA has started a provision of online preparatory sessions. Students can register and take it at home on their PCs. In case, any candidates who have no access to computers, laptops whatsoever, can take the tests in the examination centers of their cities. This registration portal can be accessed by following the official link for NTA online Mock Tests.
Time management: We have already clarified and would like to reiterate —time slips when in the examination hall. Time is an important factor in life and utmost important during the examination. As already mentioned, everything is online, which means that candidates need to wield the technology! Time will run faster for those candidates who are new to it.
Coming to the point, there is no doubting the fact that mathematics is a scoring subject but what lies beneath is the fact that it consumes a lot of time and there are two more sections to be answered. So, you cannot devote the whole time to mathematics. This becomes the reason for having proper time management. You need to have a firm plan while attempting the examination. Take and retake mock tests until and unless you achieve a satisfactory level. Take a stopwatch and keep a record of how fast you can crack the code! Make sure that you set the timer exactly like the one during the exam and try solving the exact number of questions.
Be an early bird: Early birds do have a longer day, don’t they? Join them already then! So, the exam is scheduled to be held in January next year but don’t let this be you at ease. There are only a few months left considering which you should start your preparations early. If you haven’t started yet, there is no better time than now! Take notes, consult teachers, take online tests and use a lot of mock test tools. Starting early has a multitude of perks, ranging from knowing your weaknesses to forming an examination strategy. Early preparations will just let you know what ways are the best to prepare for this test and it will surely reflect on the examination day. Before starting the quest, know everything about JEE Main 2020.
Starting from the bottom: JEE Main is a superior level exam but Mathematics is a subject that demands clarity. If you are confused even with the ground level problems, the advanced problems would seem like a hard nut to crack! Many candidates tend to know the difficult problems but when it comes to the easiest ones, they get confused. Avoid this happening and start from scratch. For doing so, go through NCERT Mathematics books first and segregate the topics according to the IIT JEE Mathematics syllabus. The best books to start with are NCERT Mathematics books for the eleventh and twelfth. Then there are help books such as R.D. Sharma and Arihant. Go through the related topics and prepare them well. Don’t cram them for good.
Work on your weak areas: There are ups and downs everywhere and likewise there are strong and weak points in education as well. Mathematics is a vast domain where some topics might seem easy to you while others are difficult. Naturally, the easy topics are your friends. You know the topics which seem easy to you but the difficult questions—well, they require attention. So, don’t just leave them; work hard in those areas. Go through the topics time and again until you attain a clear level of understanding. The start is always difficult but getting-used-to will do you good.
Now, once you are acquainted with the topic, work hard to get your hands on it. Take a good time to solve these problems and practice them regularly. You should spare 2-3 hours from your daily schedule for these topics only.
Self-evaluation: Honesty always pays back. If you are true and honest to yourself, you know you are going to shine eventually. Just like this, make sure that you are honest to yourself while evaluating the performance. If you are taking the online mock tests, you will be marked by the computer itself but if you are preparing online, you become the candidate, as well as the invigilator.
Honestly check your work and then calculate the total. Try to keep a record of your scores and then compare them. Out of this information, you will also be able to understand which areas demand more time and energy. Once you have evaluated your performance, don’t stop. Start from the starting and repeat till January!
Bottom line: JEE Main Mathematics—the name is enough to make one’s mind go blank. However, if you have religiously followed these tips, your mind will be much sharper and be filled with the knowledge you have acquired. If you are well prepared, you will be confident and with this confidence, you will also be able to beat the anxiety and nervousness before the exam. So, what are you waiting for? Just start preparing right away! Best of luck!