About IIT JEE - Applying, Studying and Cracking

IIT JEE is probably the toughest exam in the whole of Asia - the simple reason is that IITs are the best undergraduate institutes in the world. There are just ten thousand seats and lakhs of students vie for it (about 4 lakh students appeared for the exam last year). The competition is tough but to be an IITian is a dream for every engineering aspirant. Heres finding out how to crack the IIT JEE

Whats IIT JEE

Entry to IIT is based on one single exam and that is IIT JEE. Director of IIT Mumbai, Prof Devang Khakhar says, You have to be smart and work hard to enter IIT. It's important to know the concepts and fundamentals well to pass the IIT JEE exam. You must be thorough with the basics taught at HSC. Praveen Tyagi, MD, IITians Pace says, It comprises of class XI and XII Physics, Chemistry and Maths syllabus. The difference between board exams and IIT JEE is that you need conceptual clarity in the concepts involved.

When to start

Earlier, students began studying for IIT after Std X exams, that is the routine now too. But with competition getting tougher, students now begin attending coaching classes right from class VIII, XI and X. Praveen says, The syllabus of Std VIII, XI and X is almost same as Std XI and XII. A class VIII student learns the subjects in depth and in point of view of IIT. If that is stressing then you can start off immediately after Std X. Sincere students should take a lead by studying immediately , adds Praveen.

Applying for IIT

You will find ads in the newspapers announcing the IIT JEE. The forms for can be collected from State Bank branches from Oct-Nov . December end is the last date for the form submission and the admit card is sent to the students within a month. The IIT JEE is conducted in the month of April.

Get ready for the challenge

I started studying after class X exams. A lot of practice tests prepared me. You need a lot of self study in the form of solving problems, says Pararth Shah, first year student of IIT and 4th ranker of IIT JEE 2009. The exam is not as tough as it is said to be, says Pararth. Your concepts should be clear and you should be able to apply it in new ways. The paper pattern and format of questions is new every year, so you have to be ready for the challenge.

Develop analytical skills

In school exams you are only tested for memory, but here you need analytical and problem solving skills. Shailee Mehta , last year IIT Mumbai student, says, They want to know if there is concept clarity, analytical thinking rather than cramming of definitions. Problems are 99% never seen before so its not like recalling it and putting it on paper. Its more about applying the concepts you have understood. They want to solve the challenging problems in technology and so they want the best students.

Being cautious

Because the exams are popular, one must do a proper verification of the coaching class as many of them are known to advertise results of students who have never studied at their class. Also check if the classes have teachers who are former IITians. You can also talk to current IIT students to get the right guideline. Praveen Tyagi says that it is not necessary that the child has to score top marks in SSC to get in IIT. IIT is not cramming. Right guidance is necessary. In depth studies are necessary either through proper self study or guidance through a coaching class, he adds.

Can Schools be of any help?

Yes, reading through the article one can easily understand that cracking an IIT exam is not easy for all the students and the basic reason for this is that only good memory cannot help one to crack this exam. You should have the basic and in-depth understanding of the concepts and that you should be able to apply them in different situations. Since the paper is completely different every year only the students who have good application, critical and creative thinking skills can crack this exam like having a cup of coffee. If the teachers at school focus more on the concepts than the examination or syllabus every child could possibly become a superstar student and make every engineering school an IIT.