HOW TO

PREPARE FOR
JEE MAIN
 HOW TO PREPARE FOR JEE MAIN

CONTENTS
Foreword03
Introduction to JEE Main 04
Top 10 Preparation Tips 05
Exam Pattern 06
Syllabus07
Analysis08
Important Topics for JEE Main 09
Important Books for JEE Main 10

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 HOW TO PREPARE FOR JEE MAIN

FOREWORD
JEE Main, the most prominent entrance examination for engineering aspirants
receive around 11 lakh applicants every year. JEE Main opens the gateway to the
best engineering institutes like NITs, IIITs and GFTIs and is also the qualifying
step towards admissions to the IITs. Being one of the most competitive school
level examination, candidates are bound to stress over the vast syllabus. Thus, to
answer the dominant question of ‘How to prepare for JEE Main?” is answered by
this E-Book. The E-Book is designed to guide the future JEE Main candidates by
stating simple tips and tricks along with important topics and books one must read
in order to crack the examination.

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 HOW TO PREPARE FOR JEE MAIN

INTRODUCTION TO JEE MAIN

JEE (Joint Entrance Exam) Main examination is conducted twice a year by the National
Testing Agency (NTA) to provide B. Tech admissions into the NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs.
Candidates who qualify as the top 2 lakh JEE Main rankers will be able to attempt JEE
Advanced examination which offers admissions into IITs. Hence, it is a much sought-after
examination for those students who aspire to pursue engineering. The examination will be
conducted online for a duration of 3 hours. Each section (Physics, Chemistry and Math-
ematics) will consist of 30 multiple choice questions. Each correct answer carries 4 marks
while each incorrect answer deducts one mark, no marks will be given for no response. The
paper will carry 360 marks in total. Medium of exam can be chosen from English, Hindi or
Gujarati (only for candidates from Gujarat, Daman & Diu and Dadra and Nagar Haveli).

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 HOW TO PREPARE FOR JEE MAIN

TOP 10 PREPARATION TIPS

●● Know the Syllabus: Before starting the preparation, one must be well aware of the JEE Main syllabus.
This will enable one to know which units and topics are to be studied under each subject i.e., Physics,
Chemistry and Mathematics. According to the syllabus released by the authorities, a practical schedule
can be framed.
●● Make a Time Table: After going through the JEE Main syllabus, create a practical timetable which must
be followed diligently while leaving enough time to prepare for JEE Main within the days left. Specific
number of hours must be given to each subject so that one does not feel bored and restless. Moreover,
short breaks for hobbies must be incorporated in the time table.
●● Strengthen your Basics: Candidates are advised to focus on the basic concepts and fortify them so that
in worst case scenarios, one will be able to answer by going back to basics. Knowing the basic concepts
of the units involved in the JEE Main examination will result in a greater knowledge and also aid in
understanding complex topics.
●● Work on your Weakness: Candidates might come across certain topics that do not seem to make sense in
the first go. Fret not because giving more time and focus will definitely help in understanding such topics
thoroughly. Read, repeat, write and remember.
●● Make notes and flash cards: Most JEE Main Toppers have sworn that making notes helps in better
memorization. Short notes or flash cards help in recalling entire topics which makes learning and last
day revision efficient.
●● Evaluate your Progress: Attempting mock tests and solving sample papers is undoubtedly the most
popular strategy to prepare for any examination. Setting exam-like conditions will greatly help not only
in refreshing learnt concepts but also in time management. Assessing one’s state of preparation using
previous years’ question papers will allow one to identify his/her weaknesses and subsequently work
harder on them.
●● Revise: It is suggested that each day, a certain amount of time should be spared for revision. A syllabus as
vast as JEE Main cannot be learnt and remembered in one go. Revision of concepts studied earlier is a
must to keep them fresh in memory. Read, repeat and remember- there is no shortcut to that!
●● Take Breaks: Short breaks are as important as studying and revising to retain the learnt topics. Indulging
in outdoor physical activity is highly recommended to rejuvenate one’s mind after hectic hours of study-
ing. Moreover, healthy snacking while studying will help boost the memory. Do not overwork yourself and
lose out on your sleep. Good health is of utmost importance while preparing for an important examina-
tion.
●● Refer to important books: Usually, NCERT books are considered the best for JEE Main preparation for
building basic concepts. However, other reference books available in the market will certainly enhance
one’s preparation process.
●● Stay Focused: All these tips will not work on a negative mindset. Failure to show dedication towards prep-
aration will not lead to good results. One must develop limitless zeal throughout the preparation period
to achieve a good rank. DO NOT compare yourself with others and feel discouraged. Believe in yourself!

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 HOW TO PREPARE FOR JEE MAIN

EXAM PATTERN
Mode of Examination Computer based (Online)
Duration 3 hours

Subjects Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics

Total Number of questions 90 (30 from each subject/ section)

Type of questions Objective (MCQ)

Marking scheme 4 marks for correct response

-1 mark for incorrect response
0 markfor no response

Total marks 360

Language / Medium of question paper English

Hindi
Gujarati (only for candidates from Gujarat, Daman & Diu and
Dadra and Nagar Haveli who can opt for Gujarati)

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 HOW TO PREPARE FOR JEE MAIN

SYLLABUS
Physics Chemistry Mathematics
●● Physics and measurement ●● Physical Chemistry ●● Sets, relations and functions
●● Kinematics ●● Some basic concepts in chemistry ●● Complex numbers and quadratic
●● Thermodynamics ●● States of matter equations
●● Work, energy and power ●● Atomic structure ●● Matrices and determinants
●● Rotational motion ●● Chemical bonding and molecular
 ●● Mathematical reasoning
●● Gravitation structure ●● Mathematical induction
●● Laws of motion ●● Chemical thermodynamics ●● Permutations and combinations
●● Properties of solids and liquids ●● Solutions ●● Sequences and series
●● Electronic devices ●● Equilibrium ●● Law, continuity and differenti-

●● Kinetic theory of gases ●● Redox reactions and electrochemistry ability
●● Oscillations and waves ●● Chemical kinetics ●● Integral calculus
●● Communication systems ●● Surface chemistry ●● Differential equations
●● Current electricity ●● Organic Chemistry ●● Binomial theorem and its simple
●● Magnetic effects of current and mag- ●● Purification and characterization of applications
netism organic compounds ●● Three-dimensional geometry
●● Electromagnetic induction and alter- ●● Hydrocarbons ●● Vector algebra
nating currents ●● Chemistry in everyday life ●● Co-ordinate geometry
●● Electromagnetic waves ●● Principles related to practical chem- ●● Statistics and probability
●● Optics istry ●● Trigonometry
●● Dual nature of matter and radiation ●● Organic compounds containing halo-
●● Electrostatics gens
●● Atoms and nuclei ●● Organic compounds containing oxy-
gen
●● Organic compounds containing nitro-
gen
●● Polymers
●● Some basic principles of organic

chemistry
●● Biomolecules
●● Inorganic Chemistry
●● Classification of elements and perio-
dicity in properties
●● Hydrogen
●● Block elements (alkali and alkaline
earth metals)
●● Block elements group 13 to group 18
elements
●● D - and f - block elements
●● Co-ordination compounds
●● Environmental chemistry
●● General principles and processes of
isolation of metals

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 HOW TO PREPARE FOR JEE MAIN

ANALYSIS
Experts and students who appeared in JEE Main claim that the JEE Main question papers
of the last three years were similar in terms of difficulty level and paper pattern. The previous
year’s paper has been cracked section wise below:

●● Physics: Physics was regarded to be the most difficult section with most of the questions being
theory and calculation based. The section was not too lengthy. Out of the total, 17 questions were
from class 12 syllabus and 13 from class 11 syllabus.
●● Chemistry: The difficulty level was mediocre and questions were a mixture of calculation and
theory based. This section consisted of 14 questions from class 12 syllabus and 16 from class 11.
●● Mathematics: This section was viewed as the easiest out of the three with the majority of questions
being calculation based. In this section, 10 questions were from class 12 syllabus and 20 from class
11.

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 HOW TO PREPARE FOR JEE MAIN

IMPORTANT TOPICS
Candidates are advised to learn the whole syllabus prescribed for JEE Main. However, cer-
tain topics need extra focus and revision as these topics have been covered frequently in the
past few years’ question papers. The topics are as follows:

PHYSICS
●● Magnetics- Usually, maximum questions are asked from this topic.
●● Modern Physics- Most scoring topic for both JEE Main and JEE Advanced. Sub-topics such as
radioactive decay of substances, nuclear fission and fusion, dual nature of matter and X-rays should
be studied in detail.
●● Optics- Questions from this topic are relatively easy.
●● Oscillation and Waves- Must be studied in detail.
●● Electromagnetic Induction and AC- Numerical questions are important.
●● Current Electricity- Ohm’s law, colour code for resistors etc. are common sub topics which are
asked in the question paper.
●● Electrostatics- According to the previous years’ statistics, this is the most scoring topic as almost
four questions are asked from it every year.

CHEMISTRY
●● Organic Chemistry-Purification and Characterization of Organic Compounds, Basic Principles
of Organic Chemistry, Organic Compounds Containing Oxygen, Organic Compounds Containing
Nitrogen, Hydrocarbons, Bio Molecules, etc.
●● Inorganic Chemistry- Environmental Chemistry, Classification of Elements and Periodicity in
Properties, General Principles and Process of Isolation of Metals, Hydrogen, s-Block Elements
(Alkali and Alkaline Earth Metals), Co-ordination Compounds.
●● Physical Chemistry- Basic concepts in Chemistry, States of Matter, Atomic Structure, Chemical
Bonding and Molecular Structure, Equilibrium, Chemical Thermodynamics, Surface Chemistry,
Chemical Kinetics, Redox Reactions, Electrochemistry.

MATHEMATICS ●● Vector & 3D Geometry

●● Probability ●● Coordinate Geometry; Matrices in Algebra:
●● Permutations & Combinations Circle, Parabola, Hyperbola in Coordinate
●● Definite Integration Geometry
●● Quadratic Equation ●● Functions, limits, Continuity & Differentiabil-
●● Differential Equation ity
●● Determinants ●● Sequences engineers
●● Conic Section ●● Complex Numbers
●● Application of Derivatives ●● Calculus; Definite Integral in Calculus

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 HOW TO PREPARE FOR JEE MAIN

IMPORTANT BOOKS
Although the NCERT books help with the basic understanding of the topics, some other
books suggested by previous JEE Main toppers have been specified below to help enrich
one’s preparation:

Subjects Books

●● Concepts of Physics by H C Verma

●● Elements of Dynamics by S.L. Loney
●● Problems in General Physics by I.E. Irodov
Physics ●● University Physics by Sears and Zemansky
●● Arihant Physics by D. C. Pandey
●● Advanced level Physics by Nelson and Parker
●● Fundamentals of Physics by Resnick, Halliday, Walker

●● For Organic Chemistry- Organic Chemistry by Paula Bruice Yurkanis,

O.P. Tandon Organic Chemistry and Organic Chemistry by M.S. Chauhan
Chemistry
●● Modern Approach to Chemical Calculations by R.C. Mukherjee
●● For Physical Chemistry-Atkins' and N Awasthi’s Physical Chemistry
●● For Inorganic Chemistry- Book by J.D Lee and O.P. Tandon

●● Trigonometry; 103 Trigonometry Problems by Titu Andreescu & Zuming

Feng by S.L. Loney, Titu Andreescu & Zuming Feng
●● Co-ordinate Geometry by S.L. Loney
●● Higher Algebra by Hall Knight and Bernard-child
●● Differential Calculus by Arihant
Mathematics ●● Algebra by Arihant
●● New Pattern Mathematics for JEE Main/Advanced by Arihant Publica-
tions
●● Integral Calculus by Arihant
●● Complete Mathematics for JEE Main by Tata McGrawHill (TMH)
●● Problems in Calculus of One Variable Algebra by I.A. Maron
●● Previous year-IIT-JEE- question bank

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