Aim to attempt both phases

Ramesh Batlish

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The JEE Main 2020 will be conducted by The National Testing Agency (NTA) for admission to UG programmes in NITs, IIITs and other Centrally-Funded Technical Institutions (CFTIs), etc. in the next academic year (2020-2021). The test will be conducted in two phases — the first phase for admissions to BE/ BTech(Paper-1) & BArch/ BPlanning (Paper-2) from January 6 to 11, 2020 and the second phase for admissions to BE/ BTech (Paper-1) & BArch/ BPlanning (Paper-2) between April 3 to 9, 2020. Students have the option to appear in one or both phases. 

The result will, however, consider the students’ performance in the best of the two phases. 

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has recently announced changes in the JEE Main 2020 exam pattern in a new notification (dated September 3, 2020). The exam pattern for JEE Main 2020 shows reduction in the number of questions and introduction of numerical questions. The number of JEE Main exam centres have been also decreased from 264 to 233.

The candidates aspiring to take admission to the undergraduate programmes at IITs for the year 2020 will also have to appear in BE/BTech Paper of JEE (Main)-2020. Based on the performance in the BE/BTech of JEE (Main)-2020, number of top candidates as per the requirement for JEE (Advanced) 2020 will be eligible to appear in JEE (Advanced)- 2020. 

Admission to IITs will be based on category-wise All India Rank (AIR) in JEE(Advanced), subject to the conditions as would be mentioned in JEE(Advanced)-2020 Website. 

The question paper will be available in English, Hindi and Gujarati. 

Paper 1 will be conducted in two sessions per day and the candidates will be allotted slots randomly. 

For appearing in the JEE (Main) examination there is no age limit for the candidates. The candidates, who have passed Class XII/equivalent examination in 2018, 2019 or appearing in 2020, irrespective of their age can appear in JEE (Main) examination - 2020.

New pattern

The JEE Main Paper-1 (for BE/BTech) & Paper-2 (for BArch/BPlanning) examinations will be held in computer based test (CBT) mode only, except that the Drawing Test for BArch. will be held in ‘Pen & Paper’ (offline) mode. 

A candidate may appear in BE/BTech, BArch and BPlanning depending upon the course/s he/she wishes to pursue. According to the JEE Main 2020 exam pattern, Paper 1 will comprise multiple choice questions and numerical questions, whereas Paper 2 is now separate for BArch and BPlan aspirants. 

Paper-1 ( for BE/BTech aspirants):

Paper 1 for BE/BTech aspirants will comprise three sections — mathematics, physics & chemistry with 25 questions in each part. In each part there will be 20 multiple choice questions (MCQs) with one correct option and 5 questions with answer as numerical value. 

The marking scheme for MCQs will be +4 for the correct answer, -1 for incorrect answers and 0 for an unattempted question while that for numerical value questions will be +4 for a correct answer and 0 if incorrect or unattempted. 

The total marks for this paper will be 300. 

The duration of the paper will be 3 hrs with total 75 questions, including all three subjects. This paper will be conducted in Computer Based Test (CBT) mode only.

Paper-2 (For BArch aspirants):

Students aspiring for BArch/BPlanning will have to appear in Paper-2 . The Paper-2 will have three parts. Part-I (mathematics) of 100 marks with 20 Objective Type - Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) with one correct option & 5 questions with answer as numerical value. 

Part-II (Aptitude) of 200 marks will have 50 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) 

Part-III (Drawing): This part of 100 marks will have two questions. The marking scheme for MCQs will be +4 for the correct answer, -1 for an incorrect answer and 0 for an unattempted question while that for numerical value questions will be +4 for a correct answer and 0 if incorrect or unattempted. 

The total marks for this paper will be 400. The duration of the paper will be 3 hrs with total 77 questions including all three parts.

Paper-2 (For BPlanning aspirants):

The Paper-2 for BPlanning aspirants will have three parts. Part-I (mathematics) of 100 marks with 20 Objective Type - Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) with one correct option & 5 questions with answer as numerical value. 

Part-II (Aptitude) of 200 marks will have 50 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) with one correct option

Part-III (Planning Based Objective Type MCQ) of 100 marks will have 25 Objective Type - Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) with one correct option.  The marking scheme for MCQs will be +4 for the correct answer, -1 for an incorrect answer and 0 for an unattempted question while that for numerical value questions will be +4 for a correct answer and 0 if incorrect or unattempted. 

The total marks for this paper will be 400. The duration of the paper will be 3 hrs with total 100 questions including all three parts.

Why one must appear both phases of JEE Main 

• n One more opportunity to the students to improve their scores in examination if they fail to give their best in first attempt without wasting their whole academic year. 
• n In first attempt, the students will get a first-hand experience of taking an examination and to know their mistakes which they can improve while attempting for the second time. 
• n This will reduce chances of dropping a year and droppers would not have to waste a full year.
• n If anyone missed the examination due to reasons beyond control, then he/she won't have to wait for one full year. 
• n The student's best of the two NTA scores will be considered for preparation of Merit List/ Ranking.

Preparation strategy

One must not start any new books at this stage. However, one can still refer to standard books for concept clearing. This stage should be utilised more for problem solving, developing short cuts, and memorising formulae, understanding ones strengths & weaknesses. 

Aspirants must take up mock tests in online/offline modes to develop self-confidence & exam temperament. Time Management is crucial to score more marks in the actual JEE (Main).

Important Topics 

Physics, chemistry & mathematics for JEE Main (Paper-1): The chapters in physics, chemistry & mathematics of Class XI & XII has equal weightage in JEE question papers. However, when you are preparing all chapters of physics, chemistry and mathematics must be covered and stress may be given on the following topics:

Mathematics: Quadratic Equations & Expressions, Complex Numbers, Probability, Vectors, Matrices in Algebra; Circle, Parabola, Hyperbola in Coordinate Geometry; Functions, Limits, Continuity and Differentiability, Application of Derivatives, Definite Integral in Calculus.

Expert Tip: Try to do as much as quality problems as possible to develop a sound confidence level.

Physics: Kinematics, Gravitation, Fluids, Heat & Thermodynamics, Waves & Sound, Capacitors & Electrostatics, Magnetics, Electromagnetic Induction, Optics & Modern Physics.

Expert Tip: Practicing quality problems is the key to success in this subject. If concepts are clear, then this subject becomes all the more interesting.

Chemistry: Coordination Chemistry & Chemical Bonding in Inorganic Chemistry, Electrochemistry, Chemical & Ionic Equilibrium, Mole Concept in Physical Chemistry and Organic Chemistry.

Expert Tip: Just go through the Periodic Table in general and read NCERT for Inorganic Chemistry. For Organic Chemistry, first build up your all basic concepts and then start doing lots of practice. And for Physical Chemistry, practice as many numerical based type as you can.

Strategy

Sometimes the right strategy and time management play a vital role in deciding the rank for an aspirant. So, one must be quick enough to adapt to the level of the paper and act promptly. The following points may however be kept in mind when attempting the questions:

Do’s

• n Attempt easy questions first. 
• n Choose sections that have less risk and more gain.
• n Carefully scroll through the entire question paper in the first 5 minutes.
• n Keep a check on time while attempting the paper
• n Attempt all numerical-based questions as there is no negative marking.

Don'ts 

• n Don't start from question you don't know.
• n Don't get upset if any section is tough. You can score in other sections.
• n Don't guess if you have no idea about the concept involved in a question.
• n Don't be nervous if you find the paper tough, since it is the relative performance that counts. Hence, put your best analytical mind to work, it will take you ahead.

Key points that will decide your rank in JEE Main 

(Paper-1) will be:

• How well you have mastered the important topics in each of the subjects.
• How much practice you have done on similar levels of questions as asked in JEE Main
• How well you have perfected on your timing of solving an objective type question
• How much attention you have given to time management & Strategy apart from covering your syllabi.
• How much calm & confident you are when you take up the actual exam.

— The writer is a FIITJEE expert