I remember back in 2006, IIT JEE administration introduced a stringent rule which allows maximum two attempts for an aspirant to get into IIT JEE. The step was taken in order to curb the number of students who get into IIT by preparing again and again for 3, 4 or even 5 years. It was infusing not the actual talented persons in the premier institutes. But, those who practice the pattern for more than 2 years and then, show their excellence over junior by way of extra practice. It was always criticized that the pattern and syllabus of IIT JEE is not suitable to be covered within a span of 2 years. But, there are always a lot many students who used to get in IIT JEE in first attempt. Proper guidance, proper time management and dedication towards study is ultimate requirement other than primary requirement of a sharp mind to get in first attempt.

However, the step affected the coaching institution in a big way. As the number of aspirant taking part in the exam reduced drastically for 2007. A new concept came in the market. It was to be The Early Bird. Aim early, take time and then take the shot. It was to start preparing for IIT from 9th standard itself rather than 11th. The concept was not totally new. I remember in 1999 when I was in 9th standard Brilliant Tutorial had a Foundation Correspondence Course for IIT JEE. But, it was not a popular course. Once the director of my coaching class told me that he gets 1 or 2 student each year who comes to join the coaching class to prepare for IIT JEE, where more than 500 students used to enroll in a year. The idea was not so popular as why to put pressure before 10th, if you have enough time after 12th to clear IIT JEE.

Now, after 2006 the concept became popular, may be due to giving popularity by the coaching institute administrators or by the parents who wants their child to be an IITian, but likes to reduce pressure from them. Anyhow, here I’m going to discuss, whether correct time to start the preparation for IIT should start when the aspirant is in 9th standard only.

As far as the positive side is concerned, I see only one benefit, you get much more time to go through every portion of the syllabus. However, I would like to look through all the negative features too.

Self-level is Low

When you have just entered the 9th standard, your level is not adequate to grasp concepts of 11th standard. Even if you are one of the brightest student, it is not going to be easy to understand the concepts of 11th std, leave JEE Advanced standards. But, if you could finish at least 9th std syllabus till 8th. Then, you could think to cover 10th syllabus within months in 9th, say 4 months. Afterwards, study for a year for JEE Advanced. Then, once again start the preparation of 10th, 6 months prior to 10th board. The syllabus of 9th is based on 8th; 10th on 9th; 11th, 12th on 9th & 10th and finally of JEE Advanced on 11th & 12th. It is not a course of the meal which could be ate in any order or a could even be skipped.

First Big Hurdle of Life

Ask any student in school, their first dream in life is to appear and get good marks in 10th board. It is a very important step in life. Many students first time in their life compete with thousands of others in one go. A lot depends on its marks. Before 10th the competition always lies within the boundaries of the school. Those who are ambitious knows the level of their competitor within school. But, 10th board place you with unknown competitors in unknown quantity. Most of the student fear a lot from 10th board than 12th board or any other examinations ahead.

The nervousness for such an important exam is well known. Everything should be perfect and flawless. Hence, it is not easy to divert the concentration and mind from such an important goal.

Young Age

At the age of 13 or 14, a boy is at a very young age to foresee and plan their future. The fun of life will vanish from the life of young kids once they go through the tough preparation of JEE Advanced. They are not matured to take decisions or make strategies. A proper time table with perfect strategy is to be drawn before commencing such preparation.

A Good Counselor

You need a very good counselor who could guide and coach you personally. The steps to be taken needs professional touch with knowledge and understanding of each and every portion of both JEE and 10th.

My Suggestions

If you have decided that you are going to become engineer from a premier institute in India and you can sacrifice your time and can manage the stiff time table. I’m not going to stop you, as “Only Brave Wins the Race”. Success needs talent, aim, dedication, sacrifice, hard work and strategy. Luck could be a factor, but its role could be minimized. I’m going to give a plan of action in detail which would give you an edge over those who are going to start the preparation of JEE Advanced after 10th. I am assuming:

• You have just gone to 9th std.
• You are going to attend all the classes in your school.
• You have 2 years in hand before 10th board.
• Apart from school you are going to get 6-8 hours of time for self-study. Devote 1-2 to hours at max for school home work. Rest for this plan, min 5 hours.
• You will get 6 hours of sleep on weekdays and 8-9 on weekend.
• You are relying on self-study not on coaching or tuition.
• You are brave and ready to take the pressure. Also, you should be ready to sacrifice fun for study.

If you have any doubts about any of these ask me.

Step 1: Clear 9th and 10th Syllabus

This step is going to be of 5-6 months. In this step, you will cover the syllabus of 9th, then 10th both for Physics, Chemistry and Maths. As I have already said you can’t skip syllabus of any class and look ahead. You have to wrap up the syllabus as fast as you can. Remember, the syllabus would be completed in school too in a span of two years. So, you would get an edge their, which may help you perform better in term exams. Choose the same books which are followed in school. For numerical problems, you should solve each one of them carefully. For conceptual topics, don’t try to mug up concepts, but rather try to give answers to every questions asked at the end of the chapter.

If you could find a senior who could clear your doubts, it would be very good. Discuss the doubts once in every week, preferably on weekend. It would be very good if senior is in 11th or 12th preparing for JEE Advanced. During this step you have to know more and more about the pattern of JEE Advanced. A lot of students fail in clearing JEE Advanced as they spend time in wrong direction misguidedly. The more you know about it, the better it is going to be. You can also read more about JEE on internet.

If you have a group who are also preparing for JEE, discuss with them the topics and understandings. Min. 5 hours each day would be sufficient. If a term exam comes in between, take one week break before term exam and resume after the exam. Your objective here in this step is to cover the concept of 9th and 10th rather than passing 10th board based on it.

Step 2: Get Closer to JEE Level

You must be knowing that the level of JEE Advanced is higher than 12th level. You are not going to study till JEE level before 10th. It should be done after 10th. However, before passing 10th, I would like you to cover as much 11th and 12th syllabus as much as you can. The step should be stopped 6 months prior to your 10th board to give sufficient time for your board exam. You need books followed in 11th and 12th for Physics, Chemistry and Maths for this step. I would not suggest any book. Better to consult any of your senior for the purpose. But, it is important that the book should be for 11th and 12th rather than for JEE Advanced.

Approach for JEE is quite different from 10th. There are not going to be conceptual questions, like explain the extraction of H2SO4 with design of apparatus or What is a magnetic field. It would be all numerical based, except in Organic and Inorganic Chemistry (Chemistry has three parts after 11th; Physical, Organic and Inorganic; Google it to know more). All the questions would be solved based on some information given and concepts you know. Like

• 2H2 + O2 = ?,
• Ken is the star of the cross-country team. During a recent morning run, Ken averaged a speed of 5.8 m/s for 12.9 minutes. Ken then averaged a speed of 6.10 m/s for 7.1 minutes. Determine the total distance which Ken ran during his 20 minute jog.

One by one cover the books of 11th and 12th by solving all the problems. No need to solve JEE level problem at this stage. I think the time would be sufficient and you would be able to cover the syllabus of both 11th and 12th within 8-9 months. For the next 3-4 months, go for revision. Once you are reading books of 11th and 12th. Many a times you would feel the lessons at school to be boring and of low level. But, don’t bunk the school. It is going to be helpful to get acquainted with activity at school and to have some fun time.

After this step, you would be well-versed with syllabus of 11th and 12th. Also, you could join a good coaching for JEE Advanced right after appearing for 10th board. You will definitely understand the advance concepts very easily. 

Step 3: Getting ready for 10th Board

In around October, you should start giving full attention towards the approaching 10th board exam, which normally takes placein March. As you have already covered the syllabus till 12th, you would feel very comfortable with 10th syllabus. Make a good strategy and time table and give full concentration towards secondary examination. Forget about IIT, JEE and its syllabus for next 6 -7 months.

After giving your 10th board, you have both the option to go for a good coaching or do self study. If you are going for self study, start from Step 2 in the article How to prepare for IIT JEE?

I’m open for suggestions and discussions. If you like to share something it would be very nice. You can also share your experience with other aspirants. If you have a doubt better to share with everyone, than just me via a personalized email. As it might help others too. Have a nice day.

If you like the above article, I’m giving links for articles written on similar topic by me:

1. How Good Are The New IITs
2. Good College or Good Branch
3. JEE: Should I Take A Drop?
4. How to Prepare for JEE Mains After Appearing for 12th Board
5. Most Suitable Date for JEE (Main) Online Test
6. New Pattern: What is JEE?
7. IIT JEE: What should be Strategy for Partial Droppers?
8. How to Prepare for IIT JEE?
9. Kota: Paradise for IIT JEE Aspirants
10. Role of Coachings in IIT JEE selection
11. Hopes Beyond IIT
12. IIT JEE: What should be the strategy for repeaters?