There are only a few months left before the first session of the JEE Main engineering entrance exam, which is set to take place from January 21 to 30, 2026, tentatively, with more than 13 lakh candidates preparing for the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main 2026. We have provided JEE Main preparation tips on how to improve the candidates' chances of achieving 100 percentile, along with changes made in the JEE Main exam pattern and JEE Main syllabus for 2026.
Preparing for the JEE Main 2026 exam should involve more than just putting in a lot of study time; it should also involve making every minute matter. At prestigious engineering colleges, where thousands of students vie for a small number of seats, time management and astute tactics distinguish top scorers from the average pool. Effectively organizing your study schedule will help you feel less stressed and perform better on test day.
The JEE Main 2026 exam dates have been declared by NTA. The dates of the first and second JEE Main exam sessions are set for January 21 - 30, 2026, and April 1 - 10, 2026, respectively. The JEE Mains 2026 registrations for the first session has begin on October 31, 2025.
To finish the JEE Main syllabus, students must now strike a balance between practicing mock tests and revision work. A well-planned strategy and unwavering focus can have a significant impact. Here are some easy, efficient strategies to maximize your time while getting ready for JEE Main 2026, from creating daily objectives to keeping up a healthy habit.
How Can You Maximize Your Time During JEE Main Preparation 2026?
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Make a Practical Study Schedule: Divide the extensive material into manageable chunks to begin. Give each subject—mathematics, chemistry, and physics—a set number of hours. To keep your mind busy, try employing brief, concentrated study sessions interspersed with frequent breaks rather than spending a lot of time sitting down.
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Establish Specific, Achievable Goals: Setting daily and weekly objectives aids in maintaining preparation. Follow the topic-by-topic JEE Mains 2026 study guide. Monitoring development boosts self-esteem and aids in the early detection of problem areas.
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Forget Rote Learning: The JEE Main exam paper is application-based; therefore, forget about rote learning. Before tackling more difficult problems, use NCERT books to reinforce your fundamentals. Better performance under exam pressure is ensured by concept clarity.
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Practice Mock Exams and Examine Errors: Frequent mock exams are essential. They help you become a better time manager in addition to testing your knowledge. After each test, take the time to examine your mistakes and identify any trends.
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Study Resources: Only three months are remaining; therefore, use trustworthy notebooks, NCERTs, and question banks. To rapidly and effectively remember the topics, use assignments and revision sheets.
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Disciplined approach: Whether it's self-study or lectures that have been recorded, what matters is how well you use your time rather than how much you spend it. Avoid interruptions and protect your study time.
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Studying effectively is impossible when your mind is exhausted. Strike a balance between study and rest, and health. Eat a balanced diet, get 6–8 hours of sleep, and do some mild exercise. Focus and brain refreshment are also enhanced by brief breaks in between study periods.
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Keep Revising Frequently: Set aside at least one day per week for editing. Review key concepts, equations, and past exam errors. Regular revision lessens the load near the test and guarantees long-term retention.
Latest Changes in the JEE Main Exam Pattern and JEE Main Syllabus 2026
The pre-pandemic JEE Main exam pattern has been reinstated. The elimination of optional questions in Section B, which were formerly added to lessen applicant stress, is one significant change.
Candidates now have to respond to all 25 questions in mathematics, chemistry, and physics. A total of 75 questions make up Paper 1, which is intended for B.Tech candidates. There are 20 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and five numerical value questions (NVQs) for each subject.
Because there are no longer any optional questions, all applicants will be asked the same number of questions, resulting in a more consistent assessment.
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Mode of Examination: Online (Computer-Based Test) except for the Drawing section in B. Arch, which is offline.
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Duration: 3 hours (for Paper 1) and 3 hours and 30 minutes (for Paper 2)
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Shifts: First Shift (9 AM to 12 noon); Second Shift (3 PM to 6:30 PM)
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Type of Questions: 20 MCQs per subject, 5 Numerical Value Questions per subject
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Marking Scheme:
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+4 for a correct answer
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-1 for an incorrect answer (MCQs and NVQs Both)
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No penalty for unattempted questions
Numerical value questions are subject to negative marking.
The addition of negative marking for numerical value questions (NVQs) is another noteworthy change. In the past, NVQs did not have penalties for incorrect answers; only MCQs did. Candidates who provide incorrect answers in NVQs will also lose points under the new marking scheme.
Because wrong answers now immediately lower the final score, this modification encourages more caution when taking NVQs. To optimize their performance, candidates must practice accuracy and precision when solving numerical issues.
Trimmed JEE Main syllabus for Focused preparation
As a result of modifications made by NTA last year, some topics have been removed from the JEE Main 2026 syllabus. Chapters on Unit Vectors, Scalars & Vectors, Vector Addition and Subtraction, Scalar & Vector Products, and Resolution of Vectors have been eliminated from the physics curriculum.
Whole chapters on chemistry, including States of Matter, Surface Chemistry, and General Principles and Processes of Isolation of Metals, have been eliminated. Additionally, P-Block element-related topics have been streamlined or eliminated.
The JEE Main Syllabus for mathematics has not changed from the previous year, when subjects like complex numbers, quadratic equations, coordinate geometry, and three-dimensional geometry were eliminated.
New Tie-Breaking Regulations Based on Performance
Additionally, the JEE Main ranks tie-breaking criteria have been updated. In the past, ties between candidates with similar scores were broken based on factors including the candidate's age and the quantity of applications. These factors are no longer present.
Subject-wise performance and error ratios are given priority under the new regulations. Based on their scores in mathematics, physics, and chemistry, candidates with the same overall score will be ranked higher. If there are still ties, the percentage of wrong to right answers in each topic will be looked at, and each subject will be further evaluated in the same order. Candidates will receive the same rank if a tie cannot be decided after using all of these criteria.
The eligibility criteria no longer include an age limit.
For JEE Main aspirants, the age limit has been removed. With this modification, candidates can apply at any age as long as they meet the educational requirements. Opportunities for older candidates or those who have taken a break from their studies are made possible by the abolition of the age restriction.
A wider spectrum of applicants can now take the exam thanks to this modification, which opens up admittance to esteemed engineering schools.
Reduction in cities and testing locations
There are now 284 JEE Main exam centres, down from 300 the previous year. With the removal of some cities in nations including Australia, Brazil, Canada, and Hong Kong, the number of international centres has decreased from 24 to 14.
Notable adjustments have occurred in a few Indian states: Telangana added two new cities, Andhra Pradesh lost twelve, and Odisha's exam cities decreased from 23 to 17. Tamil Nadu added two new cities while removing three. Despite certain removals, Maharashtra saw a modest net growth.
Key Differences Between JEE Main 2026 Paper 1 & Paper 2
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Feature
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Paper 1 (B.Tech)
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Paper 2A (B. Arch)
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Paper 2B (B. Plan)
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Subjects
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Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics
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Mathematics, Aptitude, Drawing
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Mathematics, Aptitude, Planning
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Mode
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Online (CBT)
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Online + Offline (Drawing)
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Online (CBT)
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Total Marks
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300
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400
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400
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Drawing Test
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No
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Yes
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No
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Planning Questions
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No
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No
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Yes
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Subject-Wise JEE Main Syllabus 2026 Breakdown
Three disciplines make up Paper 1 (B.Tech) of JEE Main:
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Physics
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Chemistry
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Mathematics
Other topics like Drawing, Aptitude, and Planning are offered in Paper 2 (B. Arch/B. Plan).
JEE Main 2026 Paper 1 (B.Tech) Exam Pattern
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Subject
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Section A
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Section B
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Marks per Question
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Total Marks
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Physics
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20
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5
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+4 for correct, -1 for wrong
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100
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Chemistry
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20
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5
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+4 for correct, -1 for wrong
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100
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Mathematics
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20
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5
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+4 for correct, -1 for wrong
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100
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Total
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60
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15
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300 Marks
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JEE Main Paper 2A (B. Arch) Pattern
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Subject
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Total Questions
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Marks per Question
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Total Marks
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Mathematics
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25
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+4 for correct, -1 for wrong
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100
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Aptitude Test
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50
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+4 for correct, -1 for wrong
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200
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Drawing Test
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2 (Offline)
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50 per question
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100
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Total
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77
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400 Marks
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JEE Main Paper 2B (B. Plan) Pattern
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Subject
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Total Questions
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Marks per Question
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Total Marks
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Mathematics
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25
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+4 for correct, -1 for wrong
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100
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Aptitude Test
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50
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+4 for correct, -1 for wrong
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200
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Planning-Based Questions
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25
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+4 for correct, -1 for wrong
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100
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Total
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100
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400 Marks
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The Key JEE Main 2026 Chapters Based on Historical Patterns
Although every topic is significant, certain chapters have continuously received more weight in JEE Main based on past years' exam questions.
High-Weightage Chapters in Physics
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Chapters
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Questions Asked
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Modern Physics
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6-8
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Current Electricity & Capacitors
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5-7
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Ray Optics & Wave Optics
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3-5
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Electromagnetic Induction & Alternating Current
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4-5
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Laws of Motion & Work, Energy, Power
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4-6
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Rotational Motion
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3-5
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High-Weightage Chapters in Chemistry
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Chapters
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Questions Asked
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Organic Chemistry (Reaction Mechanisms)
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7-9
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Chemical & Ionic Equilibrium
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5-7
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Coordination Compounds
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3-5
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d- & f-Block Elements
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4-6
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Thermodynamics & Chemical Kinetics
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5-6
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Electrochemistry
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3-4
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High-Weightage Chapters in Mathematics
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Chapters
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Questions Asked
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Calculus (Limits, Differentiation, Integration)
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7-9
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Coordinate Geometry
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6-8
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Matrices & Determinants
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5-7
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Probability & Permutation/Combination
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4-6
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Vector Algebra & 3D Geometry
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4-6
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Complex Numbers & Quadratic Equations
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3-5
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How Being Prepared Ahead of Time Can Help?
A student's chances of success might be greatly increased by beginning their JEE Main preparation early. This is the reason:
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Improved Concept Clarity: Rather than racing through the course, starting early enables students to comprehend concepts at a deeper level.
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More Practice Time: JEE demands accuracy and quickness in problem-solving, not just formula knowledge. Greater practice results from greater time, and improved performance follows.
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Less tension, More Confidence: Students who begin their studies early have a well-organized study schedule, which lowers tension at the last minute and increases confidence before the test.
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Stronger Foundations: The NCERT syllabus for Classes 11 and 12 serves as the basis for several JEE themes. Students who prepare ahead of time are guaranteed to grasp the fundamentals, which facilitates the solution of more complex problems later on.
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Time for Mock Exams & Revision: Students who start early have more time to complete mock exams, examine their errors, and work on their weak areas, all of which are essential for raising test scores.
Short-Term Preparation
To increase your score if you have just a few months left before JEE Main, you must take a focused and rigorous strategy.
Give High-Weightage Topics Priority
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Based on the previous year's exam papers, determine which subjects are more important and concentrate on them first.
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Coordinate geometry, electrostatics, organic chemistry, and thermodynamics are a few subjects that receive good scores.
Effective Revision Technique
Analysis and Full-Length Mock Tests
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To increase your speed, accuracy, and time management, take practice exams every day.
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Examine errors and make revisions to weak areas after every test.
A well-crafted JEE Main Crash Course can assist with speed improvement, doubt resolution, and rapid revision.
When Self-Study Is Sufficient:
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You can comprehend subjects from books and internet sources and have excellent intellectual clarity.
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Without outside encouragement, you can maintain a rigorous study regimen because you are disciplined.
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You can effectively assess your shortcomings and errors.
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You get access to online question banks and quality study resources.
When Coaching Is Required:
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You require organized direction since you have trouble understanding concepts.
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To answer questions and clarify complex subjects, you want knowledgeable mentors.
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Peer learning and a competitive atmosphere improve your performance.
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To improve your score, you want to use test series, problem-solving approaches, and shortcuts.