Identify weak areas early: JEE advanced achievers reveal the habits that made the difference

Behind every top rank in JEE Advanced lies a story of perseverance, self-discipline and continuous learning. While scores and ranks often make headlines, the journeys of students who crack one of India’s toughest entrance examinations offer valuable lessons for future aspirants. Among the top performers are Jai Somani (AIR 377), Savanth M (AIR 282), Akash A. (AIR 408), Sarjan B. S. (AIR 548), and Yogesh BS (AIR 933), who shared their experiences, challenges and key lessons from their JEE Advanced 2026 journey.

Finding confidence through consistency

For Jai Somani, clear signs that his preparation was on the right track emerged during Class 12. Consistent improvement in mock test scores and a stronger grasp of concepts reassured him that his efforts were paying off.

According to Jai, one of the most important changes in his preparation strategy was introducing regular revision and frequent practice tests into his routine. Rather than focusing solely on learning new concepts, he dedicated time to revisiting previously studied topics and assessing his progress through mock examinations.

“Regular revision and practice tests helped me identify weak areas, strengthen my concepts and improve my confidence,” he said. However, the journey was not without challenges. Jai initially struggled with Electricity in Physics, finding some concepts and problem-solving approaches difficult to master. He gradually overcame this hurdle through extensive practice and by solving a wide variety of questions that improved both his conceptual understanding and problem-solving speed.

On the morning of the JEE Advanced examination, Jai said he felt calm because he trusted the preparation he had put in over the years. Regular mock tests conducted under exam-like conditions had already prepared him to manage pressure effectively.

Looking back, he believes one mistake future aspirants should avoid is delaying mock tests.

“Students should start taking practice tests early. They help assess progress and identify gaps in understanding,” he said. Beyond academics, Jai believes the journey taught him discipline, consistency and the importance of giving his best effort to any goal he sets for himself.

Learning from every mistake

For Savanth M, who secured AIR 282, success came from shifting focus away from simply covering the syllabus and towards analysing mistakes. The breakthrough occurred when he noticed that he was making fewer errors in mock examinations and was able to solve questions that had previously seemed difficult.

A major part of his strategy was maintaining an error notebook where he documented mistakes made during tests and practice sessions. Reviewing this notebook regularly helped him avoid repeating the same errors and improved both accuracy and confidence. Physical Chemistry proved to be one of his toughest subjects because it required a combination of conceptual understanding and numerical problem-solving skills.

“I broke chapters into smaller concepts, revised formulas daily and practised a large number of questions,” he recalled.

On exam day, Savanth admitted to feeling nervous, but he managed the pressure by focusing on the process rather than the outcome. Whenever he encountered difficult questions, he moved ahead and returned to them later instead of allowing anxiety to affect his performance.

One lesson he hopes future aspirants learn is to avoid comparing themselves with others. “Every student has a different learning pace. Comparing performance creates unnecessary stress and can affect confidence,” he said. Beyond academics, Savanth believes the preparation journey taught him discipline, time management, resilience and the ability to stay committed to long-term goals despite setbacks.

The importance of revision

For Srajan B. S., who secured AIR 548, one of the most important realisations during preparation was that understanding a concept once is rarely enough. He said his performance improved significantly when he began revisiting topics regularly instead of assuming they would remain fresh in his memory.

“The biggest change was shifting to consistent revision and repeated practice,” he explained. Mathematics posed a significant challenge during his preparation. Retaining formulas and applying them to unfamiliar problem types often proved difficult. Through repeated practice and a more analytical approach to solving questions, he gradually developed greater confidence in the subject.

Like many aspirants, Srajan experienced periods of self-doubt and pressure. During difficult phases, support from family members and teachers played a crucial role in helping him stay motivated.

“I learned to talk to my family and teachers whenever I felt overwhelmed. Their reassurance helped me remain focused,” he said. Looking back, he believes underestimating the importance of revision was a mistake. “Future aspirants should make revision a continuous part of their preparation rather than postponing it,” he advised. Apart from academic gains, the experience helped him develop emotional resilience, patience and the ability to stay focused on long-term goals.

Turning weaknesses into strengths

For Akash A., who secured AIR 408, success was linked to learning how to analyse performance objectively.

He recalled a period when his mock test scores declined, creating uncertainty about his preparation. The turnaround came when he began carefully analysing his mistakes and working on weaknesses with the guidance of teachers. “The biggest change was focusing on improvement rather than just attempting more tests,” he said.

Chemistry was initially his weakest subject. By revisiting fundamental concepts, reviewing notes carefully and focusing on understanding rather than memorisation, he gradually improved. During the examination, Akash relied on a simple but effective strategy. He began by solving easier questions, which helped build confidence and maintain composure throughout the paper. Reflecting on his preparation, he believes students should address weaknesses early instead of postponing them.

“Identifying weak areas and working on them consistently makes a huge difference,” he noted. The journey, he said, taught him how to stay consistent, handle pressure and trust the process even when immediate results were not visible.

Staying focused on personal progress

For Yogesh BS, who secured AIR 933, the turning point in his preparation came when his mock test scores became more consistent and the number of careless mistakes began to reduce.

Rather than simply solving more questions, Yogesh started spending more time analysing his test performance and identifying areas that required improvement. “The biggest change was focusing on analysing tests and correcting mistakes instead of just increasing the number of questions I solved,” he said.

Organic Chemistry was initially one of his biggest challenges. The large number of reactions and concepts made the subject difficult to retain. Over time, he improved by focusing on understanding reaction mechanisms rather than memorising them. “I made short notes, revised them regularly and focused on understanding the logic behind reactions,” he explained.

On the morning of the JEE Advanced examination, Yogesh admitted that he felt nervous, but remained focused on the task ahead. During the paper, he concentrated on solving questions he was confident about and avoided getting distracted by difficult problems. Reflecting on his preparation journey, Yogesh believes that comparing himself with others was a mistake.

“I spent too much time worrying about how others were performing. Looking back, I should have focused more on my own progress and weaknesses,” he said. Beyond the examination result, Yogesh says the experience helped him develop discipline, consistency, time management and the ability to perform under pressure. “These are skills that will help me not only during my time at IIT but throughout my career and life,” he added.

Although their preparation strategies differed, the experiences of Jai Somani, Savanth M, Srajan B. S., Akash A. and Yogesh BS reveal several common themes. Each student highlighted the importance of consistency, regular revision, mock tests, self-analysis and resilience.