Best Books for JEE

The first question which pops up in every JEE aspirants mind-Which books to solve? Quite a naive question(you will realize it after you give the exam :p). Don't worry, I am here to guide you all ; )

You might wanna check out individual subject posts as well : )

The answer is subjective and varies from person to person. But let me tell you, that basically, all good and highly valued books in the market are good(there are some bullshit books too, and stay away from them).

The structure of the post will be Subject-Must have books-Book sets for additional practice(but choose only one set of them)-Books for those aiming for very good ranks or Olympiads.

I will be mentioning many books. Don't get overwhelmed on seeing it. Most people don't study them all. Some books are good for theory, some for problems and some books are used for specific topics. I'll mention alternatives to books. You can buy them too. I'll provide pros and cons wherever possible. 

I have extensively searched the web for the latest and best editions of the books. To ease out things for you guys, I have included links to the books too, so that you can directly buy the books instead of wasting time searching for them(time is precious!). Just click on the link, and you will see the correct edition.

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PHYSICS-

Must have books-

1. HC Verma- God book of JEE Physics. Must do for all. Read theory and solve questions. As many as possible. If you are buying one book, this is it.

2. NCERT- Another must have. Reading NCERT will help you answer the theoretical problems asked in the paper, and will help you with JEE(Main). It will give you a heads up for boards too. Also, see the links below for all four books(read both parts of classes 11th and 12th).

3.Previous papers questions- Must solve each and everyone of them.


    


For more practice(and must have for those who don't go for any coaching)-

1.Arihant Physics Series- Its an awesome resource for quality problems and must have for self-study students who are serious. It will help you clear all the concepts which are taught in coaching. Coaching guys can use it as extra practice. This is must solve for self-study guys if you wanna crack JEE(Advanced). It has really nice problems and theory.

    

2. Cengage Series- This is an equally good series. I haven't used it personally, but I heard it is good. You can use it as an alternative to Arihant(avoid using both, it will confuse you), if you r teachers/ friends discuss it, or you like it. As you wish.

     


Books for problem practice-

You can do Coaching sheet+must have books+ Problem books as a complete package(I did this too). Include the books above(in point 2) if you don't go to coaching.

1. DC Pandey-Awesome numericals.

2. D. Mukherjee- Awesome book for theoretical questions. Simple, and very conceptual book.

  

Books for a high rank/Olympiads-

1. I.E. Irodov- Must solve this if you are aiming for top 100/Olympiads(shown above).

2. Resnick Halliday Krane- Mainly for Olympiads, but it has great theory and problems. A notch above HCV.


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MATHEMATICS-

Fortunately, I find that mathematics doesn't need many books, so I'll list them directly instead of categorizing. So, the must-have book for coaching student is just NCERT and past papers. To be honest, NCERT isn't needed much in Mathematics, but you can read it for JEE(Main) specific topics or boards. Just solve your coaching stuff really well(or follow the next point if you are not satisfied, or aspire for more).

  


So, you can choose between Arihant Skills in Mathematics or Cengage series by G. Tewani. Both have good questions, but I found Arihant to be good. I solved them and they have really good questions.

Arihant-

     

Cengage-

     


For Extra practice, you can go for A Das Gupta (specially for class 11 students). You can go to my Olympiads page for books related to Olympiads.




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CHEMISTRY-

Again, like mathematics, Chemistry is best taught by Coaching classes. It would be best if you try to get your hands on them. Still, for self-study guys, I would suggest you to go for popular books on the subject, like the ones given below, for theory. There is no good book of Physical Chemistry for theory known to me, but you can go for P. Bahadur for problems. I have mentioned few more books below, which I heard are good(I mostly studied foreign author books and my coaching sheets. You can again follow Cengage or Arihant series if you are studying on your own. But I feel that students with access to good coaching material should avoid books for theory.

Also, NCERT is very important for chemistry section. Study NCERT really well. It is highly important. Remember everything in NCERT.

NCERT-

   

Some good books-

      

Cengage(I treid my best, but Inorganic Chemistry part 1 is not available as latest edition on Amazon)

    


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There are countless books available out there. But not all books are good. I recommended only books I personally found good or heard from a credible person about their quality. I missed many good books like RC Mukherjee and all, mainly because I don't want to confuse you guys. It is easy to get confused. Read the description I mentioned before buying. Too many books are bad too. 

Comment anything, and follow the blog for more!

I hope it helps.

All the best!

Also see: Organic Chemistry, Mechanics, Algebra, Motivation

Coordinate Geometry, 3D, and Vectors

This is usually counted among the tough topics. Because it involves a lot of formulae and calculations(at times) and hence costs a lot of time during exam. You might wanna be very fast in calculations before moving here. So prepare your algebra well!

So, the topics will be 

1. Straight Line and Basics- This is the most important chapter because this forms the basis of other chapters. There would be various forms of lines, and you must be familiar with each and everyone of them. There would be lots of definitions in this chapter(orthocentre,incentre,etc.)Lots of formulae, learn them all by heart.  Shift of origin and family of lines are two important topics which will help you solve questions fast. Practice a lot, and different types of question, don't solve 10 questions of the same type. Solve 10 questions of 10 types(i.e.1-2 questions of each type).

2. Circles and Conic sections- You must be well prepared with formulae of equations in standard form, parametric form, positions of foci, vertices, length of latus rectum,etc. tangent, normal, etc. Joint equation of curves and lines is very helpful at times. There are a few special results(e.g. reflection properties of parabola and ellipse). It's tough to remember them all in one go. Take your time and try to apply them in questions to learn them. Do a lot of locus problems. Again, lots of types, and solving many problems of different types will help you.

3. Vectors and 3D- 3D is just a continuation of 2D Geometry. Have a good thinking of the problem in 3D. It will help you. Again, formulae-remember them. You won't face much problem in 3D. Vectors would give you problems :p. Well, try to think of vectors in terms of 3D when in trouble. There are a few standard techniques(taking dot product, cross product with something, etc.) try to implement them and see if they help. Keep on solving a variety of problems. Various lines forms get confusing. Tricky questions can be easily formed in vectors. Try to think of all the formulae available to you. It will surely help. Again, this is mostly based on revising and practicing. 

So, Coordinate Geometry, Vectors and 3D are mostly calculation based, with a handful of central concepts which apply to all the problems and situations. If you study it deeply you would find beautiful connections between various formulae and situations. I'll leave them for you to discover(NCERT style :p).

BOOKS

As usual, if you go to a coaching, follow that book. If you don't you can take this book from Resonance. I can't find the link for other books, so you'll have to take the ones mentioned below(I was from Resonance and found their study material pretty good).

If you want more practice, go for Arihant coordinate geometry and Vectors and 3D.

S.L. Loney is another beautiful book, with some very good questions. It is surely worth solving, if you have time. Apart from this, A. Das Gupta has some really nice questions in 2D coordinate geometry. Do solve them if you want a very good grasp and rank.

So, do well in coordinate and Vectors and 3D. They carry a huge weightage. They need some revision and practice. Give your best, and let me know if you have any doubts by commenting below.

All the best!!!

Also see : Calculus, Algebra, Trigonometry, Best books for JEE

Some Quora answers for exams

Motivation:

A motivational answer and must read, cause it means a lot to me.

My JEE story

For those who think of themselves as 'weak' students

How to stop being average

Perks of being at an IIT

Increasing productivity

Motivating yourself to study

Life at IITB

Some advices for students in class 9-10



Strategies:

Avoiding Social Media

Must have skills for any competitive examination

My schedule during JEE preparations

The best way to prepare for JEE

Some common mistakes during JEE preparations

Making a timetable

Some study hacks

Clear every exam in one click



Tests:

Must avoid mistakes during any exam(read a day before the exam too)

Analyzing test papers

If you are in Class 11:

For students at in the beginning of class 11.

Read it if you are are about to start class 11 or 12th exams

A year and a half left for JEE

For class 12 students:

JEE(Main) with just NCERT

Read it if you are are about to start class 11 or 12th exams

For students in the beginning of class 12.

How to score really well in JEE(Main)

Last days(after board exams):

3 weeks before JEE(Main)

10 days before JEE(Main)

Strategy after your JEE(Main) is over(40 days before JEE(Advanced))


Also check : Best books for JEE , A complete JEE preparation guide, Organic Chemistry, Mechanics, Algebra, Motivation

Last minute tips for JEE(Advanced)

It's all (almost) over. Around one week left for JEE(Advanced).

Time to add the finishing touches.

Nothing much can be done now for the study part. I would recommend seeing your formula book/ revise notes of all chapters. Don't try to study anything new. You can try learning chemistry for sure though. Inorganic Chemistry can be revised completely, and trust me, you MUST do it because final week revision is very important for Inorganic. Read the notes/book and try to recall everything(and maybe solve a few questions). You should also go for revising Organic Reactions and important mechanisms.

You must try to give at least 3 full-length tests in the last week if your syllabus is over. And in the same duration. Below are few things(many of them follow from the JEE(Main) article I wrote, cause they are used here too) which I feel must be followed on the exam day-

1. Before entering the exam hall:

• Make sure you bring all your documents, admit card, etc and reach before time.
• Drink enough water, have adequate food(not too much), stop studying by 8 P.M. or so on a day before the exam(have at least 7–8 hours of sleep).
• Go to the washroom before entering if you feel the need(you don’t want to go during the paper)
• .Many students study outside the exam hall. I don’t recommend that, and I also recommend ignoring such people if you aren’t one of them.
• Talk to your parents/guardian/teachers if they are present. Avoid talking to your ‘friends’. I remember my physics teacher saying that I should not worry, as he was pretty confident that I would go beyond expectations. These things ease out pressure.
• Be positive.

2. In the hall before the paper is distributed:

• You would be given an OMR sheet. You don’t want to mess with it. Fill all the details(please forgive me if the exam is online, just click the bubble in that case).
• DON’T FILL THE DETAILS(SPECIALLY ROLL NUMBER) WRONG.
• Do not mess with the invigilators in any way.
• Make sure you have filled everything correctly. You would still have around 30 minutes before paper commencements.(don’t remember the sequence, it might be before OMR distribution).
• Now, avoid talking to people around you. They would be unknown mostly. A self-talk helps at this time(I was pretty good at it).
• Relax and take a heavy breath(and all that kind of shit), but don’t sleep.

3. After Paper-1 is distributed:

• Don’t dive straight into the paper. Spend some time(5 minutes or so) looking at the questions. Try to get an idea as to what is tough and easy.
• Based on what is easy and what is your best subject, decide where to start.
• Attempt only a few easy questions in the beginning. Attempt 3-4 very easy questions from all the subjects first instead of attempting 15 questions from, say physics. This is where a lot of people go wrong. This builds confidence, as well as makes sure you attempt more.
• Don’t get stuck on a question for long. You can always do it later. This is a huge pitfall. JEE(Advanced) is meant to be tough(usually), and you must learn to move ahead if you get stuck.
• Fill the OMR section carefully and don’t keep it pending for the end. That sheet shows years of hard work. If you fill it wrong or you could not fill it(i.e. the exam gets over it before you fill it), then it would be really bad.
• Don’t answer without knowing(fluke).Choose the best option when in confusion. Don’t rely on ‘bonuses’.
• Use rough space wisely. It comes less in quantity(maybe they would provide some rough sheets, be careful whatever happens).
• Solve fast, but don’t solve things wrong. Cross check quickly before bubbling, if its possible. Use objective approach whenever possible(specially in mathematics). Differentiating options, considering equilateral triangle, eliminating options should be used as much as possible.

4. After Paper-1 and before Paper-2:

• Make sure you DON'T discuss the paper with anyone. Better stay away from everyone. Go to your parents/guardian/teachers. 
• Have some LIGHT food. Don't eat too much, else you'll feel sleepy(and don't stay hungry as well). Take some rest in a car or something if possible, and don't fall asleep. Do something relaxing(meditation,etc.). Stay energetic, and use this time to recover your energy.
• Don't get affected by performance in Paper 1 in any way. You might get overconfident or underconfident. Avoid it under all circumstances.
• Go back to the exam hall before the allotted time(30 minutes or as instructed).

5. During Paper 2:

• All points mentioned in Paper 1.
• Be energetic and unyielding irrespective of what happened in paper 1.

6. After the paper is over:

• Head straight home, and enjoy. You have been studying so hard for all these years. Time to chill!!!

You all must realize that JEE(Advanced) is one of the toughest exams out there, and you should respect that. Leave a question for later if you don't know/can't do it. Make the best out of those 6 hours. This is your last fight(for some time, of course), give your best shot.

It’s your moment, squeeze it and make it golden.

All the best!!!