JEE Topper Interview: Kartik Sharma who scored 99.8 percentile shares his preparation strategy

In this interview, we speak with Kartik Sanjeev Sharma, who achieved an All India Rank of 166 in JEE Mains Paper 2 for B.Arch, scoring 99.8 percentile. Kartik shares his journey, preparation strategies, and future aspirations, offering valuable insights for future JEE aspirants.

The final scores of the Joint Entrance Examination Main (JEE Main 2024 Paper 2) were revealed on Saturday, May 18. This year saw exceptional performances, with two students securing 100 percentile marks in both BArch and BPlanning. Administered by the National Testing Agency (NTA), the JEE Main Paper 2 had its first session on January 24 and the second on April 12, with the best scores from the two sessions considered for ranking. Among the 99,086 candidates registered for both sessions, 71,009 took the test.

On May 26, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras conducted the JEE Advanced 2024, featuring two shifts of Paper 1 and Paper 2. Students found the physics section particularly challenging. The provisional answer key for JEE Advanced 2024 will be available on June 2, with results and topper announcements on June 9.

In this interview, we speak with Kartik Sanjeev Sharma, who achieved an All India Rank of 166 in JEE Mains Paper 2 for B.Arch, scoring 99.8 percentile. Kartik was a student at Ekya Schools, where he pursued a combination of PCMD (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Design) in CBSE Grade 12. He shares his journey, preparation strategies, and future aspirations, offering valuable insights for future JEE aspirants.

Q. Congratulations on your JEE and Board result! What was your reaction when you came to know about your rank?

Kartik: I was really pleased with myself, primarily I was glad that I got the result I expected.

Q. When and how did you decide to pursue B.Tech/ B.Arch?

Kartik: I found a calling to architecture after my 10th std and that’s why I decided to pursue B.Arch. I was always good at sketching and I had an aptitude for maths and hence I decided to pursue architecture which has a combination of both aspects.

Q. Tell us something about your family, schooling, etc.

Kartik: I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my teachers, parents, and mentors who supported and encouraged me throughout my journey. Their guidance and belief are really what helped me achieve the score which I have now. Ekya School provided me with comprehensive study materials, experienced faculty support, and access to practice tests. I owe a lot to my teachers for their emphasis on practical learning greatly aided my preparation for JEE Mains B.Arch.

Q. When did you start preparing for JEE and what was the strategy?

Kartik: My preparation journey for JEE Mains involved a combination of self-study, coaching class material, and regular practice. I focused on understanding the concepts thoroughly rather than rote memorization. Solving past papers and mock tests regularly helped me get acquainted with the exam pattern and manage time effectively.

Q. What were your strong and weak areas?

Kartik: I have no weak areas. I just focused on all-round improvement.

Q. When did you start taking full-length JEE mock tests?

Kartik: I started taking JEE mock tests 2 years ago and have been giving them consistently every week since.

Q. How did you balance your JEE preparation along with your school and board exams?

Kartik: I split my day’s study schedule between board and JEE preparation, paying equal emphasis to both. Breaking down the syllabus into smaller, manageable chunks helped me stay organized.

Q. What was your JEE ADVANCED exam-taking strategy?

Kartik: I found that breaking down the syllabus into smaller, manageable chunks helped me stay organized. Regular revision and solving numerical problems boosted my confidence in tackling the mathematics section specifically. Additionally, for the JEE Paper 2, practicing drawing and design skills along with keeping up to date with the theory was crucial.

Q. Which is your dream Engg college and branch?

Kartik: With my score in the B.Arch Paper, I plan to enroll in a reputable architecture college or university to further hone my skills and knowledge in this field. I also have plans for higher studies in architecture and will work towards this as well.

Q. During your rigorous preparation journey, how did you unwind yourself?

Kartik: The journey wasn’t rigorous for me as such because I did play online games, watch a few shows, and go out on trips occasionally.

Q. What are your plans after completing B.Tech? Your suggestion for next year’s JEE takers.

Kartik: I am having plans for higher studies in architecture and will work towards this as well. My suggestion for next year’s JEE takers is to focus on self-study and practice all subjects (especially Maths) daily.

JEE Main Exam Overview

The Joint Entrance Examination Main (JEE Main) is one of the most competitive engineering entrance exams in India. The final scores of JEE Main 2024 Paper 2 were revealed on Saturday, May 18. This year, two students each secured 100 percentile marks in BArch and BPlanning, according to the National Testing Agency (NTA), which administers the examination. The first session of JEE Main Paper 2 was held on January 24 and the second session took place on April 12. For candidates who appeared in both sessions, the NTA considered the best out of two scores for ranking.

The agency reported that 99,086 common candidates registered for both sessions, of whom 71,009 took the test.

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