Kota (Rajasthan): Analysing mock papers, focussing on NCERT textbooks, and taking timely breaks helped them crack the JEE-Advanced exam, say Rajit Gupta and Sakshyam Jindal, number one and two on the merit list of the competitive exam that ranks among the toughest in the country.
Both Gupta and Jindal are from the same coaching centre in Kota.
In an interview with PTI, they shared their insights and strategies to crack the IIT entrance exam JEE-Advanced, the results of which were announced Monday morning.
"It is a moment of joy as this was achieved due to my hard work," said Gupta, the all-India topper.
Gupta, who is from coaching hub Kota, said he began his preparation when he was in Class 10.
"There was nothing special in my preparation. My key goal was to complete assigned tasks and solve modules on time," said Gupta, who scored the highest 322 out of 360 on the test.
He said he also solved selective questions from HC Verma and Irodov (books) but mainly focused on the NCERT textbook, he said.
His father Deepak Gupta, an engineer working in BSNL in Kota, said he had "piles of books" that went way above his head and "attempted a heap" of mock papers. He, too, once attended a coaching institute in the city.
Rashmi Gupta, his mother, is an assistant professor in home science at JDB College in Kota.
Gupta added, "I didn't adhere to a specific number of hours. It entirely depended on completing an entire topic. I generally devote most of the time to studying." He said he would take breaks when he got stuck on solving a question. "I would speak to my younger sister which would change my mood and would then go back to studying." He said he never allowed nervousness to overwhelm him.
Group study with friends and the mutual support they had for each other also helped his preparation, he said.
Sakshyam Jindal from Hisar in Haryana, who stood second in the Common Rank List (CRL), said he was based in Kota for the last two years to prepare for the entrance test.
Both Jindal and Gupta attended the Allen Career Institute for their preparations, with the latter attending the centre when he was in Class 6.
Jindal said there was never any issue of strategising for the exam as his teachers would give him a plan which he would just follow.
He said since he felt confident about Maths, he focussed more on Physics and Chemistry.
"Regular analysis of your mock test will improve your concept. It will help you overcome panic during the examination," he said.
When asked about his future goals, Jindal said, "Primarily, my goal is to join IIT Bombay." "At present, I don't have any plans regarding going abroad for better opportunities," he added.
Jindal said he has played under-14 state cricket for his district. Dancing and playing the piano are his hobbies, he said.
His parents Dr Umesh and Dr Anita Jindal are pathologists.
(Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by FPJ's editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)
