Saturday 25 June 2016

Post after a long time

Hey guys, how is it going? Its me Aman after a long time. This time I will be writing about those who are preparing for JEE 2018 (that is, those who most likely started preparation this year).

Since its June, everyone must have gained some momentum (pun?). You must have got a flavor of JEE preparation. You must have seen a nice competition in your school/coaching institute. Now is a good time to look back into what you did since you started your JEE preparation.

Physics: most likely you have completed the chapters on vectors, basic calculus and you must be studying kinematics
Chemistry: Most people study mole concept in the beginning
Maths: Varies a lot. Some start with calculus, others with coordinate geometry.

Whatever you did, you must now look back and see "how much" you did what you did.
Confused? I will elaborate what I mean.
I mean to say that you should try to revise what you did and realize how much you understand the stuff that you completed.

  • You are confident that you can solve problems and you did practice some good books and you were able to solve the problems: good! You are on the right track. This is the ideal strategy to follow!
  • You are confident that you can solve problems, but you haven't solved problems yet: well, this isn't a good habit. How can you feel confident without solving problems? Try a bunch of problems from each chapter.
  • You don't feel confident and you have been trying hard to solve problems: Well, this happened with me in the beginning and I feel that its very normal (provided that this doesn't happen for a really long time). I tried my best, but still I used to be bowled by some questions. And then when I took help from teachers/friends, I realized that it was a silly problem, which had some concept that I knew. This made me realize that I should "think" more exhaustively before approaching people for help and that did help me in a long run. Since its just the beginning, you have only a few concepts. It is generally a good idea to "brainstorm" the possible methods. For instance, as soon as I saw a mechanics problem, I used to think - is it related to simple equations of motion (if acceleration is constant, yes!)? Has it something to do with laws of motion? Work energy theorem? Will conservation of momentum help? This soon became a habit and I could feel that I started feeling more comfortable with problems.
  • You don't feel confident and you haven't tried problems as well: you seem to be trouble. It seems that you are still in your comfort zone. This strategy might have helped you get a 9 pointer in 10th class, but this won't work for JEE. you NEED to solve problems else you are heading nowhere.
Also, by now, you should be wise enough to understand that books will remain your best friend and guide for your JEE preparation (usually better than just classroom notes, unless you are enrolled in some exceptional coaching institute). If you even slightly feel that your teachers are not good enough, or if you feel that you are not getting enough practice, I would suggest you to not wait, and straight away buy books and read them and solve problems. I am saying this because its just the beginning and it is very easy to get back on track. You haven't really lost any time now. This won't be the case say 6 months hence. Time flies by quickly. After 6 months, if you wake up, it would be very hard for you to get back in the marathon. For a range of books suggested by me, head to Books section.

I would suggest not buying a large number of books at this stage. At the same time, I would suggest buying at least 2 books - one that contains ample of theory with beginner level problems, and other that contain advanced problems. Make sure to practice advanced problems AFTER you are thorough with easy ones. Also make sure you DEFINITELY solve hard problems. Don't think that "I will solve them when I have gained enough knowledge" (this happens with a lot of people!). You gain enough knowledge by solving problems. It is NOT the other way.

I hope this post helps you. Feel free to ask comments. Its a weekend and most likely I will reply to the comments.
All the best!

56 comments:

  1. Hey Aman Sir I have enrolled in a local coaching center Should i need to buy fiitjee rsm or only books

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Books are recommended. FIITJEE RSM is tougher than JEE and is not recommended for beginners

      Delete
    2. When it is ideal time to buy FIITJEE RSM

      Delete
  2. Hi Aman I m also preparing for JEE 2018, I m quite Comfortable solving advanced problem. But in Recent tests conducted by my coaching institute I m a scoring a rank under 20 amongst 110 students but I want to be there on the top , what should I do? Please help. Also I can't concentrate on my studies for a long time,how can I keep myself motivated and study for longer hours? PLEASE HELP!! thanks in advance....and your blog is really good!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You seem to fall in category 3 - "You don't feel confident and you have been trying hard to solve problems". Read the points mentioned in the 3rd bullet, that should help

      Delete
  3. Hello aman bhaiya iam enrolled to fiitjee pinnacle program .
    1) for physical chemistry i have purchased op tandon but my teacher says it contain only quantity of questions but of no variation. So what should i do?
    2) apart from fiitjee packages should i buy reference books for maths as many say that fiitjee packages are sufficient?
    3)in physics iam not confident in solving difficult problems .so should i look for irodov or not? Since i have hcv and dc pandey .
    4)what should be the good rank in all india integrated test series to know we are going in right track

    Thank you and best wishes for your future . please reply

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 1.) Your teachers are partially correct. OP Tondon is good for beginners. For more variety, try purchasing RC Mukherjee physical chemistry, which is quite good. It contains advanced problems (and minimal theory)

      Delete
    2. Thank you but please reply to other questions

      Delete
    3. Sorry, I think I missed some doubts.
      2.) Coaching packages are never sufficient (at least they were never enough for me) and I relied heavily on books.
      3.) No, its not a good time to start with Irodov. I would recommend solving HC Verma or whatever book you use + your coaching packages and then move to Irodov. I personally started off with Irodov after 11th standard was complete
      4.) The rank that you want in JEE?

      Delete
  4. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  5. hi! aman
    i am a student of cls10 . how can i start preparation for iitjee from cls10

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Here you go: http://amangoeliitb.blogspot.com/2014/03/to-be-winner-start-early-post-for-those.html

      Delete
  6. Hey aman ,

    I just wanted to know that can a good coaching material ( fiitjee + resonance ) compensate for the standard books that you have mentioned in this blog.

    P S : i aim for an under 50 rank in jee adv

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Depends. For me, books are always the best. They show me the details that coaching materials miss out. Books help me get a feel of topic. Maybe its just a personal choice. But I would recommend using books

      Delete
  7. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  8. hi aman ,
    I have joined fiitjee but my teachers are not up to the mark. Can rigorous self study (from good books) compensate for this. I just want to know that will I be at a disadvantage from those students who are at kota and have the best teachers.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I too faced bad teachers, especially chemistry. If you are dependent on teachers, then good luck. If you are dependent on self study, all the best!

      Delete
  9. Hello aman ,
    As you have been with and know many top rankers of jee , can you tell me any common trait which differentiates a top ranker from others. Do you know any person who secured a good jee rank without the help of good teachers.
    please reply as it will be very motivating for me , whatever your answer is.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well, if you call AIR 33 as a "top" rank, then I fall into the category of people you mentioned. I too had to face bad teachers. In fact, I was so fed up with chemistry faculty that I had applied for a "center change" to FIITJEE Delhi (I was enrolled at FIITJEE Kanpur). But in the end, Chemistry did not stop me from getting a good rank because I relied on self study

      Delete
  10. Hi Aman. I was wondering if you could tell us the order in which you would complete the books. As in would you do FIITJEE package first and then move on to a book (say DC pandey) or would you be doing them both simultaneously?

    Thanks

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well, doing both simultaneously seems good to me. Reason being that FIITJEE packages sometimes are very random. They might start with a hard problem and so, may be demotivating. That said, sometimes after applying 1 book, I used to feel that I have done enough. But then I used to ensure that I have solved FIITJEE package because I "knew" that they contain harder problems and so, I "must" solve them eventually

      Delete
  11. Hello Aman, Did u solved every questions from TMH and NEW PATTERN maths, as you hv written those in your quora answer......... and which book did you used to solve organic chemistry, because in LG WADE theory is great but the questions are not sufficient for jee advanced. and if OP Tandon is for beginners from where should i solve advanced problems in Inorganic Chemistry? Thanks

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. No, I never solved any book completely. Its pointless. Its pointless to solve the easiest problems when you are looking for tough problems (and vice versa). It is meaningless to solve ALL problems. Do you have so much of time?
      Organic: I mainly relied on coaching stuff. I tried RK Gupta, but didn't quite like it. I generally not recommend, but I myself used MS Chauhan. It is way beyond JEE level and I don't think its the right book to start off with. I guess you will have to make a call based on what you are aiming for. My chemistry teacher strictly told me to not use OP Tondon (organic) and so, I never read that book.
      Inorganic: OP Tondon is quite good. I would recommend starting with NCERT though.
      If you have time and you really want to learn, go for JD Lee. Its an excellent book.

      Delete
    2. This comment has been removed by the author.

      Delete
    3. I didnt understand your line "I guess you will have to make a call based on what you are aiming for." but as far i understood i say that i am aiming for under 50 rank (as because my aims are none other than your achievements). And one more question: Which books did you used separately for the easy, medium and for tough problems among those mentioned by you?

      Delete
  12. Hi aman, i am here in kota and enrolled in Allen. Like many i was dazzled by lustrous posters of successful students. But after coming here i realised like am standing nowhere. In a phase of 2400 am just having ranks about 550-600 in the recent tests. My self belief is trembling, i am working quite hard each day but still not getting the desired results. I have been following you closely since day 1 and i take you as an inspiration but seeing the condition here i am forced to believe that the top spot is reserved for those who are preparing here since class 6th (u find a lot of em here) and am demotivated too. So i would like u to guide me and give me some tips on how to get outta this condition and aim for cse at iit bombay just like ya. Thanking in anticipation.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Totally understand your situation.
      Your forced belief is wrong.
      Fact: Most of the people in my batch started JEE preparation in class 11th. For your information, when I say "people in my batch", I am referring to the top 50 JEE rankers ("IITB CSE"). I myself started preparation in 11th standard. in class 6th I was breaking heads of people and was being made to sit on the floor for that, forget JEE!
      The word JEE came in my dictionary in 2010, when my friend's brother got AIR 125. I was in 10th standard at that time and that was the first time I had heard of something called as JEE.

      Rather than creating "forced" beliefs and spending time on believing how incompetent you are, how about considering studying and solving those problems in the books? (Read bullet 3)

      Delete
  13. Well thanks for that info tho but i know u have started preparation from 11th. Your frnd's brother got a 125 AIR and it created a inspiring environment for u. U also got a rank of 23 once and u had a tough time fighting against ur ex school teachers, i guess i know much about u. Kinda fan following ya know lol. But thanks for responding,i didnt even think u would reply this soon. One thing more how should i prepare so that i come on par with the toppers of of my phase who are currently doing questions on rotation����������

    ReplyDelete
  14. Bhaiya, is KVPY important in class 11.
    And how should one prepare for it.
    Please reply

    ReplyDelete
  15. hello aman bhaiya! I am in class 11 and the teachers from which I take tutions are good in academics but not that much good for IIT preparation. I want to secure rank below 50. I cant join any coaching bcoz there is no coaching institute FOR IIT in my city. can I still achive my dream and IF YES how? I mean how should I plan my studies as I lack proper guidance. do help me plz. ALSO TELL ME HOW TO CLEAR KVPY?

    ReplyDelete
  16. hi! aman
    plz give me some preparation tips for iitjee.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The whole blog is about preparation tips for IITJEE brother, what more do you want?

      Delete
  17. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Hi Aman sir can you also write regarding JEE 2017?

    ReplyDelete
  19. Great Post.. A similar post for droppers who are going to give JEE in 2017 will be very helpful. Thank you

    ReplyDelete
  20. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Hi Aman. I started my JEE preparation almost 2 months ago but i did not work hard from day 1 and now i am struggling as i have different topics going on in school and tuition and i have
    loads of questions that i did not do from the books as well as the packages. I dont know how to manage it now as i have to do present topics as well. I am really confused and lack time management. Any help as to how to cope up and manage it all would be great

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. http://amangoeliitb.blogspot.com/2015/10/the-much-awaited-article-on-time.html

      Delete
  22. You once posted in your blog that you were initially weak at mechanics then also you qualified for INPHO please elaborate I have asked this question on quora also but got no reply

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Here you go: http://amangoeliitb.blogspot.com/2016/06/how-to-strengthen-mechanics-for-jee.html

      Thanks for the suggestion!

      Delete
  23. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Hello Aman.Hello from Pune. Your BLOG IS LEGENDARY!! HATS OFF!

    I've joined FIITJEE PINNACLE course. Teachers are really good.

    Ive always loved cs. I've also cracked MTA certs in my 9th grade. I have a STRONG DESIRE to pursue CS in a reputed iit (d/b/k,etc). I mean, I can sacrifice ANYTHING for this dream of mine come true. I've worked hard from start. Physics and Chemistry have been in control since start. However, maths seems to be a tough nut! It takes a LONG time to solve a problem in CPP/PKG. So, other subjects' studies remain behind. I was completely blank in maths in the recently conducted phase test. I have cengage books by g tewani. Pls tell me how can I improvise in Mathematics. Please, I'd owe you a lot!

    Waiting for your reply.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Would be great if you could tell me about the topics you are covering presently

      Delete
    2. PHY = Vectors, kinematics completed. LoM just going to be completed

      CHEM = Sime basic concepts, Atomic structure, Periodic props completed. Chem bonding to be started.

      MTH = Functions and relations (total) completed. Basic Calculus, Log completed. Trigonometry 2 be started

      So, phase 1 has been completed and phase 2 is about to rise

      Delete
    3. If you're facing trouble in elementary Calculus, I'd suggest you to try RD Sharma.
      For advanced Calculus, refer Amit M agarwal (arihant)

      Delete
    4. All right. And, how to approach maths, I mean, now bcoz I have crashed and burned in this phase test, I kinda have a scary feeling about it.

      Delete
    5. This comment has been removed by the author.

      Delete
  25. please upload an article for jee 2017 aspirants

    ReplyDelete
  26. Similar kind of post for JEE 2017 will be very helpful.

    ReplyDelete
  27. On an average, problems did you practice per day?

    ReplyDelete
  28. On an average, problems did you practice per day?

    ReplyDelete
  29. What are your thoughts about the book named 'educative mathematics for jee' by kd joshi (he was a professor at your college IIT-B) retired in 2013.

    ReplyDelete
  30. I currently studying in fiitjee gurgaon. I am facing difficulties in chemistry. what should I do

    ReplyDelete
  31. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Sir, Can you please suggest for those who are 2019 aspirants... This means that we are the beginners at this moment.. What should we approach after ncert books..? Please reply..

    ReplyDelete