As the JEE Main 2021 is right around the corner [23rd to 26th February 2021), candidates have started putting in double the efforts to make their preparation more effective. To make the JEE Main preparation organized and productive, candidates must be focused and well aware of what they need to study and the right order of using the study materials. Since the JEE Main exam is one of the most prominent exams in India, the level of competition is quite high when compared to other Government exams.
To attain success in this exam, one requires preplanning, smart strategy, and perseverance.
Every year, lakhs of candidates apply for the JEE Main selection test and aspire to pursue B.Tech, B.Arch, or B.Planning from coveted institutes like NITs, IIIT’s and CFTIs. So, acting as a helping guide, Team Buddy4Study has created JEE Main preparation strategy for candidates with effective last-minute tips to forgo exam jitters and ace the JEE Main exam 2021.
JEE Main Exam Pattern
Before moving onto the last-minute JEE Main preparation tips and strategies, you need to have a clear idea about the exam pattern. With the help of the exam pattern, one can create an effective study and revision table and achieve a good score.
Exam Pattern for JEE Main 2021
| Number of questions
(Asked) |
90
(30 questions from each subject) 20 MCQs and 10 Numerical value answer based questions |
82
(Mathematics- 30
Aptitude- 50 Drawing- 2) |
105
(Mathematics- 30 Aptitude- 50 Planning Based-25) |
| Number of questions
(To be Answered) |
75
(25 questions from each subject) |
77
(Mathematics- 25 Aptitude- 50 Drawing- 2) |
100
(Mathematics- 25 Aptitude- 50 Planning Based-25) |
| Type of Questions | 60
(MCQs having 4 options each with 1 correct option) + 30 (Questions for which answer is a Numerical Value, 5 from each section – 15 in total from this section) |
Maths- 20 (MCQs) + 10 (Questions for which answer is a Numerical Value, 5 needs to be done) +
Aptitude- 50 MCQ + Drawing- 2 Questions |
Maths- 20 (MCQs) + 10 (Questions for which answer is a Numerical Value, 5 needs to be done) +
Aptitude- 50 MCQs + Planning Based Objective Type- 25 MCQs |
JEE Main Preparation 2021 – Key Highlights
| Particulars | Paper 1 | Paper 2 |
| Exam mode | Online | Online (Mathematics and Aptitude) and offline (Drawing test) |
| Number of sections | Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics | Drawing, Mathematics, and Aptitude |
| Duration of exam | 3 hours (180 minutes); 60 minutes per section | 3 hours (180 minutes); 60 minutes per section |
| Number of questions | 75 | 82 questions |
| Type of questions | MCQs | Mathematics and Aptitude: MCQ
Drawing: Questions to test drawing and sketching skills |
| Total Marks | 300 marks | 400 marks |
| Language of paper | Assamese, Bengali, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu in addition to Hindi, English, and Gujarati | Assamese, Bengali, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu in addition to Hindi, English, and Gujarati |
| JEE Main Marking scheme | +4 marks for the correct answer; -1 mark for the incorrect answer | +4 marks for the correct answer; -1 mark for an incorrect answer |
JEE Main Preparation 2021 – Strategies and Tips
Since only a week is left before the upcoming JEE Main examination, Team Buddy4Study advises you not to start reading any new topics. Being the final month, the only aspect that you should be concentrating on is REVISION.
#1 – Revise and Stick to your Strengths
Practicing new and miscellaneous problems is the last thing you would want to do when the JEE Main is knocking at the door! The best possible thing any candidate can do is ‘revise’ the topics which he/she has already covered.
It is crucial to make the most of what you have prepared so far. Practicing “out of the box” problems just before the exam would inevitably disturb your preparation. Candidates must stick to the basics and revise the important topics, formulas, and theories of the essential topics.
Remember: You must revise and analyze where you are lacking, but at the same time make sure to not waste time being stuck on one topic. The time is less and you must make the most of the remaining time!
#2 – Solve Previous Year Question Papers & Mock Tests
This is the best “reality check” that candidates can give to themselves. Solving previous year’s question papers would help you evaluate your JEE Main preparation. This is the best way to judge your strengths and weaknesses.
As the exam format for the JEE Main has changed from 2021, candidates must try and solve relevant practice mock tests. Try and solve as many questions as you can without looking at the clock (initially), and then gradually enhance your speed of solving the questions and you will be ready for the exam! This is one of the ideal JEE Main last week’s preparation tips.
Remember: This practice would not only increase your efficiency but it would work wonders as far as your accuracy is concerned.
NTA JEE Main Question Papers 2020 (Official) – B.E. / B.Tech (September Session)
| Dates | Shift 1 | Shift 2 |
| 2nd September | Download | Download |
| 3rd September | Download | Download |
| 4th September | Download | Download |
| 5th September | Download | Download |
| 6th September | Download | Download |
NTA JEE Main Question Papers 2020 (Official) (September Session)
| JEE Main Paper | Date and Shift | Download Link |
| Paper 1 | 7th Jan 2020 – Shift 2 | Download |
| 8th Jan 2020 – Shift 1 | Download | |
| 8th Jan 2020 – Shift 2 | Download | |
| 9th Jan 2020 – Shift 1 | Download | |
| 9th Jan 2020 – Shift 2 | Download | |
| Paper 2 | 6th Jan 2020 – Shift 1 | Download |
| 6th Jan 2020 – Shift 2 | Download | |
| Paper 3 | 6th Jan 2020 – Shift 1 | Download |
| 6th Jan 2020 – Shift 2 | Download |
#3 – Plan and Execute
Cracking entrance exams is not everyone’s cup of tea! You must prepare a plan to approach the exam, otherwise, you may end up in a hopeless situation. Make sure that you prepare a plan which includes considerations like:
- Which section of the JEE Main exam to attempt first?
- Which section of the exam is difficult?
- Which section of the exam is time-consuming?
- Which section would yield more marks?
Try and solve the practice papers accordingly and you would be able to know how good your preparation is. Also, you must analyze your weakness and give at least half an hour extra (in a day) to these particular topics.
Don’t panic if you are getting stuck in some topics and just make sure that you’re making up for your weaknesses in whatever you have practiced till now. Candidates must back their instincts and believe in their potential. Remember: You will only make things worse if you are emphasizing more on the less covered topics than the ones you have covered to the depth.
#4 – Don’t Get Bogged Down
This is psychologically the most crucial factor which often creates a difference between a good performance and an average performance. Don’t get bogged down by the burden of expectations or the burden of competition, just trust the hard work you have put in and you would certainly extract the best out of yourself.
Remember: A candidate can now give the JEE Main exam 12 times for three consecutive years. Within a year, a candidate can appear for JEE Main 4 times, i.e., in February, March, April, and May. So there’s always a next time!
JEE Main Preparation – Important Books
Candidates need to prepare well from the topics highlighted as per the JEE Main syllabus to score well in the upcoming entrance test. To get a better grip on various JEE Main subjects and enhance your JEE Main preparation, candidates can find several expert-recommended books and online study resources in the tables below.
Paper 1
Best Books for JEE Main 2021 – Physics
| Books Name | Author |
| Advance physics | Nelkon and Parker |
| Aptitude test problem in physics | Krotov |
| Fundamentals of Physics | Halliday, Resnick & Walker |
| Dynamics of a Particle & of Rigid Bodies | S.L. Loney |
| Physics Volume 1 & 2 | Tipler |
| University Physics | Freedman and Young |
| Problems in Physics | A. A. Pinsky |
| Mechanics Part-1 & 2 | DC Pandey |
| Problems in General Physics | I. E. Irodov |
| Problems in Physics | V. Zubov & V. Shalnov |
| Concepts of Physics Volume I and II | H. C. Verma |
| Feynman Lectures on physics | R. P. Feynman |
| A collection of questions and problems in physics | L. A. Sena |
| Element of Dynamics part I & II | S. L. Loney |
Best Books for JEE Main 2021 –Chemistry
Books for Organic Chemistry
| Books Name | Author |
| Organic Chemistry | O. P. Tandon |
| Concept of Organic Chemistry | M. S. Chauhan |
| Organic Chemistry volume 1 | I. L. Finar |
| Organic Chemistry | Arihant Prakashan |
| A Guidebook to Mechanism in Organic Chemistry | Peter Sykes |
Books for Physical Chemistry
| Books Name | Author |
| IIT JEE Chemistry | O. P. Agarwal |
| Numerical Chemistry | P. Bahadur |
| General Chemistry | Ebbing |
| Physical Chemistry | O. P. Tandon |
| University Chemistry | Bruce Mahan |
| Modern Approach to Chemical Calculations | RC Mukherjee |
| Physical Chemistry (For Reading Theory) | P. Bahadur |
| Physical Chemistry | P.W.Atkins |
Books for Inorganic Chemistry
| Books Name | Author |
| Concise Inorganic Chemistry | J. D. Lee |
| Inorganic Chemistry | Arihant Prakashan |
| Textbook of Inorganic Chemistry for Competitions (JEE Main & Advanced) | OP Tondon |
Best Books for JEE Main 2021 – Mathematics
| Books Name | Author |
| Mathematics for Class 11 & Class 12 | R. D. Sharma |
| Algebra | Arihant |
| Maths for Class 11 & Class 12 | R. S. Agarwal |
| Vector | Shanti Nayaran |
| IIT Mathematics | M. L. Khanna |
| Trigonometry | S. L. Loney |
| Problems in Calculus of One Variable | I. A. Maron |
| Geometry | Dr. Gorakh Prasad |
| Differential Calculus | Arihant |
| Integral Calculus | Arihant |
| Introduction Probability & Its Application | W. Feller |
| Higher Algebra | Barnard and Child |
| A problem book in mathematical Analysis | G. N. Berman |
| Higher Algebra 4th Edition | Hall and Knight |
| Course in Mathematics for IIT-JEE | TMH Publication |
| Calculus and Analytic Geometry | Thomas and Finney |
#5 – Take a Break
Managing time and preparing for the JEE Main 2021 exam tends to make both the mind and body tired. If you take a look at the JEE Main preparation tips by candidates who cracked the exam successfully and got recruited in reputed Indian banks, taking small breaks in between the study time is a common piece of advice.
Relaxing and taking breaks not only interrupts the monotony of studying non-stop but also refreshes the mind. This much-needed relief can assist you to study with more vigor and concentration.
Exercising is also a good way to de-stress your mind and body. It is a proven fact that Yoga and meditation calm the mind and increase the power of focusing and retaining information. So, take a walk, eat something healthy and fresh, and meditate before sitting for the next round of JEE Main preparation with more enthusiasm.
JEE Main Preparation – Basic Topics to Revise 7 Days before the Exam Day
There are some basic topics in Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry that can be easily covered and revised by the candidates without any hassles. It is advised that you should give at least 2 hours to each subject while emphasizing these (comparatively) easier topics, one week before the JEE Main 2021 exam. These are:
Mathematics
| Sequence & Series | Statistics |
| Quadratic Equations | Mathematical Reasoning |
| Vectors & 3D | Height and Distance |
Physics
| Elasticity | Surface Tensions and Viscosity |
| Thermal Expansion | Units and Dimensions |
| Gravitation | Heat Transfer |
| Semiconductors | Instruments (Vernier caliper, Screw gauge) |
Chemistry
| Atomic Structure | States of Matter |
| Periodic Table | p block & s block |
| Mole concept | Formulas (Carboxylic Acids, phenol, Ether, Alcohol) |
Remember– In the past few years, questions from these topics have constantly appeared in the JEE Main. Thus, it is crucial to revise these topics firmly at least a week before the JEE Main.
JEE Main Preparation 2021 – Effective Last-Minute Tips
Solving the previous year’s JEE Main question papers is undoubtedly a tough nut to crack. While time management tips to prepare for JEE Main 2021 help in planning the study routine, execution requires extra effort. Buddy4Study advises you to consider these aspects to execute your JEE Main preparation plan.
- Do not stray from the time allotted for one subject. The JEE Main preparation routine should be followed diligently. Revisions should never be missed.
- Topics should be studied from easy to difficult level.
- You should remember the theories mostly asked in the Quantitative Aptitude section.
- Devote quality time on preparing the different sections of JEE Main syllabus.
- Don’t get stuck to only one subject. Your self-created timetable should have variations to prevent you from having a mental block.
- Instead of reading something new, it is best to revise as per the JEE Main syllabus.
- Instead of practicing orally, the written format should be opted during JEE Main preparation.
- Designate a time to solve each question and gradually practice reducing the set time.
- If stuck on a particular problem, divert your mind by studying some other topics or revising previously read topics, and then come back to solve the problem
JEE Main Preparation – Strategy to attempt JEE Main
Following are some of the points which would help you to attempt the JEE Main 2021 exam strategically:
- Time management for the JEE Main – The exam duration of JEE Main Paper 1 is 3 hours (180 minutes). During the exam, you can divide your time in the following manner: Chemistry – 40 minutes, Mathematics – 60 minutes, and Physics – 50 minutes. You may use the remaining 30 minutes for going through the answer sheet and make changes if required.
- As per the experts, Chemistry is a comparatively easier section. Hence, try and secure as many marks as you can in this section. This section should not take more than 45 minutes to complete.
- Try and attempt the easier sections/questions first.
- Do not get stuck in complex questions from the mathematics and physics section; if you are not able to solve them, proceed with the next one.
- Try to manage the time for the newly introduced “Numerical answer-based questions”. Objective-type questions should be done in comparatively less time.
- Do not attempt the question paper recklessly. It will hamper your chances of qualifying.
JEE Main last week preparation tips – FAQs
How can I prepare for JEE Main 7 days before the exam?
The best JEE Main last week preparation tips include ‘revising the JEE Main topics that you have covered without trying to indulge in new and miscellaneous topics’. Also, solve previous years’ question papers and mock tests.
What should I do two weeks before the JEE Main?
Two weeks before the JEE Main exam date, you must revise the important formulas and topics without creating any stress or panic. Just back your instincts and think positive rather than worrying about the consequences.
How to relax myself just a week before the JEE Main?
You must eat healthy, listen to calming music and sleep for at least 7-8 hours daily. Make sure that you do not panic. You may go for a brisk walk in short intervals or do some inhaling-exhaling exercises as well. This would not only keep you calm and composed but would also ensure a good mental state before the JEE Main exam day.
What books are best to study before 1 week from JEE Main?
You must revise important topics and formulas only from NCERT. If you study from many books just a week before the exam, it will perplex you. Thus, stick to the basics and trust your preparations.
Should I go to the coaching center 2 days before the JEE Main?
No. You should just do a basic revision at home and take appropriate rest. Messing up things just a couple of days before the JEE Main exam would not be a good idea.
