How to prepare for JEE Mains

Posted on: March 3, 2025, Author: Zafar Tapadar


JEE Mains is one of the most competitive entrance exams in India conducted by NTA (National Testing Agency), serving as the gateway to prestigious engineering institutes like NITs, IIITs, and other top colleges. Every year lakhs of students appear for this exam, making it crucial to have a solid preparation strategy for aspirants.

For aspirants thinking about how to prepare for JEE Mains they must understand that to succeed in JEE Mains it requires a well-structured approach, strong conceptual clarity, rigorous practice, and effective time management. This guide will help candidates navigate through the best strategies to prepare efficiently and maximize their chances of securing a high rank.

Understanding the JEE Mains Exam Pattern: How to Prepare for JEE Mains

Candidates who are planning about how to prepare for JEE Mains before getting started with preparation, understanding the exam pattern is crucial:



Creating a Smart Study Plan

A structured study plan ensures effective coverage of the syllabus and systematic revision. Here’s how you can plan efficiently for the exam:

i. Set a Daily Schedule: Allocate fixed hours everyday for studying, revision, and mock tests.

ii. Prioritize Topics: Focus on high-weightage topics in the beginning.

iii. Use a Balanced Approach: Cover all three subjects daily to maintain consistency.

iv. Set Weekly & Monthly Goals: Helps track progress and adjust study methods accordingly.

v. Include Revision Time: Regular revision of concepts help in retaining information.


Subject-wise Preparation Strategy for JEE Mains

Each subject requires a distinct approach for effective preparation.


Physics

i. Focus on conceptual clarity rather than rote learning.

ii. Solve numerical problems daily to strengthen problem-solving skills.

iii. Understand derivations and their applications.

iv. Important topics: Mechanics, Electricity & Magnetism, Optics, Modern Physics.

v. Recommended Books:

NCERT Physics

H.C. Verma (Concepts of Physics)

D.C. Pandey (Arihant Series)


Chemistry

i. Divide your preparation into Physical, Organic, and Inorganic Chemistry.

ii. Physical Chemistry: Solve numerical problems and focus on formulas.

iii. Organic Chemistry: Understand reaction mechanisms rather than memorizing.

iv. Inorganic Chemistry: NCERT is key; revise periodically.

v. Important topics: Thermodynamics, Coordination Compounds, Biomolecules, Polymers.

vi. Recommended Books:

NCERT Chemistry

O.P. Tandon (Physical & Inorganic Chemistry)

Morrison & Boyd (Organic Chemistry)


Mathematics

i. Strengthen basics and formulas.

ii. Practice problem-solving speed and accuracy.

iii. Important topics: Algebra, Calculus, Coordinate Geometry, Trigonometry.

iv. Recommended Books:

NCERT Mathematics

R.D. Sharma

Cengage Mathematics Series


How many attempts for JEE Mains


Importance of NCERT Books

i. NCERT books are the foundation for aspirants thinking about how to prepare for JEE Mains.

ii. Many direct questions are asked from NCERT, especially in Chemistry.

iii. Builds strong conceptual clarity, making it easier to grasp advanced topics.

iv. NCERT books should be read thoroughly multiple times by aspiring students before moving to advanced reference books in their preparation journey.


Solving Previous Years’ Papers and Mock Tests

Practicing previous year question papers and taking regular mock tests is one of the most effective ways for how to prepare for JEE Mains and increase the chances of securing good ranks.


Why Solve PYQs & Mocks?

1. Understand Exam Pattern: Increases familiarity with question types and difficulty level.

2. Improve Time Management: Taking regular mock tests and solving previous year questions helps improve time management skills of aspiring candidates.

3. Analyze Strengths & Weaknesses: It helps to identify and work on weak areas.

4. Enhance Accuracy & Speed: Minimizes negative marking by improving precision.

5. Boost Confidence: Simulating real exam conditions leads better performance during exam.


Time Management & Exam-Taking Strategies

Managing time efficiently during JEE Mains is crucial for maximizing your score.


How to prepare for JEE Advanced

Role of Coaching Institutes

While self-study is important, coaching institutes provide additional support to aspiring students thinking about how to prepare for JEE Mains.

Benefits of Coaching Institutes:

i. Structured study plans.

ii. Expert guidance and doubt resolution.

iii. Regular mock tests and analysis.


Maintaining a Healthy Lifestyle

Good health plays a vital role in efficient preparation.

i. Balanced Diet: Eat nutritious food to stay energetic.

ii. Adequate Sleep: Ensure 6-8 hours of sleep daily.

iii. Exercise & Meditation: Helps in stress management and better concentration.

iv. Avoid Social Media Distractions: Limit phone usage to stay focused.

v. Take Breaks: Short breaks after every study session improve productivity.


Common Mistakes to Avoid

Many students make avoidable mistakes during their JEE preparation. Here’s what they should be aware of:

i. Not revising regularly leads to forgetting concepts.

ii. Instead of relying on too many books stick to limited and reliable resources.

iii. Use NCERT books properly and revise them thoroughly instead of ignoring them.

iv. Not taking Mock Tests seriously, they simulate real exam environment.

v. Neglecting weaker subjects, instead balance the preparation across all the subjects.


Final Revision Strategy Before Exam

i. Focus on revision rather than learning new topics in the last 30 days.

ii. Summary notes help quick reference for formulas and key concepts.

iii. Prioritize frequently asked topics, revise high weightage topics.

iv. Solve mock tests as it simulates real exam conditions.


Conclusion

JEE Mains is a challenging exam, but with smart planning, consistent efforts, and the right strategy, success is achievable. Stay disciplined, revise regularly, practice mock tests, and maintain confidence. Remember, perseverance and determination will ultimately lead you to your dream engineering college.


FAQs related to how to prepare for JEE Mains

1. How many questions are there in JEE Mains?

The JEE Main exam for 2025 has 90 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and numerical value questions (NVQs).

2. How many marks are required to clear JEE Mains?

The minimum marks required to clear JEE Mains depends on the category of the candidate and varies from year to year. The National Testing Agency (NTA) will release the passing marks for JEE Mains. 

General : 92 – 100

General PwD : 0.0017 – 92

EWS: 83 – 92

OBC-NCL: 78 – 92

SC: 61 – 92

ST: 47 – 9

3. How many percent required for JEE Mains?

Candidates need to score at least 75% in 12th board exam in case they are from General category and if they are from SC/ST category, they need to score atleast 65%. They can also qualify if they are from the top 20 percentile of class 12 exam.