Dropper's Strategy for JEE 2025: IIT JEE Main & Advanced Study Plan

Joint Entrance Exam - Advanced 2025 ( JEE Advanced )

6 mins read3.5K Comments

Registration: 23 Apr '25 - 2 May '25

Mamona
Mamona Majumder
Assistant Manager
Updated on Jul 24, 2024 15:11 IST

So, you have decided to take a drop year for IIT JEE 2025? If yes, then let us help you with a tailor-made plan for IIT JEE Advanced and Mains preparation 2025. Droppers will have an added advantage over the new applicants since they have already appeared for JEE Main and Advanced once and they have the taste of both the exams. Here one can see how to move ahead in a strategic way and not at all waste a drop year in JEE preparations.

Dropper Strategy for JEE 2025

Dropper Strategy for JEE 2025: IIT JEE Main & Advanced Study Plan

Dropper Strategy for JEE 2025: In case you are not satisfied with your performance in JEE 2024 and have planned to take a drop year for the re-appearance in JEE Advanced and Main 2025, we have some crucial tips here. First of all, you need to rebuild your confidence and morale before proceeding with the dropper strategy for JEE 2025 preparation. After the performance has not been up to expectations, one needs to get up and dust oneself; therefore, droppers must pick themselves up first to score better in the upcoming examination.

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The droppers of JEE Advanced and Main already have a clear picture of their strengths and weaknesses, and also they know very well what went wrong and what can be better. So with this advantage as your weapon, let's restart the battle for IIT admissions once more.

Q:   How do the exam patterns and formats of JEE Main and JEE Advanced compare?

A:

JEE Main and JEE Advanced are both national-level entrance exams conducted for admission to undergraduate engineering programs in India. While JEE Main is the first stage of the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) and is conducted by the National Testing Agency NTA JEE Advanced is the second stage of the exam and is conducted by one of the seven Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) on a rotational basis.

Here are the key differences between the exam patterns and formats of JEE Main and JEE Advanced:

  1. Number of Papers: JEE Main has two papers - Paper 1 for admission to B.E. /B.Tech courses and Paper 2 for admission to B.Arch/B.Planning courses. On the other hand, JEE Advanced has two papers - Paper 1 and Paper 2, both of which are mandatory.
  2. Exam Mode: JEE Main is conducted in both online (Computer Based Test) and offline (Pen and Paper Based Test) modes, while JEE Advanced is conducted only in online mode.
  3. Question Types: Both exams have multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and numerical answer type questions (NATs), where students have to enter the answer in numerical form.
  4. Difficulty Level: JEE Main is generally considered easier than JEE Advanced in terms of difficulty level.
  5. Syllabus: The syllabus for both exams is similar, but JEE Advanced includes a few additional topics and also requires a deeper understanding of the concepts.

Q:   Why does JEE Advanced pattern changes every year?

A:

The JEE Advanced exam is known to be one of the toughest exams in India, with around 200,000 students competing for seats in the country's top institutions. The exam pattern changes dynamically every year, and the examiners want to test not only the students' credibility but also their adaptability. Moreover, they don't want to compromise the exam's core purpose of evaluating students' knowledge by repeating the same pattern every year. Therefore, it is beneficial to make some generalizations about the paper. This strategy ensures equal opportunity for all students and minimizes the popular "luck factor, " which we all have experienced during board exams. Analyzing previous year's papers to identify the weightage pattern for different chapters and deducing the essential topics is a useful approach. Changing the exam pattern also surprises the coaching industry that charges exorbitant fees without any guarantee of success. Lastly, since it is the JEE Advanced, surprise is an essential element, as no examiner wants rote learners to enter IIT and enjoy at taxpayers' expense.

Q:   Does the JEE Advanced Exam Pattern Depend on the Conducting IIT?

A:

This is one of the most popular questions and also a misconception about the JEE Advanced exam. The question paper design and pattern do not depend on the conducting IIT. It is never a fact that the question paper designed by an IIT will have the same difficulty level or same pattern each time it conducts JEE Advanced.

Also Check: Past 11 Years Topper Tips on How to Crack JEE Advanced Exam

Dropper Strategy for JEE 2025: Areas to Focus

One requires focused effort and strategic planning to crack JEE in a drop year. Here are some major steps that a dropper should consider:

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  1. Searching for Weak Areas: Assess your performance in previous attempts and find those topics or subjects where you need improvement.
  2. Complete the syllabus: Do the entire JEE Main and JEE Advanced syllabus at least once. Don't leave any single topic, whether it be a high-weightage topic or a low one. The entire syllabus should be completed by November or December. After December, it should be all about revisions and practice.
  3. Make a Study Schedule: Design a good study schedule that covers all subjects and, in turn, the topics that need to be looked at, along with the time required for each topic. Make sure the study routine is consistent. Keep realistic achievable goals, and this will keep you on your toes all the way.
  4. Study Material: JEE Main and JEE Advanced books like the NCERT textbooks, H.C. Verma for Physics, RD Sharma for Mathematics, coaching institute notes, self-made notes etc. can help a lot. NCERT must be used to clear the concepts and understand the basics and the reference books must be used to solve questions and mocks.
  5. Practice Regularly: Try to solve different types of problems from various sources, including JEE Main and JEE Advanced previous year papers and mock tests. It will help in getting a feel for the exam pattern and in managing time.
  6. Seek Guidance: If possible, join a coaching institute of good standing or get in touch with experienced mentors who can give you insights and clear your doubts.
  7. Revision: Revise everything that you have studied at regular intervals so that the things may get firmly implanted in your memory.
  8. Mock Tests: Take JEE Main and JEE Advanced mock tests regularly to understand and evaluate progress, pinpoint weak spots, and develop an exam strategy. Mock tests will also help you prepare yourself mentally and physically for the upcoming IIT JEE exams.
  9. Maintain a Positive Attitude and High Motivation: A proper positive attitude means everything during the phase of preparation. Believe in yourself and stay motivated towards the goal. Droppers might face challenges with mental exhaustion and self-doubts, to keep them aside, talk to positive people and listen to motivational podcasts.
  10. Learn from Mistakes: Analyze mistakes in mock tests and practice sessions. Focus on improving weak areas and refining exam strategy.

Remember, consistency and persistence are the two ingredients in the drop year. If one puts in dedicated efforts and planning, then surely, chances of success in JEE 2025 increase manifold.

Also Check: JEE Advanced Marking Scheme 2025: Total Marks, Negative Marks, Section Wise Question Distribution

Dropper Strategy for JEE 2025: Timetable to Follow

The most important thing to follow while preparing a timetable is to not keep any strict schedule. A timetable should be flexible and as per your convenience so that you feel no added pressure. Set a realistic target and stick to it.

Q:   What are the important chapters in JEE Mains and JEE Advance that give up to 80% of marks?

A:
JEE Main and JEE Advanced are two of the most competitive engineering entrance exams in India. The syllabus for both exams is vast, but there are certain chapters that carry more weightage than others. Here are some of the most important chapters for JEE Mains and JEE Advanced that can give you up to 80% of the marks: Mathematics: Calculus (Differential and Integral) Algebra (Quadratic Equations, Progressions, Complex Numbers) Coordinate Geometry (Straight Lines, Circles, Conics) Vectors and 3D Geometry Probability and Statistics Physics: Mechanics (Kinematics, Laws of Motion Work, Energy and Power, Rotational Motion) Electrodynamics (Electric Charges and Fields, Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance, Current Electricity Electromagnetic Induction and Alternating Currents) Optics (Geometrical Optics Wave Optics) Modern Physics (Dual Nature of Matter and Radiation, Atoms and Nuclei, Electronic Devices) Chemistry: Physical Chemistry (Basic Concepts, States of Matter Atomic Structure, Chemical Bonding, Equilibrium, Thermodynamics Chemical Kinetics, Electrochemistry) Inorganic Chemistry (Classification of Elements and Periodicity in Properties, Chemical Bonding and Molecular Structure, Hydrogen and its Compounds, S-Block Elements, P-Block Elements) Organic Chemistry (Purification and Characterisation of Organic Compounds, Hydrocarbons, Haloalkanes and Haloarenes, Alcohols, Phenols and Ethers, Aldehydes, Ketones and Carboxylic Acids, Organic Compounds Containing Nitrogen) It's important to note that these chapters are not the only ones that will be covered on the exams. It's also essential to have a solid understanding of the other topics and to practice solving a variety of problems to increase your chances of success.

Q:   What is the marking scheme for JEE Advanced?

A:

The marking schemes change each year. Negative marks may be awarded for incorrect answers to some of the questions. Details of the marking scheme will be provided in the “Instructions to Candidates” section at the time of examination. JEE (Advanced) 2024 will consist of two question papers: Paper 1 and Paper 2 of three hours duration each. Both papers are compulsory. Each question paper will consist of three separate sections, viz., Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics.

Q:   What is the JEE Advanced exam pattern?

A:
The Joint Entrance Examination Advanced exam pattern varies each year. There are 2 papers in the Joint Entrance Examination Advanced exam. Paper 1 and Paper 2 of Joint Entrance Examination Advanced will comprise three separate sections wherein questions will be asked from Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics. There will be negative markings for answering any question incorrectly in the Joint Entrance Examination Advanced exam. Medium of the Examination: English and Hindi The main exam will be conducted online through a CBT (computer-based mode). Joint Entrance Examination Advanced consists of 2 papers (Paper 1 and Paper 2), and students have to appear for both papers. The question paper consists of three parts: Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics. Both Paper 1 and Paper 2 will have 3 parts, that are: Part 1: Physics Part 2: Chemistry Part 3: Maths Each part will have 3 sections in both papers 1 and 2: Section 1: This section contains 8 questions. The answer to each question is a Numerical Value. For each question, enter the correct numerical value of the answer using the mouse and the onscreen virtual numeric keypad in the place designated to enter the answer. If the numerical value has more than two decimal places, truncate or round off the value to 2 decimal places. Answers to each question will be evaluated according to the following marking scheme: Full Marks: 3 Marks only if the correct numerical value is entered Zero Marks: 0 In all other cases Section 2: This section contains six questions. Each question has 4 options. One and more than one of these four options is the correct answer. For each question, choose the options corresponding to all the correct answer The answer to each question will be evaluated according to the following marking scheme Full Marks: 4 marks for every correct answer. Partial Marks: 3 marks If all 4 options are correct but only three options are chosen; Partial Marks: 2 marks 3 or more options are correct but only two options are chosen both of which are correct; Partial Marks: 1 If two or more options are correct but only one option is chosen and it is a correct option; Zero Marks: 0 If none of the options is chosen. Negative Marking: 2 Marks will be deducted In all Cases. Section 3: This section contains 4 Matching List Sets. Each set has 1 MCQ. Each set has 2 lists: List-1 and List-2. A list-1 has Four entries 1, 2, 3, or 4, and a List-2 has Five entries (P), (Q), (R), (S), and (T). Four options are given in each MCQ based on List-1 and List-2 and only one of these four options satisfies the condition asked in the MCQ. Answers to each question will be evaluated according to the following marking scheme: Full Marks: 3 Marks only if the option corresponding to the correct combination is chosen; Zero Marks : 0 If none of the options is chosen; Negative Marks: 1 Mark will be deducted in all other cases.

Q:   Which section is considered the toughest in JEE Advanced exam?

A:

The toughness of a section in the JEE Advanced exam depend on the preparation level of the candidates. However, as per the previous year analysis and student raction of the candidates about the JEE Advaced exam, Maths is considered tough as the section is generally lenthy and the calculation take a lot of time. Maths is followed by Physics when it comes to difficulty and Chemistry is generally ranked as the easisest section.

Q:   What are the most important topics in Maths section of JEE Advanced exam?

A:

Over the year, the questions in JEE Advanced in the Maths section are asked from topics like:

  • Functions
  • Limits
  • Application of Derivatives
  • Definite Integrals
  • Area under Curve
  • Inverse Trigonometric functions
  • Vectors
  • 3D Geometry
  • Circle, Parabola
  • Quadratic Equations
  • Permutation & Combination
  • Probability

We have given below a timetable for IIT JEE preparation for droppers:

Slot 1: 1 hour to 1.5 hours in the Morning

Revision of any one subject of your choice

If you have enrolled in Coaching, complete the same. Come back home and have lunch and a nap.

Also Check: How to Crack JEE Advanced 2025 Without Coaching With Self Study

Slot 2: 3 hours in the Evening

Revision and practice of 2 subjects.
Complete Daily Practice Problems (DPP)/ reference books/ Previous Year Question Papers (PYQs).

Take a short break and indulge in any activity of your choice.

Slot 3: 3 hours in the Night

 Revision/practice any weak subject.
Review coaching notes and mark your doubts for the next day's class.
Complete backlogs, if any.

Advantages of Taking Drop Year for JEE Preparation

This drop year for the preparation of JEE Advanced and Main 2025 can prove worthwhile in many ways. This depends on various factors and also how much one wants to prep up. Some of the potential advantages include:

  1. More Time to Prepare: The most important reason that a drop year is taken by students is to get more preparation time. JEE is highly competitive, and this extra year shall help in getting a good grip on the concepts, trying out more problems, and develop test-taking strategies.
  2. Focused Study: You can focus on the preparations in a drop year fully, without the disturbances of regular school classes and exams. This focused study environment can considerably improve your chances of scoring well.
  3. Focused Improvement: In case your performance in the previous attempt was close to the cutoff or if you believe there are certain areas where you need improvement, then a drop year allows you to target those weaknesses. You can work on subjects or topics that were challenging for you earlier.
  4. Re-assessment and Planning: A drop year allows one to reassess his goals and career aspirations. One can plan one's future academic path with a good assessment of his JEE result and preference for colleges and branches.
  5. Mental Preparation: Due to a variety of reasons, such as stress, health, or personal issues, students may not feel mentally prepared for the test during their first attempt. The drop year could be utilized in regaining mental and confidence factors to try again with a much clearer head.
  6. Competitive Edge: A better score in JEE may get one admission to a more prestigious college and better branches of study. A drop year will give you the edge over others that is required to make it into the institution of your choice.

Also Check: JEE Advanced Chapter Wise Weightage 2025 for Maths, Physics, Chemistry

One must be aware, however, of the probable drawbacks: financial issues, the risk of burnout from too long studying, and staying motivated all year long. In the final analysis, the decision to take a drop year must be taken after an effective analysis of your present level of preparation, your goals, and your circumstances.

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About the Author
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Mamona Majumder
Assistant Manager

Mamona is an accomplished author with 6 and counting years of expertise in education-based content creation. Armed with an MA (Hons) in Advertising and Public Relations, complemented by a BA (Hons) in Journalism and... Read Full Bio

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Answered 2 days ago

JEE Advanced has two papers. Each paper has 3 parts (Physics, Chemistry and Maths) and each part has four sections. Every section has a particular marking scheme. As per the later paper pattern, the marking scheme in each of these sections are as follows:

Section

Number of questions and total marks

Marking Scheme

1

4 questions of 12 marks

  • +3 If ONLY the correct option is chosen
  • 0 If none of the options is chosen (i.e. the question is unanswered)
  • -1 in all other cases

2

3 questions of 12 marks

  • +4 ONLY if (all) the correct option (s) is (are) chosen
  • +3 If all four options are correct but ONLY three options are chosen
  • +2 If three or more options are correct but ONLY two options are chosen, both of
    which are correct
  • +1 If two or more options are correct but ONLY one option is chosen and it is a
    correct option
  • 0 If none of the options is chosen (i.e. the question is unanswered)
  • -2 In all other cases

3

6 questions of 24 marks

  • +4 for the correct answer
  • 0 for no attempts

4

4 questions of 12 marks

  • +3 If ONLY the correct option is chosen
  • 0 If none of the options is chosen (i.e. the question is unanswered)
  • -1 for the wrong attempts

A

Akansha Bhandari

Beginner-Level 3

Answered 2 days ago

Candidates can download the previous year JEE Advanced question papers on the official website of JEE Advanced - jeeadv.ac.in. For success in the exam, it is important to practice the previous year papers. Toppers and experts believe that solving the previous year question papers is the most integra

...more

V

Vipra Mehra

Beginner-Level 3

Answered 4 days ago

The best books to prepare for chemistry section in JEE Advanced as per toppers and experts are:

  • Organic Chemistry by Morrison and Boyd for Organic Chemistry
  • Concise Inorganic Chemistry by J. D. Lee for Inorganic Chemistry
  • Modern Approach to Chemical Calculations by RC Mukherjee
  • NCERT Chemistry Class 11

...more

N

Nishtha Shrivastava

Beginner-Level 3

Answered 4 days ago

As per the recommendations from the experts and toppers, candidates can refer to the following books for JEE Advanced physics preparations:

  • Understanding Physics by DC Pandey
  • Practice Book Physics for JEE Main and Advanced by DC Pandey
  • NCERT Physics Class 11 and 12
  • Problems in General Physics by I. E. I

...more

V

Virajita Choudhury

Beginner-Level 3

Answered 4 days ago

Both the JEE Main and JEE Advanced syllabi cover Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics from CBSE classes 11 and 12. However, JEE Advanced includes additional topics beyond the standard syllabus. For example, it covers Thermal Physics and Electrochemistry, which are not part of the JEE Main syllabus.

Th

...more

M

Manori Karan

Beginner-Level 3

Answered 4 days ago

To build this confidence, the student should take the JEE Advabced mock exams that simulate actual exam conditions. These mock tests help with time management, provide valuable practice, and offer a clear understanding of the exam pattern and question format, all of which are beneficial for better p

...more

A

Abhay Aggarwal

Beginner-Level 3

Answered 4 days ago

Students can take JEE Advanced mock tests and do a detailed feedback on their performance. After each test, candidates can do a comprehensive analysis into how the they approached the mock test and identifying areas for improvement. This analysis will helps students rectify mistakes and improve thei

...more

M

Mamona Majumder

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 4 days ago

About 2 to 3 months prior to the exam, start taking JEE Advanced full-length mock tests regularly. This will not only help build stamina for the extended duration of the exam but also give you a realistic sense of the actual test environment.

C

Chanchal Pandey

Beginner-Level 3

Answered 4 days ago

Yes. Candidates can find official JEE Advanced mock tests on the official website of JEE Advanced, jeeadv.ac.in. The conducting IIT releases the mock tests 1 or 2 months before the exam date. Candidates can access these free mock tests link to practice for the exam. Other than that, many free and pa

...more

A

Abhishek Chaudhary

Beginner-Level 3

Answered 4 days ago

Yes you can apply for JEE Advanced. However, you will not be eligible for admisison to the IITs. As, candidates need to have Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics as compulsory subjects in the year of first appearance in the Class XII exam to be eligible for admission ti the IITs.

Candidates must have p

...more

M

Manori Karan

Beginner-Level 3