Has clearing the JEE exam been your prolonged dream? With an aim to march ahead in the rat race, are you still chasing the seemingly elusive problems in Irodov? Still running after the most challenging obscure reaction mechanism in the appendix of Morrison and Boyd? Well, just pause for a moment. In all this pursuit, you might be forgetting the smaller, easily doable chapters, which always find their way into the question papers of JEE year after year.
The last thing you want is to spend copious hours on Electrochemistry and then come across a nine mark comprehension on Surface Chemistry, which you ignored due to lack of time while revising.
This article is an eye opener to those smaller topics which definitely make it to JEE and don’t require too much of effort to bag easy marks.
Before I begin with the subject-wise analysis, let me first give you some easy tricks to get good marks without putting in too much effort. You might underestimate the importance of these topics, but they’ll help you get that extra edge over others.
- Mechanics is one topic in Physics that is considered less scoring by most experts. However, to add to the dilemma, this is also the topic that forms the major portion of the JEE in terms of marks. So, this topic cannot be neglected.
- Modern Physics with its atoms, nuclei and radiations are some of the topics, which cannot be ignored during JEE Test. In fact, these topics will help you earn about 20-25 marks in the exam. Also, it requires not more than a couple of days to understand this topic. So, memorize easiest topics to score well in the test.
- Algebra can be made easier if you have the ability to picture functions as graphs and are good at applying vertical and horizontal origin shifts carefully as zeroes of functions and other specific values can be done in much less time using these techniques.
- Differential Calculus again relates well to roots of equations, especially if you use the Rolle’s and Lagrange’s theorems.
- Permutation-Combination and Probability is another very important topic in algebra. You need to be thorough with the basics of Bayes’ theorem, derangements and various ways of distribution. You need to take care of cases where objects are identical and when they are not.
- Matrices can be related to equations. Hence, a 3×3 matrix can be visualised as being three-planed in 3D geometry. Determinants have some very nice properties, for instance, the ability to break them into two using a common summand from a row/ column, which should be made use of in tougher questions.
- Everyone cannot memorize everything, nor understand every concept or a topic. In such scenarios, diagrams come to the rescue for a lot of students. They can even help you score well.
Note: It is wise to cover Wave Optics first in ‘Optics’ topic. The reason is that the portion is smaller compared to Ray Optics and thus, quick to cover.
Now, let’s move on to the subject-wise details of the most scoring topics that can be learned with minimum effort.
Physics
- Units & Dimensions and Experimental Physics require very little involvement of time and can be grasped by students in middle school also (OK, that maybe a stretch). This section plays an important role in the analysis of situations and eliminates options apart from the direct questions, which almost always show up every year in JEE.
- The experimental Physics component is equally essential with the IITs trying to push students to think about real-world situations outside of ideal gases and massless pulleys.
- Any question – whether it be based on Vernier Calipers or Micrometers – is a bonus waiting to be bagged by students. Both chapters don’t require too much of time to prepare but make sure they are kept high on your list when revising.
Mathematics
- The one chapter that stands out neglected is ‘Area Under The Curve’, the application of integral calculus, which is often overlooked when people chase Definite and Indefinite integration. Make sure you practice sufficient questions from this chapter to be able to deal with the questions under pressure.
- Another not-so-easy chapter that students leave in Maths is Solution/Properties of Triangles. The main fear created here is due to the volumes of formulae that books supply for this chapter to sell their product better.
- The truth is: if you’re well versed with the basics like the sine rule, cosine rule and the half angle formulae, you’re more or less good to go.
Chemistry
- This subject has many small topics, which tend to face step brotherly treatment from students due to their smaller size;-). They include Surface Chemistry, Polymers, Biomolecules and Practical Organic Chemistry.
- Surface chemistry is entirely conceptual and with not too much to read, it doesn’t require the intense preparation chapters like Electrochemistry and Thermodynamics require.
- Questions from Polymers and Biomolecules are almost permanent fixtures, and a couple of careful readings of the important reactions and the associated reagents is sufficient to be able to attempt the questions.
- POC is again a breezy read and the material from this chapter sometimes helps when solving large questions involving a series of reactions. Make sure you make short notes on all these chapters that require minimal effort.
Open your eyes to make your preparation a result of smart work and not all labour. Also, please understand that the topics mentioned here are just a few from an exhaustive list. Prepare intelligently and allocate your time well since that’s the most negligible resource.
If you find the paper tough, don’t be nervous. It is the relative performance that counts. So, put your best analytical mind to work, and believe in your preparation. Good luck!
You would also like to read how to keep your JEE preparation lean and the mistakes you should avoid in JEE preparation.
Cheers.
