The IISc Bangalore will conduct the JAM 2021 exam in online mode only. There will be seven papers in total, consisting of 3 sections and 100 marks each. The medium of the JAM exam will be English.
Exam Pattern
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Particulars
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Mode of Exam
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Online
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Sections
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3 (Section A, Section B & Section C)
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Sessions
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Two (9.30 am to 12.30 pm and 2.30 pm to 5.30 pm)
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Number of papers
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7
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Number of questions
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60
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Total marks
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100
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Duration
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180 minutes
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Medium
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English
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Negative marking
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Only for Section A. 1/3 mark will be deducted for each wrong answer
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Section-wise Distribution of Questions and Marks
Sections
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Questions
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Marks
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Section A
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30 MCQs (Multiple Choice Questions)
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50
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Section B
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10 MSQs (Multiple Select Questions)
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20
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Section C
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20 NAT (Numerical Answer Type)
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30
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Total
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60 Questions
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100 Marks
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IIT JAM Syllabus 2021
The syllabus of JAM 2021 has been designed by IISc Bangalore. It will mainly comprise the following subjects/topics based on 10+2+3 level.
- Physics (PH)
- Mathematics (MA)
- Chemistry (CY)
- Biotechnology (BT)
- Mathematical Statistics (MS)
- Geology (GG)
- Economics
Note: The syllabus for economics will be updated soon at the official website.
IIT JAM Exam Syllabus in Detail -
Physics (PH)
Mathematical Methods: Partial Derivatives, Calculus of single and multiple variables, Jacobian, Taylor expansion, imperfect and perfect differentials, Fourier series. Vector algebra, Vector Calculus, Divergence theorem, Multiple integrals, Stokes’ theorem, Green’s theorem. matrices and determinants, algebra of complex numbers, first-order equations, and linear second-order differential equations with constant coefficients.
Mechanics and General Properties of Matter: Newton’s laws of motion and applications, polar and cylindrical coordinate systems, velocity and acceleration in Cartesian, uniformly rotating frame, centrifugal and coriolis forces, motion under a central force, Kepler’s laws, Gravitational Law and field, System of particles, conservative and non-conservative forces, Center of mass, conservation of linear and angular momentum, equation of motion of the CM, variable mass systems, conservation of energy, Elastic and inelastic collisions, Rigid body motion, rotation and translation, fixed axis rotations, parallel and perpendicular axes theorem, moments of Inertia and products of Inertia. Principal moments and axes. Kinematics of moving fluids, Bernoulli’s theorem, Euler’s equation, equation of continuity.
Oscillations, Waves and Optics: Differential equation for simple harmonic oscillator and its general solution Lissajous figures, Damped and forced oscillators, Superposition of two or more simple harmonic oscillators, resonance. Wave equation, Energy density and energy transmission in waves, travelling and standing waves in one-dimension, Group velocity and phase velocity, Doppler Effect, Sound waves in the media, Fermat’s Principle, General theory of image formation, Interference of light, Thick lens, thin lens and lens combinations, optical path retardation, Diffraction gratings, Fraunhofer diffraction, Double refraction and optical rotation, Rayleigh criterion and resolving power, Polarization: linear, circular and elliptic polarization.
Electricity and Magnetism: Gauss’s law, Coulomb’s law, Electric field and potential, Solution of Laplace’s equation for simple cases, Electrostatic boundary conditions, Conductors, capacitors, dielectric polarization, dielectrics, electrostatic energy, volume and surface charges. Ampere’s law, Biot-Savart law, Self and mutual inductance, Faraday’s law of electromagnetic induction, Simple DC and AC circuits with R, L and C components, Alternating currents. Displacement current, Poynting’s theorem, Maxwell’s equations and plane electromagnetic waves, transmission and reflection coefficients (normal incidence only), reflection and refraction at a dielectric interface. Lorentz Force and motion of charged particles in electric and magnetic fields.
Kinetic theory, Thermodynamics: Velocity distribution and Equipartition of energy, Elements of Kinetic theory of gases, Ideal gas, Specific heat of Mono-, di- and triatomic gases, van-der-Waals gas and equation of state, Laws of thermodynamics, Mean free path, Zeroth law and concept of thermal equilibrium, First law and its consequences, Reversible, irreversible and quasi-static processes, Isothermal and adiabatic processes, Carnot cycle, Second law and entropy, Maxwell’s thermodynamic relations and simple applications, Thermodynamic potentials and their applications, Ideas of ensembles, Phase transitions and Clausius-Clapeyron equation, Maxwell-Boltzmann, Fermi-Dirac and Bose-Einstein distributions.
Modern Physics: Inertial frames and Galilean invariance, Lorentz transformations, Postulates of special relativity, Relativistic velocity addition theorem, Length contraction, time dilation, Blackbody radiation, mass-energy equivalence, Compton effect, photoelectric effect, Bohr’s atomic model, X-rays, Uncertainty principle, Wave-particle duality, the superposition principle, calculation of expectation values, the solution of the Schrödinger equation for the one-dimensional harmonic oscillator, Schrödinger equation and its solution for one, two and three-dimensional boxes, Pauli exclusion principle, reflection and transmission at a step potential, Radioactivity and its applications, Structure of the atomic nucleus, mass and binding energy, Laws of radioactive decay.
Solid State Physics, Devices and Electronics: Bravais lattices and basis, Miller indices, Crystal structure, X-ray diffraction and Bragg's law; Intrinsic and extrinsic semiconductors, a variation of resistivity with temperature, Fermi level, I-V characteristics, p-n junction diode, Zener diode and its applications, Single-stage amplifier, BJT: characteristics in CB, CE, CC modes, two-stage R-C coupled amplifiers, Simple Oscillators: sinusoidal oscillators, Barkhausen condition, Boolean algebra: Binary number systems; binary addition and subtraction, conversion from one system to another system. OP AMP and applications: Inverting and non-inverting amplifier, Logic Gates AND, NOT, OR, NAND, NOR exclusive OR; combination of gates; Truth tables; de Morgan’s theorem.
Mathematics (MA)
Sequences and Series of Real Numbers: Sequence of real numbers, bounded and monotone sequences, convergence of sequences, convergence criteria for sequences of real numbers, subsequences, Cauchy sequences, Bolzano-Weierstrass theorem, absolute convergence, Series of real numbers, tests of convergence for series of positive terms – ratio test, root test, comparison test, Leibniz test for convergence of alternating series.
Linear Algebra: Finite dimensional vector spaces, linear transformations, linear independence of vectors, dimension, basis, matrix representation, null space, range space, rank-nullity theorem. Rank and inverse of a matrix, determinant, consistency conditions, eigenvalues and eigenvectors for matrices, solutions of systems of linear equations, Cayley-Hamilton theorem.
Functions of One Real Variable: Limit, continuity, differentiation, intermediate value property, mean value theorem, Rolle’s Theorem, L'Hospital rule, maxima and minima, Taylor's theorem.
Functions of Two or Three Real Variables: Limit, continuity, differentiability, partial derivatives, maxima and minima.
Differential Equations: Ordinary differential equations of the first order of the form y'=f(x,y), exact differential equations, Bernoulli’s equation, orthogonal trajectories, integrating factor, homogeneous differential equations, linear differential equations of second order with constant coefficients, Method of variation of parameters, variable separable equations, Cauchy-Euler equation.
Integral Calculus: Integration as the inverse process of differentiation, fundamental theorem of calculus, definite integrals and their properties. Double and triple integrals, calculating surface areas and volumes using double integrals, change of order of integration, calculating volumes using triple integrals.
Vector Calculus: Scalar and vector fields, divergence, gradient, curl, surface integrals, line integrals, Green, Stokes and Gauss theorems.
Group Theory: Groups, subgroups, normal subgroups, Abelian groups, non-Abelian groups, permutation groups, cyclic groups, Lagrange's Theorem for finite groups, group homomorphisms and basic concepts of quotient groups.
Real Analysis: Interior points, limit points, closed sets, open sets, bounded sets, compact sets, connected sets, completeness of R, Taylor’s series, Power series (of real variable), radius and interval of convergence, term-wise differentiation and integration of power series.
Chemistry (CY)
PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY
Basic Mathematical Concepts: Functions; integrals; ordinary differential equations; maxima and minima; vectors and matrices; determinants; elementary statistics and probability theory.
Atomic and Molecular Structure: Fundamental particles; wave-particle duality; uncertainty principle; Bohr’s theory of hydrogen-like atom; Schrödinger’s wave equation; quantum numbers; Hund’s rule and Pauli’s exclusion principle; shapes of orbitals; electronic configuration of simple homonuclear diatomic molecules.
Solid State: Crystals and crystal systems; NaCl and KCl structures; X-rays; close packing; atomic and ionic radii; lattice energy; radius ratio rules; isomorphism; Born-Haber cycle; heat capacity of solids.
Theory of Gases: Equation of state for ideal and non-ideal (van der Waals) gases; Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution law; Kinetic theory of gases; equipartition of energy.
Electrochemistry: Conductance and its applications; Galvanic cells; Transport number; EMF and free energy; polarography; concentration cells with and without transport; Debye-Huckel-Onsager theory of strong electrolytes.
Chemical Thermodynamics: Reversible and irreversible processes; thermochemistry; first law and its application to ideal and nonideal gases; second law; entropy and free energy; criteria for spontaneity.
Chemical and Phase Equilibria: Law of mass action; Kp, Kc, Kx and Kn; effect of temperature on K; ionic equilibria in solutions; pH and buffer solutions; hydrolysis; solubility product; phase equilibria–phase rule and its application to one-component and two-component systems; colligative properties.
Chemical Kinetics: Reactions of various order; Arrhenius equation; chain reactions – normal and branched; collision theory; enzyme kinetics; transition state theory; photochemical processes; catalysis.
Adsorption: Gibbs adsorption equation; types of adsorption; adsorption isotherm; surface area of adsorbents; surface films on liquids.
Spectroscopy: Fundamental concepts of rotational, Beer-Lambert law; vibrational, electronic and magnetic resonance spectroscopy.
ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
Basic Concepts in Organic Chemistry and Stereochemistry: Electronic effects (inductive, resonance, hyperconjugation) and steric effects and its applications (acid/base property); the conformation of acyclic systems (substituted ethane/n-propane/n-butane) and cyclic systems (mono- and di-substituted cyclohexanes), optical isomerism in compounds with and without any stereocenters (allenes, biphenyls).
Organic Reaction Mechanism and Synthetic Applications: Chemistry of reactive intermediates (carbanions, carbocations, free radicals, nitrenes, carbenes, benzynes etc.); Wolff rearrangement, Hofmann-Curtius-Lossen rearrangement, Reimer-Tiemann reaction, Simmons-Smith reaction, Michael reaction, Wittig reaction and McMurry reaction; Darzens reaction, dienone-phenol rearrangement, Pinacol-pinacolone, Favorskii, benzilic acid rearrangement, Baeyer-Villeger reaction; oxidation and reduction reactions in organic chemistry; Diels-Alder, electrocyclic and sigmatropic reactions; organometallic reagents in organic synthesis (Grignard, organolithium and organocopper); functional group inter-conversions and structural problems using chemical reactions.
Qualitative Organic Analysis: Identification of functional groups by chemical tests; elementary UV, IR and 1H NMR spectroscopic techniques as tools for structural elucidation.
Natural Products Chemistry: Chemistry of alkaloids, terpenes, steroids, carbohydrates, peptides, amino acids, and nucleic acids.
Aromatic and Heterocyclic Chemistry: Monocyclic, bicyclic and tricyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and monocyclic compounds with one hetero atom: synthesis, reactivity and properties.
INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
Periodic Table: Periodic classification of elements and periodicity in properties; general methods of isolation and purification of elements.
Chemical Bonding and Shapes of Compounds: Types of bonding; hybridization; VSEPR theory and shapes of molecules; ionic solids; dipole moment; the structure of NaCl, CsCl, diamond and graphite; lattice energy.
Main Group Elements (s and p blocks): General concepts on group relationships and gradation in properties; the structure of electron-deficient compounds involving main group elements.
Transition Metals (d block): Characteristics of 3d elements; oxide, hydroxide and salts of first row metals; coordination complexes: structure, isomerism, reaction mechanism and electronic spectra; colour and magnetic properties of metal complexes; VB, MO and Crystal Field theoretical approaches for structure, organometallic compounds having ligands with back bonding capabilities such as metal carbonyls, nitrosyls, carbenes, and metallocenes; homogenous catalysis.
Bioinorganic Chemistry: Essentials and trace elements of life; basic reactions in the biological systems and the role of metal ions, especially Fe2+, Fe3+, Cu2+ and Zn2+; structure and function of haemoglobin and myoglobin and carbonic anhydrase.
Instrumental Methods of Analysis: Basic principles; potentiometry and UV-vis spectrophotometry; instrumentations and simple applications of conductometry, analysis of water, air and soil samples.
Analytical Chemistry: Principles of qualitative and quantitative analysis; precipitation reactions; acid-base, oxidation-reduction and complexometric titrations using EDTA; use of indicators; radioactivity; use of organic reagents in inorganic analysis; applications of isotopes, nuclear reactions.
Biotechnology (BT)
The Biotechnology paper comprises Biology, Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. The syllabus for all is provided below:
BIOLOGY (10+2+3) level
General Biology: Taxonomy; Genetic variation; Heredity; Conservation; Evolution; Principles of ecology; Techniques in modern biology.
Biochemistry and Physiology: Carbohydrates; Lipids; Proteins; Nucleic acids; Vitamins; Hormones; Enzymes; Metabolism – Glycolysis, TCA cycle, Oxidative Phosphorylation; Photosynthesis,Fertilization and Osmoregulation; Nitrogen Fixation, Vertebrates-Nervous system; Vascular system; Immune system; Endocrine system; Digestive system and Reproductive System.
Basic Biotechnology: Tissue culture; Antigen-antibody interaction; Application of enzymes; Antibody production; Diagnostic aids.
Molecular Biology: DNA; RNA; Transcription; Replication; Translation; Lipids and Membranes; Proteins; Operon model; Gene transfer.
Cell Biology: Cell cycle; Mitochondria; Cytoskeletal elements; Endoplasmic reticulum; Golgi apparatus; Chloroplast; Signaling.
Microbiology: Isolation; Cultivation; Bacteria; Protozoa; Structural features of a virus; Fungi; Pathogenic microorganisms.
PHYSICS (10+2 level)
Physical World and Measurement, Kinematics, Laws of Motion, Elementary Statics and Dynamics, Electrostatics, Work, Energy and Power, Current electricity, Electromagnetic Induction and Alternating Current, Magnetic Effects of Current and Magnetism, Electromagnetic waves, Optics, Atomic Nucleus, Solids and Semiconductor Devices, Dual Nature of Matter and Radiations, Principles of Communication, Gravitation, Motion of System of Particles and Rigid Body, Mechanics of Solids and Fluids, Oscillations, Heat and Thermodynamics, Waves.
CHEMISTRY (10+2+3 level)
Atomic Structure: Bohr’s theory and Schrodinger wave equation; Chemical bonding; Periodicity in properties; Properties of s, p, d and f block elements; Coordination compounds; Complex formation; Chemical equilibria; Chemical kinetics (zero, first, second and third-order reactions); Chemical thermodynamics (first and second law); Electrochemistry; Photochemistry; Acid-base concepts; Inductive, electromeric, conjugative effects and resonance; Stereochemistry of carbon compounds; Chemistry of Functional Groups: Hydrocarbons, alcohols, alkyl halides, aldehydes, carboxylic acids, ketones, amines and their derivatives; Aromatic hydrocarbons, nitro and amino compounds, halides, phenols, diazonium salts, carboxylic and sulphonic acids; Mechanism of organic reactions; Synthetic polymers; Soaps and detergents; Biomolecules – amino acids, proteins, lipids and carbohydrates (polysaccharides); nucleic acids, Instrumental techniques – chromatography (TLC, HPLC), UV-Vis, IR and NMR spectroscopy, electrophoresis, mass spectrometry.
MATHEMATICS (10+2 level)
Sets, Relations and Functions, Mathematical Induction, Complex numbers, Logarithms, Linear and Quadratic Equations, Trigonometry, Sequences and Series, Cartesian System of Rectangular Coordinates, Circles, Conic Sections, Straight lines and Family, Permutations and Combinations, Binomial Theorem, Mathematical Logic, Exponential and Logarithmic Series, Statistics, Vectors, Three Dimensional Geometry, Boolean Algebra, Matrices and Determinants, Probability, Functions, Differentiation, Limits and Continuity, Definite and Indefinite Integrals, Application of Derivatives, Differential Equations.
Mathematical Statistics (MS)
The following weightage is provided to Mathematics and Statistics:
- Mathematics - 40% weightage
- Statistics - 60% weightage
MATHEMATICS
Sequences and Series: Convergence of sequences of real numbers, Comparison, root and ratio tests for convergence of series of real numbers.
Integral Calculus: Fundamental theorems of integral calculus, applications of definite integrals, Double and triple integrals, arc lengths, areas and volumes.
Differential Calculus: Limits, continuity and differentiability of functions of one and two variables, Rolle's theorem, Taylor's theorem, mean value theorems, indeterminate forms, maxima and minima of functions of one and two variables.
Matrices: Rank, the inverse of a matrix, Systems of linear equations, Linear transformations, eigenvalues and eigenvectors, Cayley-Hamilton theorem, symmetric, skew-symmetric and orthogonal matrices.
STATISTICS
Probability: Axiomatic definition of probability and properties, conditional probability, multiplication rule, Bayes’ theorem and independence of events, The theorem of total probability.
Random Variables: Probability mass function, distribution of a function of a random variable, probability density function and cumulative distribution functions, moments and moment generating function, Mathematical expectation, Chebyshev's inequality.
Standard Distributions: Binomial, geometric, negative binomial, Poisson, exponential, hypergeometric, uniform, gamma, beta and normal distributions. Poisson and normal approximations of a binomial distribution.
Joint Distributions: Joint, marginal and conditional distributions. Joint moment generating function. Distribution of functions of random variables. Product moments, correlation, simple linear regression. Independence of random variables.
Sampling distributions: Chi-square, t and F distributions, and their properties.
Limit Theorems: Weak law of large numbers. Central limit theorem (i.i.d.with finite variance case only).
Estimation: Unbiasedness, method of moments and method of maximum likelihood, consistency and efficiency of estimators. Sufficiency, factorization theorem. Completeness, Rao-Blackwell and Lehmann-Scheffe theorems, uniformly minimum variance unbiased estimators. Rao-Cramer inequality. Confidence intervals for the parameters of univariate normal, two independent normals, and one parameter exponential distributions.
Testing of Hypotheses: Basic concepts, applications of Neyman-Pearson Lemma for testing simple and composite hypotheses. Likelihood ratio tests for parameters of univariate normal distribution.
Geology (GG)
The Planet Earth: Origin of the Solar System and the Earth; Shape and size of the earth; Geosphere and the composition of the Earth; Earth-moon system; Dating rocks and age of the Earth; Formation of continents and oceans; Volcanism and volcanic landforms; Interior of the earth; Earthquakes; Isostasy; Earth’s magnetism and gravity, Elements of Plate tectonics; Orogenic cycles.
Geomorphology: Weathering and erosion; Transportation and deposition due to ice, wind, river, sea, and resulting landforms, Structurally controlled landforms.
Palaeontology: Major steps in the evolution of life forms; Fossils; their mode of preservation and utility; Morphological characters, major evolutionary trends and ages of important groups of animals – Mollusca, Brachiopoda, Trilobita, Anthozoa, Echinodermata, Graptoloidea; Gondwana plant fossils; Elementary idea of vertebrate fossils in India.
Structural Geology: Concept of stratum; Outcrop patterns; Contour; Maps and cross-sections; Dip and strike; Classification and origin of folds, joints, faults, foliations, unconformities, and lineations; shear zones. Stereographic and equal-area projections of planes and lines; computation of true thickness of beds from outcrops and bore-holes.
Stratigraphy: Principles of stratigraphy; Litho-, Chrono- and biostratigraphic classification; distribution and classification of the stratigraphic horizons of India from Archaean to Recent.
Mineralogy: Symmetry and forms in common crystal classes; Isomorphism and polymorphism, Physical properties of minerals; Structure of silicates; Classification of minerals; Mineralogy of common rock-forming minerals; Mode of occurrence of minerals in rocks. Transmitted polarized light microscopy and optical properties of uniaxial and biaxial minerals.
Petrology: Definition and classification of rocks; Crystallization from magma; Igneous rocks-forms of igneous bodies; classification, association and genesis of igneous rocks; Sedimentary rocks – classification, size and shape of sedimentary bodies, texture and structure. Metamorphic rocks – classification, facies, zones and texture. Characteristic mineral assemblages of pelites in the Barrovian zones and mafic rocks in common facies.
Economic Geology: Properties of common economic minerals; Physical characters; General processes of formation of mineral deposits; Mode of occurrence and distribution in India both of metallic and non-metallic mineral deposits; Coal and petroleum occurrences in India.
Applied Geology: Ground Water; Principles of Engineering Geology
Candidates can download the complete JAM 2020 syllabus from the ‘Syllabi’ section on the official website - jam.iitk.ac.in.
IIT JAM 2020 Preparation Tips
Candidates must have a good preparation strategy to get through the IIT JAM exam. Here are some tips to be followed strictly:
Understanding the Syllabus: The IIT JAM syllabus is vast and it is necessary for the candidates to analyze the syllabus properly and prepare for the exam only as per the syllabus. It is advised to avoid studying irrelevant topics. Just stick to the syllabus.
Time Management with Effective Time-Table: After analyzing the syllabus, make a study-plan/ time-table. Keep more time for the difficult topics. Also, keep a break between the study sessions.
Understand the Concepts: Understanding the concepts and logic behind them. It will help in solving any type of questions from simple to complex. Mugging up topics do not help in the long run. You can consider mugging up if you find any topic too difficult to understand.
Practice Previous Year Question Papers and Mock Tests: Solving previous years’ question papers help in understanding the pattern, type of questions, difficulty level, etc. Previous years’ question papers also help in analysing the preparation level. Candidates must also appear for mock tests to work on their accuracy and time management skills.
Revision: Revision is the key to remember things. If you won’t revise the topics studied yesterday, you will forget them. So, revise daily and also make notes of important things while studying. These notes help in the last-minute revision.
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