The IIT-JEE (Indian Institute of Technology- Joint Entrance Examination) is one of India’s most challenging and difficult exams. Every year more than a million students take this exam with the dream of getting into one of the top engineering institutes of India- the IITs. This is the ultimate dream of almost all the students appearing for board examinations (students having PCM, as they are also JEE aspirants). But most of the students back off at the very last moment because of the various myths and misconceptions related to the IIT-JEE entrance exam. It is true that the IIT-JEE entrance exam is not a cup of tea for everyone, but if you are sincere enough and you have a good study plan with efficient time management then there is no need to be fearful about this exam. Just have confidence in your preparation and be honest with yourself then no one can stop you from getting yourself enrolled into your dream college.
These myths/misconceptions can lower a student’s motivation and negatively affect their performance. So it is crucial to debunk these myths/misconceptions for students to help them to begin their preparations without any confusion. And to make sure you don’t fall prey to these myths about IIT-JEE preparation, it’s important for you to be aware of some of the most common and biggest myths/misconceptions surrounding it. Let’s discuss some of the most common misconceptions about IIT-JEE preparation and will help you dispel them.
Some of the most common myths about IIT-JEE preparation are –
- Only students with a strong academic background can crack it:
This is one of the biggest and the most common misconceptions about this exam. Everyone thinks that only brilliant and extra-talented students with a superb academic background can crack this exam, especially class toppers who are pre-considered to be the future toppers of the JEE exam. Due to this myth, several average tough hardworking and meritorious students get nervous and make silly mistakes in the exam. But in reality, this is absolutely baseless, even average students can achieve top ranks. Passion, determination, and strategic planning matter more than past grades. Be it IIT-JEE or any other competitive exam even if you have been a topper throughout but you have not prepared for the exam well then you are bound to worry and you are going to face difficulties for sure. Every aspirant should plan systematically and they should utilize time properly. Once the preparations are done, solving of PYQs or mock papers can be a great help, be it for an average student or so-called topper students.
- NCERT books are of no use:
Most of the aspirants believe that NCERT is of no use for IIT-JEE preparation, but this is not true. Ask any ex-aspirant or faculty members, and they all will unanimously say that NCERT books are very helpful for building a strong base of concepts and theories. NCERT books, especially for subjects like Chemistry and Mathematics, are quite comprehensive. Stacking up more and more books will never help you in fetching more marks. They will only occupy more space and will end up leaving you more stressed and confused. So always remember that NCERT books can help you immensely in building your base for the IIT-JEE exam.
- You need to give up on your social life if you want to crack IIT-JEE:
During this journey, everyone will give you suggestions, be it your relatives, your neighbours, your cousins- each and everyone. The most common advice would be if you want to crack IIT-JEE then you must give up your social life. But this is a further misconception. Isolating yourself from everything will make your life dull, colourless and boring. Isolation will certainly lead you to some sort of mental illness such as depression etc. and this will affect your preparation negatively for sure. You all must have heard about the rising numbers of suicide cases in Kota, due you know what’s the most common reason behind these suicides, you would be surprised but the most common reason behind these suicides is some sort of mental illness which is most probably caused due to believing in this myth of giving up social life. You must therefore take breaks and engage in enjoyable activities to maintain your motivation for your preparation. So don’t restrict yourself from going out with your friends or watching your favourite Netflix series. To stay motivated, make sure to reward your mind with joyful things.
- Going to Kota is a must:
Everyone is aware that Kota is home to many famous and big coaching institutes. Many students and even parents are awestruck seeing the success rate of these coaching institutes. That’s why parents send their children to Kota from almost every part of India. But if you study deeply you will understand that apart from parental pressure another significant reason behind aspirants coming to Kota is Peer pressure, Many students don’t even know what to do in their lives or they don’t even have any interest in Physics, Chemistry or Maths, but they still opt for JEE preparation and join coaching institutes in Kota just because some of their classmates or friends are taking admission there. But the reality is year after year thousands of students are coming to Kota but only a handful of them are getting selected. No coaching institute or City can promise success, it’s your passion, dedication and hard work that help you to achieve your goal. So don’t run behind Kota, if your city or town has good Institutes then join them and in today’s time you also have the option of joining online coaching, so you can also opt for them. To surprise you all let me share one amazing fact, in the last few years equal number of aspirants from tier- 2/3 cities such as Sikar and other small towns have passed the IIT-JEE exams. The story of Sikar is astonishing, so if you are from the Sekhawati region then without even thinking twice take admission to Sikar. A few of the best Institutes of Sikar are Matrix IIT-JEE Academy, GCI and Kautilya Academy.
- 10-12 Hours of study is mandatory to crack IIT-JEE:
There is a strong misconception that students who study for long hours will clear the IIT-JEE. However this is absolutely wrong, as It’s not just about the quantity, but the quality of your study matters the most. Consistent, focused studying is more effective than marathon sessions of 10-12 Hours. It’s about understanding and applying concepts, not rote memorization. Studying the right material, at the right time and in the right environment is most important. Always make a routine and try to stick to it anyhow. Studying continuously can lead to burnout and it can exhaust your mind, and a tired brain cannot give a 100% output.
- There are shortcuts to IIT-JEE:
Many students fall for books titled “Crack JEE in 10 days or in a month” and other shortcuts. Always remember one thing there are no shortcuts in life and if you really want to see yourself in the Top IITs or NITs then start preparing for JEE with full compassion and dedication. Always study with full sincerity, practice hard and keep solving PYQs and mock papers to attain a balance in your preparation.
Conclusion
In conclusion, IIT-JEE preparation is undoubtedly challenging, but success comes down to understanding, consistent effort, and strategy. It is of utmost importance for students preparing for the IIT-JEE exam to be aware of the myths/misconceptions that surround it. By understanding that even an average student can crack the IIT-JEE exam, NCERT books are important for base building, you don’t need to give up on your social life to be a serious aspirant and that attending a coaching institute in Kota is not a must, a student can approach their preparation with a clear and focused mindset.
To effectively prepare for the IIT-JEE exam, develop a personalized study plan that works for you, and always try to stick to your routine. Always remember quality of study is more important than quantity, be relaxed and don’t take too much unnecessary pressure. By following these strategies and dispelling common myths/misconceptions students can increase their chance of selection.
