— Sandeep Mehta

The JEE Advanced is one of the most difficult entrance tests for engineering in India. As a test, it is more challenging and very highly competitive to get into the IITs. The level of difficulty makes every attempt very precious, especially for students who might have their own or academic challenges that also retard performance.

For the first time, the number of attempts for JEE Advanced have been increased from two in two consecutive years to three in three consecutive years. While many people are happy with the change, here is why it may be beneficial.

Many students feel the pressure to qualify JEE Advanced in the first attempt. The availability of an extra attempt can relieve some portion of that pressure, allowing the student to approach the exam thoughtfully and positively. Now that they know there’s an extra chance, they might prepare more calmly and in detail. As a result, the stress levels subside that often get in the way of working up the mark, and the student stands a better chance of scoring marks.

Students in the management quota or merit positions have already received excellent preparation as compared to other students. For instance, some students may not have received good coaching or guidance in their first attempt. This additional attempt provides them with another chance to ensure a strong foundation in key subjects such as Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. They can gain experience and learn from their mistakes, reinforce weak points, improve knowledge, and increase skills. It will also provide some extra time for the student to revise concepts, practice extensively, and understand the exam pattern.

An additional attempt would allow the student to revise and sharpen their approach to taking the test. He can practice different ways of managing time; try out different question-solving methodologies or even study the previous question papers to modify his strategy. They can underline the weak areas and hone their speed at solving problems. In addition to this, they would maintain their psychological resilience and devise a plan for handling unanticipated situations while attempting the test.

Clearing JEE Advanced with a high rank is one of the conditions that guarantee a college seat into any of the top engineering programmes in India, and hence more importantly will highly influence what they are likely to do later in their career. It gives students who are likely to get below the cutoff their one shot at getting their dream. The second chance will be the door to good education and possibly placements in big companies, which lead to a promising future.

More than just an extra test date, an extra JEE Advanced attempt gives students the opportunity to get better, get beyond obstacles, and explore other options. This extra effort might be the turning point in many students’ academic careers, enabling them to fulfill their dreams of becoming engineers and securing a better future.

(The writer is the co-founder of Vidyamandir Classes)