For many students, the Joint Entrance Examination Main (JEE Main) held in January last year was a wake-up call for admission to technical undergraduate programmes. Despite months and years of preparation, some candidates did not quite meet their expectations. But instead of giving up, they used the experience as a valuable learning opportunity. With renewed determination and strategic planning, these students made a remarkable comeback in the April attempt of JEE Main.
The JEE Main January session was particularly challenging, as many students were busy preparing for their board exams. “I was in the midst of my CBSE board exam preparation, and it was tough to juggle both,” admits Aditya, who scored 85 percentile in the January session last year. However, his score improved and he got 97 percentile in April. “I didn’t get enough time to focus on JEE Main, and it showed in my results,” he says
Apoorva Awasthi, who scored approximately 50 percentile in January but improved to 88 percentile in April, echoes Aditya’s sentiments. “My state board exams were scheduled around the same time as JEE Main, and it was chaotic,” she recalls. “I felt like I was being pulled in two different directions, and I couldn’t give my best to either exam.”
However, with the board exams out of the way, these students were able to refocus their energy on JEE Main in the April attempt. They analysed their mistakes, identified areas for improvement, and worked on refining their strategies.
“I realised I was weak in physics, especially mechanics,” Aditya says. “I worked on my concepts, practised more problems, and joined a coaching center for additional guidance. It paid off, and I’m thrilled with my improved score.” She is now in a second-generation IIT doing her BTech in Computer Science Engineering.
For Indrajeet Chaudhury, the JEE Main 2024 January examination was a harsh reality check. He scored some 80 percentile National Testing Agency (NTA) score, but with focused revision and a new study technique, he scored over 98 percentile NTA score in April. “I analysed my mistakes and identified areas where I needed improvement,” he explains. “I made a study plan, prioritised my weaknesses, and used online resources to supplement my coaching. It was a lot of hard work, but it was worth it.”
Another candidate, Sumanta Pathak, scored low in January but achieved a decent percentile in April. Later, she cracked JEE Advanced to get a seat in an IIT. “I realised I was rushing through questions and making silly mistakes,” he says. “I practised time management, worked on my accuracy, and revised my notes multiple times. My tuition center also helped me with mock tests and personalised feedback.” Sumanta Pathak is now doing his BTEch from VIT, Vellore.
For some, they do better when taken a drop year.
Nineteen-year-old Khyati Singh took a year off to prepare for the IIT admission test.
“For JEE preparation, I initially relied on self-study with some support from local coaching. Despite my efforts, I fell short of my expectations on my first attempt. With my JEE rank on the first attempt, I was allotted Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology Allahabad (MNNIT or NIT Allahabad). Unsatisfied with the branch and the zeal to be in a better institute, I took a year drop and reappeared for JEE Main in January 2023 and Advanced in June. I decided to enroll in a coaching institute,” she said.
During her second attempt, she focused on the study material provided by the coaching institute and actively sought clarification for any doubts she faced. Additionally, she made it a point to participate in weekly practice tests to gauge her progress.
She is now doing BTech in Electrical Engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay).
Expert opinion
According to Sandeep Mehta, IIT Alumnus and co-founder of Vidyamandir Classes (VMC), students should not feel disheartened by their performance in the January session of JEE Main 2025. Instead, they should view it as an opportunity to identify and rectify their mistakes for a better outcome in the subsequent attempt.
The first step is self-analysis — reviewing answer sheets to pinpoint weak areas, whether they stem from conceptual misunderstandings, time mismanagement, or careless mistakes. Once weaknesses are diagnosed, the revision approach should be adjusted accordingly. If concepts are unclear, referring back to textbooks, seeking guidance from teachers, or utilising online resources can be beneficial. In mathematics and physics, solving more practice problems enhances application skills, while concise notes, flowcharts, and flashcards help with theoretical subjects.
Time management plays a crucial role in improvement. If poor time management impacted the January attempt, students should incorporate timed practice sessions into their study routine. Solving questions under a timer or taking full-length mock tests can build exam stamina and efficiency. Ensuring balanced attention to all subjects, including weaker ones, is key to overall improvement.
New study techniques can also boost performance. Methods like active recall, spaced repetition, and group discussions help reinforce learning. Teaching concepts to a peer or solving previous years’ papers under exam conditions can improve confidence and problem-solving speed.
Lastly, maintaining a positive mindset is essential. Fear of failure can be more detrimental than facing setbacks head-on. With a fine-tuned strategy, consistent practice, and a determined mindset, students can transform their shortcomings into strengths and significantly enhance their performance in upcoming exams.
As Aditya puts it, “The January exam was a setback, but it taught me to work smarter, not harder. I am grateful for the second chance.”
How students refined their preparation for JEE Main session 2 (representative image/ pexels) 
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