How To Handle Tough Topics in JEE Main Chemistry

How To Handle Tough Topics in JEE Main Chemistry

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Updated on Jan 17, 2025 12:14 IST

Most JEE aspirants pay less attention to chemistry as it is an easy subject compared to Physics and Mathematics. However, to score good marks in Chemistry, students need to study the complete topics as mentioned in JEE Mains Syllabus. 

Chemistry is the subject that is often neglected by JEE aspirants, thinking it to be “fairly easy” when compared to Maths and Physics. However, this is not a good practice, and may cost students their JEE ranks. It is important to focus on all the three subjects equally to obtain a good JEE rank. In this article, you will know about how to handle tough topics in JEE Chemistry.

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Handling Tough Topics in Organic Chemistry

Study from good books

It is a common perception of students that Organic Chemistry requires memorization of reactions, and hence they dislike the subject. However, it is not the case. Organic Chemistry is very logical and does not require rote learning. If you study the subject form a good book, you will begin to like the subject, if you already don’t like it.

Q:   How many months are required to prepare for JEE Mains exam?

A:
The time period required to complete the JEE Main preparation depends mainly on the students. Every student has their own pace of study. Ideally, 6-month time is good enough to complete the JEE Main preparation. Students who have started preparing from class 11 or 12 can easily prepare for JEE Main. In 6 months considering the topics of JEE syllabus have already been studied in classes 11 and 12. JEE Main preparation is most effective with classes 11 and 12 as almost 90-95 percent of topics are similar in both exams. This way students can easily complete the entire JEE Main. Syllabus as well as the syllabus of classes 11 and 12. After the board exams, students get 2-3 months' time where they can focus entirely on JEE Main. Students who have started late for the JEE Main exam can make a 6-month plan where in the first three months they have to focus on revising the syllabus studied in classes 11 and 12. In the next two months focus on solving questions of JEE Main and analyzing the mistakes being made, if any. The last month should be focused on solving mock tests and JEE Main previous year question papers.

Q:   How to crack JEE Mains in first attempt?

A:

Hi aspirant!

Clearing the JEE Main exam in first attempt is not a difficult task. If we see the year over year statistics, the ratio of students who clear JEE Main in first attempt is high in comparison to students who dropped a year after class 12. One thing that makes it easy to clear JEE Main with class 12 is that students are in regular touch of most JEE syllabus. To score good marks in JEE Main in the first attempt, it is advised that you study class 11 and 12 topics thoroughly, clear all the concepts and solve mock test papers. Also, NCERT books which you study in class 11 and 12 are the best books for JEE Main preparation. Students must study NCERT properly and solve all the questions in the book and do not memorize the concepts as some students do rather understand the concepts.

Hope this cleared your doubt. Best wishes!

Q:   What is the minimum score or rank required in JEE Advanced to get into a good IIT?

A:

The definition of a good IIT can be subjective. The candidates who wish to get admisison to the first generation of the IITs like IIT Bombay, IIT Madras, IIT Kharagpur, IIT Kanpur, IIT Delhi, IIT Guwahati, and IIT Roorkee must have a high score of 250+ marks out of 360 marks. However, this is not applicable for all courses offered by these IITs. Every course and IIT has different demand and seat ratio which effects the admission of the candidates. Hence it is very difficult to say what will be the minimum score or rank required in JEE Advanced to get into a good IIT.

Candidates must aim to score as high as possible in the exam to be able to get a seat in the first generation of the IITs as these IITs see the most demand and craze among students in academia.

LG Wade is a very good book on Organic Chemistry. Reading this book can change your perspective towards this subject.

Put adequate efforts in studying named reactions

Named reactions are a very important aspect of Organic Chemistry. Many questions on named reactions are asked in JEE every year. Named reactions comprise of reactions like “Friedel-Crafts reaction”, “Reimer-Tiemann reaction”, “Wurtz reaction”, “Cannizzaro reaction” etc. You are expected to know these reactions very well.

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While studying each of the named reactions, focus on parameters like the reactants, products, electrophiles, nucleophiles, catalysts, reaction exceptions, positive reaction conditions, negative reaction conditions, and reaction mechanism. Questions can be asked on any of these in JEE.

Make a notebook containing all the reactions

Make a separate notebook in which you should write all the reactions that you ever come across in Organic Chemistry. For each of these reactions, try to understand why the reaction is occurring. Go through this notebook everyday and when you see a reaction, try to recall its mechanism. You will realize that with time, you have become very comfortable with reaction mechanisms in Organic Chemistry, and you will start liking it :)

Q:   What is a safe score for JEE Advanced to get an IIT?

A:

It is a very relatable thing. A good score in JEE Advanced will depend on various factors one of them being the cutoff. Further, the cutoff will depend on various factors like the difficulty level, paper pattern, number of seats in the IITs, number of candidtaes taking the exam and so on. Therefore, it is difficult to say what will be a safe score. However, 300+ is a safe score in JEE Advanced if the total marks in the paper is 360.

JEE Advanced 2024 cutoff has been the highest in the past 6 year. This year the cutoff marks has been 109 marks for the Common rank list (CRL) out of 360 marks. For the GEN-EWS and OBC-NCL rank list the cutoff marks is 98; for SC/ST/Common-PwD/GEN-EWS-PwD/OBC-NCL-PwD/SC-PwD/ST-PwD is 54 marks and for Preparatory course rank lists it is 27 marks.

Q:   How would I know my JEE Advanced exam centre?

A:

Candidates will only know their allotted JEE Advanced exam centre after the release of the admit card. There is no way to determine the test centre prior to this. The examination authority assigns a test centre in the city of the candidate's first preference, as specified in the application form. Therefore, candidates can be assured that they will receive a test centre in their chosen first-preference city. However, the specific venue details will be available only on the admit card. Once the JEE Advanced admit card is released, candidates should promptly check their test city and centre information. To avoid any confusion, it is recommended that candidates visit the centre at least once before the exam day.

Q:   Is self study enough for JEE Advanced preparations?

A:

Self-study can definitely be enough for preparing for JEE Advanced, but it largely depends on how disciplined, focused, and systematic your approach is. Many students who successfully crack JEE Advanced have done so through self-study, but it requires dedication, strategic planning, and good time management.

  1. Choose the right study materials. Books like HC Verma (Physics), IIT Chemistry series (Chemistry), and Cengage or TMH for Mathematics are popular among JEE aspirants. Additionally, refer to previous years' question papers and mock tests.
  2. JEE Advanced is known for testing deep conceptual understanding. So, focus on building strong foundations in basic concepts before moving on to advanced problems.
  3. Make a realistic timetable and stick to it. Divide time wisely between topics and practice. Set weekly or monthly goals to track your progress.
  4. Initially, focus on understanding the concepts, and then move to solving problems of varying difficulty. Mock tests and solving previous year papers can be especially useful.
  5. Consistency is key. Devote a set amount of time each day to study, even if it's just a few hours. Avoid large gaps between study sessions.
  6. Regularly assess your understanding by taking mock tests and solving previous year papers. This will help identify weak areas and refine your strategy.
  7. Since you're studying independently, maintaining motivation can be challenging. Break down larger tasks into smaller chunks, celebrate small achievements, and stay focused on your goals.

Self-study can work as effectively as coaching if you're self-disciplined and proactive about addressing doubts. However, many students find that a mix of self-study and structured coaching works best because coaching can provide direction, mentorship, and strategies for tackling competitive exams. Ultimately, the key is to maintain consistency, focus, and clarity in your preparation approach.

Q:   Is one month sufficient for JEE Main preparation?

A:
One month is not sufficient for JEE Main preparation if a student has not started preparing or have not studied earlier for the exam. As the syllabus of JEE Main is vast, studying all the topics and remembering them take a lot of effort. However, class 12 student can get a decent score in JEE Main if time after the bard exam is devoted exclusively for the JEE preparation. Since most topics of JEE Main and class 12 are similar, students need to revise all the topics and solve previous year JEE Main question papers. Start solving JEE Main mock test papers at last 3-4 days before the exam to make yourself comfortable with the exam.

Q:   Can we prepare in 6 months for JEE Mains as well as JEE advance?

A:

JEE Mains and JEE Advanced are no cake walk. Candidates prepare for these exams for years. However, it may be possible to prepare for both JEE Mains and JEE Advanced in 6 months, but it requires a well-structured plan, dedication, and efficient study techniques. Here are some tips to help you get started:

  • Understand the Syllabus and Exam Pattern: Familiarize yourself with the syllabus and exam pattern for both JEE Mains and JEE Advanced. This will help you prioritize topics and allocate time effectively.
  • Create a Study Plan: Develop a detailed study plan that covers all the important topics in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. Allocate specific time slots for each subject and stick to the schedule.
  • Focus on Core Topics: Concentrate on the core topics that carry more weight in the exams. For JEE Mains, focus on Mechanics, Electromagnetism, Optics in Physics; Physical Chemistry and Organic reactions in Chemistry; and Calculus, Algebra, and Coordinate Geometry in Mathematics.
  • Use Quality Study Material: Choose the right study materials and reference books. Stick to one or two reliable sources to avoid confusion and ensure thorough understanding.
  • Practice Regularly: Solve previous years' question papers and take mock tests regularly. This will help you get accustomed to the exam pattern and improve your time management skills.
  • Revise Consistently: Regular revision is crucial to retain concepts and formulas. Make short notes for quick revision and focus on weak areas.
  • Stay Healthy and Positive: Maintain a healthy lifestyle with proper sleep, nutrition, and exercise. Stay positive and motivated throughout your preparation journey.

Handling Tough Topics in Inorganic Chemistry

Study from good books

Inorganic Chemistry is the part of chemistry that requires mugging up all reactions. Although mechanisms of some inorganic reactions can be understood, but mostly things are to be memorized in Inorganic Chemistry. Studying from a good book is important as it explains things on point.

Textbook of Inorganic Chemistry for Competitions (JEE Main & JEE Advanced) by OP Tandon is a good book for JEE inorganic chemistry, which would help you strengthen your grasp in the subject.

Study important topics really well

Certain topics in Inorganic Chemistry cannot be skipped by the JEE chemistry paper setters. Some of these topics are Metallurgy, Coordination compounds, p-block elements, etc. Study these topics really well.

Solve all the previous year questions of such topics. Doing this will help you get an idea of the type of questions that appear in JEE.

Try to link things to the periodic table

Try to analyze the trends (for example, solubility of salts etc.) and try to link them with the periodic table. Mostly, you will find a direct relation, barring the case of exceptions.

Trend analysis would also help you memorize properties of various elements and compounds, which would help you in other chapters as well. For example, if you are thorough with solubility of salts by doing trend analysis, you will not face difficulty in memorizing if a particular salt is soluble or not while studying the Qualitative Analysis chapter.

Make a reactions notebook

As in the case of organic chemistry, make a notebook for inorganic chemistry as well. Write all the important reactions in that notebook. Go through this notebook frequently. Especially about three months before the exam, start revising from this notebook every day.

In the notebook, also write all the exceptions that are to be remembered as well. Memorizing exceptions is as important in Inorganic Chemistry as is memorizing equations.

Use color codes for qualitative analysis

Qualitative analysis is the most dreaded topic of JEE Inorganic Chemistry. Memorizing colors of the compounds is a very difficult task. You can make it easier by writing the names of the compounds with the same color ink as that of the color of the compounds. In this way, you will form a picture memory of the colors of compounds, and it will be easier for you to memorize them.

Handling Tough Topics in Physical Chemistry

Focus on concepts

Don't try to mindlessly mug up formulae. Try to understand each and every thing logically. Physical Chemistry involves solving numericals, hence a clear understanding of all concepts logically is important.

Solve previous years’ JEE questions

Solving previous year JEE questions would help you get an idea of the type of questions asked and also would help you build confidence when you solve them.

Use mole concept to understand things

Mole concept is the very basic aspect of physical chemistry. However, you will find its application at many places. For a crystal-clear understanding of topics like Chemical equilibrium, Chemical kinetics, Electrochemistry etc., you should think everything from mole and equivalents perspective.

In this article you learnt about how to handle difficult topics in JEE chemistry. Put these tips to best use and score well in JEE chemistry!

About the Author:

Aman Goel is co-founder at a Tech Start-up. He holds a BTech in Computer Science Engineering from IIT Bombay with a JEE Advanced AIR 33 (Year 2013).

During his free time, he enjoys writing articles/blogs. He is an Entrepreneur, Coder, Speed-cuber, gamer, and fan of Air crash investigation!

 

 

 

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