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Start with your strongest subject. This will give you an edge, advises rediffGURU Nayagam PP.
The National Testing Agency has released the admit cards for the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main 2025.
Students who qualify for JEE Main will be eligible for JEE Advanced, considered one of the toughest entrance examinations in India, for admission into some of the top engineering colleges in the country, including the 23 Indian Institutes of Technology; the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore; the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST), Thiruvananthapuram; the Indian Institute of Petroleum and Energy (IIPE), Visakhapatnam; the Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISERs); and the Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Petroleum Technology (RGIPT).
The JEE Main 2025 will be held January 22, 23, 24, 28 and 29 for paper 1 -- for admission into engineering courses (BE/BTech) -- and on January 30 for paper 2 -- for architecture and planning (BArch/BPlanning) courses.
rediffGURU Nayagam PP tells you how to optimise your preparation in the final hours ahead of the big day.
What to do before the JEE exam
1. Carry your admit card and other necessary documents. Check everything twice before leaving for the exam.
2. Eat a light, nutritious meal before the exam (avoid spicy/junk food).
3. Have positive conversations with family members.
4. Avoid pre-exam discussions with peers to prevent anxiety.
5. Stay hydrated but avoid excessive water consumption. If possible, visit the restroom a few minutes before taking the exam.
6. Avoid skipping meals. It is important to consume light, energy-rich food so you can focus better.
7. Do carry a small transparent water bottle (if your centre permits).
What to do in the exam hall
1. Read instructions carefully
Understand the marking scheme before starting the paper.
2. Stay positive
Start with your strongest subject. This will give you an edge.
3. Use rough sheets wisely
Keep your calculations organised to avoid chaos.
4. Avoid guessing
Don't risk negative marking with blind guesses.
5. Take micro-breaks
Do not strain too much. Remember to rest your eyes for 15 seconds every 40 minutes.
6. Reserve time for review
Plan your time wisely. Try to finish a few minutes early.
You must save at least 10 minutes to recheck your answers in the end.
3-round question attempting strategy
And finally...
By following these proven strategies and maintaining a calm, confident mindset, you can maximise your performance in JEE and other engineering entrance exams.
Always remember:
You've put in the hard work -- now it's time to succeed!
rediffGURU Nayagam PP is a certified career counsellor and the founder of EduJob360.
He started his career as an HR professional and has over 10 years of experience in tutoring and mentoring students from classes 8 to 12, helping them choose the right stream, course and college/university.
He also counsels students on how to prepare for entrance exams for getting admission into reputed universities/colleges for their graduate/postgraduate courses.
He has guided both fresh graduates and experienced professionals on how to write a resume, how to prepare for job interviews and how to negotiate their salary when joining a new job.
