Kalpit Veerwal

So, last few days left. You can't do much about the study part now. I'll recommend studying class 9-10 NCERT books(especially Social Science) in these 3-4 days. And make sure you solve 2-3 full-length papers before the exam.

Reach the examination city well before time(and reach 1 day before if traveling to another city).

Some tips for MAT paper-

I did a huge mistake of attempting all questions by line(I covered up for it in SAT though, else it would have been regretful). Don't do that. Solve easy questions like Mirror Image, Water Image first, and tough questions like tough series, coding-decoding later.
There might be paragraph questions with 4-5 questions based on one paragraph. Try doing that after all easy ones are done, it might kill your time.
Take intelligent guesses, but don't overdo.
Target should be maximum coverage of questions. Don't aim for attempting many questions. That should be done in SAT. Try to attempt maximum part 'correctly'.

SAT-

Go to Social Science first, and solve it fast and correctly. Don't make empty guesses.
Then do Science and Mathematics. Choose according to what suits you. My advice is to give time to Science first(I mean, like don't solve tough Math questions first, as they will consume time).
Rest of the tips are standard ones and can be found here-http://kalpitveerwal22.blogspot.in/2018/04/jeemain-2018-is-here.html

You should be well aware that NTSE won't affect your future much, and you should focus on your future endeavors, without caring much about the result. If you do well, it's awesome, but if you don't, don't worry : )

All the best!!!

Post your queries below.

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

Tuesday, 8 May 2018

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!!!

Monday, 7 May 2018

When you enter class 12

Many of you have been asking me for a post on JEE 20xx, i.e., those who have just entered class 12. Here is the much-awaited post.

See this post for Revision in class 12.

1. If you are a 'below average' student with many backlogs-

Well, you might be feeling left behind and might be getting poor ranks in test(obviously, because you don't know the material well). But don't worry, you can still make it. All you need is a little faith in yourself and hard work. Firstly, you know that you have backlogs. And you HAVE to clear them up in order to well in the exam. So make a list of all the topics you feel you don't have a tight grip on(you can even label them based on how much you know) and take out time to solve their problems. Use Sundays, holidays and free time to clear backlogs. Solve only basic questions(like HCV, the first exercise of coaching class sheet, etc.) first.

Never sacrifice your 12th for covering 11th. Focus well on what is being taught now. and do not repeat the mistakes you did in class 11. Try covering topics like NLM, Ionic Equilibrium, Trigonometry, Straight Line, etc. first, because these are needed in 12th too. Focus on problem-solving. Make sure you manage to clear all/most of your backlogs in 2-3 months. Plan accordingly(as in I have to complete Rotation revision in 2 weeks, Ionic equilibrium in 1 week, etc), and revise all three subjects more or less parallelly.

2. If you are a good student but not very confident of class 11-

Well, you must revise the whole class 11 syllabus again to get a top rank confidence in it. Solve your coaching material again, especially the part which is tough/you couldn't solve it in class 11. You can also go for other coaching material(not advisable), or go for books like HCV, A Das Gupta(I mentioned them in the last post), etc. You must make sure that you revise the entire 11th syllabus(without compromising 12th) in 2-3 months. Solve a lot of problems, give a lot of tests, ask a lot of doubts, and keep on improving your speed.

3. You are really good, and are aiming for a top 100 or so rank-

You guys know it all. You have a very good understanding of everything and are already clear with everything pretty well. There might be a few gap holes. Seal them(like, you might not have studied a less important/few topics. Cover them up well. Then move to the real stuff. Try to improve your skills to get to the top in your tests, prepare for Olympiads and all. Solve Chemistry and Physics Olympiads stage 2 papers (and stage 1 too). Go for other coaching tests. Solve books like Irodov, Krotov, A Das Gupta, SL Loney, Solomons, etc. Whatever happens, do not rest.

Basically, the rules are the same work hard and don't give up. Leave your queries as comments.

P.S.- I have made this blog in order to reach those not on Facebook/Quora. Please share the blog link with your friends/ JEE preparation groups on Whatsapp and all.

All the best.

Sunday, 6 May 2018

Target JEE 2020

Hello guys!!!

Many of you must have recently started your JEE preparations after your 10th board exams. You might already be finding the stuff tough and challenging with the summer heat on rising.

So I'll be sharing some things which you must follow from now until the end, and some specific things to be followed in class 11. No one can stop you from getting selected provided you follow all these tips and work hard.

1. Work Hard

This is the best and the most important tip anyone can give you. You must not give up in these two years. There will be many ups and downs in these two years. But you must remember that you will reach your destination if you don't give up. My best friend in class 11-12th was not very good at studies and did not perform well. But he kept on working and finally made it to an IIT. There can be no substitute for hard work.

2. Be consistent

When you go to your coaching class, your teachers would be giving you some homework. Solve it on a daily basis. Do not rest before you solve it or before the day is over. Put your maximum effort. Same applies to tests. Try to solve the test to your fullest capabilities without worrying about the marks. Sit for the full length of the paper. Try to solve all the questions you could not solve during the test when you reach home. When in doubt consult the solution and solve the questions again without looking at the solution. Be consistent throughout your journey, and you are done.

3. Ask doubts

Get your doubts cleared. Do not hesitate to consult your teachers or friends when in trouble. Contact family, friends, and teachers when underconfident. Academic doubts must be asked to teachers as and when you have them. Doubts can be dangerous if accumulated. Have a few helpful friends who can clear your doubts. But you must first put your maximum effort in solving the questions.

4. Focus

No hangouts, relationships, parties, social media, mobile phones, PC games, TV, etc. You should be focused on your goals. Everything in moderation is OK, but do keep your priorities sorted. Have a good friend circle.

5. Study Material

For those who are enrolled in a 'good' national/reputed local coaching, your coaching material must be your bible. First finish it twice(solving and then revise). Then move on to these-

Must solve books- Physics- 1.Anyone of HCV/Resnick Halliday/University Physics
2. NCERT
3. Previous 40 years IITJEE Physics papers, chapterwise
Mathematics-
1.. NCERT
2. Previous 40 years IITJEE Mathematics papers, chapterwise
Chemistry-1. NCERT(MUST)
2. Previous 40 years IITJEE Chemistry papers, chapterwise

Books for more problems- Physics- DC Pandey New Pattern Problems in Physics, Deb Mukherjee Objective Problems in Physics, DLP/class room material of a good coaching.
Mathematics- Subjective problems by A Das Gupta, Arihant Skills in Mathematics Series, DLP of other coachings.
Chemistry- P. Bahadur Problems in Physical Chemistry, Solomons and MS Chauhan Organic, and OP Tandon(for problems), and DLPs as always.

Books for Olympiads/very good rank Irodov, Krotov in Physics, SL Loney(triginometry and Coordinate Geometry) for mathematics, and JD Lee, Paula Bruice for Chemistry. You must solve the Advanced Level questions of your coaching sheet too. Leave no stone unturned for this.

First get reviews from people and Internet and then chose which books to consult and which not.

If you don't go to coaching, better order a DLP from a good Coaching, or use books like Arihant Skill in Mathematics, etc. in Physics and Chemistry(easily available in Market) to prepare, and be regular. Joining an offline/online test series will always help.

Remember that your input matters more than books or coaching.

6. Difference creators-Holidays

Many students tend to waste their holidays(summer break, Diwali break, etc.) Use that time well. We hardly get free time in these two years. It's not wise to waste it. Try covering backlogs in this time. Make a diary, write down what all you have in your mind and put it down in your diary. Make a schedule and follow it. Make sure that basic backlogs are removed first and then move on to advanced ones. These breaks can make a huge difference.

Finally, I would like to say that stay updated on the blog, share it with your friends and study well!!! Give a lot of tests and exams and put your best effort. This journey is very memorable, and make sure the memories turn out to be good.

Comment anything you wanna ask.

All the best!!!

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

Monday, 9 April 2018

How to use the time between JEE(Main) and JEE(Advanced)?

*CASE 1: You are barely crossing the cutoff

You should be well aware of the fact that these exam are subject to a lot of internal and external factors. It might be possible that you deserved much more, but simply couldn’t perform well on that day. This doesn’t mean your chance is over. You have potential, you just couldn’t prove it this time. rather take it as a challenge to improve next time.
So step one is to get motivated again. Talk to your teachers and parents, they will help. Many people perform poorly in JEE(Main) and do well in JEE(Advanced). Not an issue.
Then analyze your paper of JEE(Main) 2018 and see why exactly did you loose marks? Were you not aware of the concepts? Did you commit too many silly mistakes? Did you get panicked? Was your speed too slow? Write it down somewhere and analyze each and every question. You will get to your mistakes.
Make a list of all your weak topics, strong topics and average topics. I recommend making the average ones strong, because JEE(Advanced) needs strong concepts. Start practcing questions from coaching sheets. COMPLETE YOUR COACHING MATERIAL BEFORE ANYTHING ELSE(assuming you are from a good coaching). Try to cover easy topics first because you want to get into IIT XYZ, your aim should not be IITB CSE or something for now. First ensure that you get an IIT and then go for improving your rank by practicing tough questions.
Give all the tests of your coaching, and solve all the assignments given. Clear your doubts then and there.
Improve examination temperament because that is the most important thing. Give a lot of tests and apply point 3 above on each test.
Try a lot of questions and see solutions after you do it/if you can’t solve after sufficient time. Make sure you know each and every question you do by heart.
Physics and Mathematics will need huge amount of problem solving. Do it. Learn all important reactions in chemistry. It will save you on the exam day.
Give maximum time to studies. MAXIMUM.
Your study material should be your coaching material and past papers only. Try covering as much as possible.

CASE 2: Performed decently, but can do better
All points in CASE 1, and cover each and every topic of your material. Make it fully strong. Leave no stone unturned. Don’t leave anything thinking that it won’t come. You can improve/diminish your rank by a factor of 10 or more, depending on what you do now and in the exam. Your study material should also be only coaching material, you can also join some test series.
CASE 3: 300+ scorers/highly motivated to do well in JEE(Advanced)
These people get into top 100 or so, provided they continue the hardwork(not that others can’t do it). Do everything in CASE 1 and CASE 2. But you can also go for books like Irodov, other coaching material, etc. I recommend doing some good coaching material for extra practice of mathematics.
I hope I have cleared some queries of many students.
All the best!!!
*CASE 0: You have scored very less and won’t make it to JEE(Advanced):
A few students have messaged me saying that they want to end end their lives because of this. Life has a lot to offer, please don’t do anything like that. Your parents and family would prefer a non IITian son/daughter than a dead one. There are many people who do well in life without being IITians. And believe me, an IIT isn’t a dreamland. We have our own problems. just be happy with who you are : )

P.S.- With reference to JEE 2018. Will answer about other years soon.

Saturday, 7 April 2018

Last minute tips for JEE(Main)

I’ll be telling some common mistakes during the exam(i.e.) tomorrow. Avoid each of these to score well. I have tried to order them chronologically. Read till the end.

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 do 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.
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 the paper 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 5–6 very easy questions from all the subjects first instead of attempting 20 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.
Fill the OMR 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 invigilator collects 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.
Solve fast, but don’t solve things wrong. Cross check quickly before bubbling if its possible.
Use objective approach whenever possible(especially in mathematics). Differentiating options, considering equilateral triangle, eliminating options should be used as much as possible.

4. After the paper is over:

Head straight home, have lunch and chill for the day.
Calculate your marks by evening. Stay happy and don’t get depressed or overconfident. i was scoring 350–360 from various keys. All were happy. but I went back to my books at night.
Start preparing for JEE(Advanced) or any other exam.
I would recommend staying very positive and motivated. Don’t take any pressure. You all will get what you deserve. Give your best.

You can see this post- Preparing for JEE(Advanced) after JEE(Main) is over

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

All the best.