Everything You Need To Know To Ace Engineering Entrance Exams!

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Engineering entrance exams are one of the most sought-after entrances after 12th boards. The mere fact that engineering has numerous disciplines governing the job market is what makes this particular entrance exam popular amongst students. With a rapid rise in technological advancements, new interdisciplinary options are emerging for engineering students to experiment in. This makes it an exciting and progressive career.

This article talks about Engineering entrance exams, a few preparation tips and a few other things to keep in mind. But before we touch on any of these topics, let’s take a look at the important nationwide entrances you should be aware of.

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List of Engineering Entrance Exams

• JEE (Main) - Having replaced AIEEE, it is now accepted as the cutoff score by NITs, IIIT’s, centrally funded technological institutes (CFTI’s) along with a few other private institutes.
• JEE (Advanced) - It has replaced IIT-JEE and is accepted as the cut-off score for the IITs and certain other institutes (both private and government)
• BITSAT (Birla Institute of Technology and Science Admission Test)
• VITEEE (Vellore Institute of Technology)
• IISc (Indian Institute of Science) - Through JEE Advanced
• IIST (Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology) - JEE Advanced
• MU-OET (Manipal University Online Entrance Test)
• SRMJEE (Sri Ramaswamy Memorial Institute)
• IPU CET (Indraprastha University)
• Other Private University Exams: Based on your preferred location or specializations, you may want to investigate entrance exams for institutions like KIITEE, COMEDK UGET, or specific state universities.

Apart from these, every state conducts its own CETs. Maintain a record of them as well as they provide entry to many state-run institutes.

Important topics to cover while preparing for Engineering Entrance Exams

The syllabus of engineering entrance exams revolves around three main subjects - Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. Here, we will look at each subject, and the questions trend followed in the past years. This gives a clear idea of which topics are more important to help you fetch more marks.

However, you must keep in mind that such trends change with time. So, under no circumstances should you consider skipping topics that have a low weightage in the recent trends. Cover every topic.

1. Physics

Physics is considered to be one of the toughest sections in any engineering entrance exam. Mastering the subject takes regular dedication and practice. This section is helpful if you want to boost your marks high enough to secure a good rank.

Some of the most important and regular topics are

• Modern Physics (a good number of questions are asked/ highly scoring)
• EMI, AC/EM waves and Communication 
• Mechanics, Magnetic effects (a good number of questions are asked/ highly scoring)
• Current Electricity
• Electrostatics
• Heat and Thermodynamics 
• Ray and wave optics 
• Gravitation and rotational mechanics

2. Chemistry

It is important for you to pay equal attention to all three sections of Physical, Inorganic, and Organic Chemistry. Physical Chemistry constitutes a major part of the questions, followed by Organic and Inorganic.

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Mnemonic for Electronegativity Trends:

"Funky Chicken, Never Paint Zebras Black"

Fluorine, Chlorine, Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Zinc, Bromine

Mnemonic for Diatomics on the Periodic Table:

"Have No Fear Of Ice Cold Beer"

Hydrogen, Nitrogen, Fluorine, Oxygen, Iodine, Chlorine, Bromine

Physical Chemistry requires a thorough understanding of the formulae and their practical application. Inorganic chemistry involves the periodic tables, trends, chemical reactions, it's balancing, atomic structure, bonding, and metallurgy. Organic Chemistry covers compounds, elements, and chemical bonding.

Some of the most important and regular topics are

• Oxygen-containing organic compounds
• Biomolecules and polymers
• P, D, and F block elements
• Coordination compounds
• Surface chemistry
• Basic principles of organic chemistry
• Hydrogen and S block elements
• Chemical bonding

3. Mathematics

Although considered to be a tough nut to crack by many students, mathematics can be a scoring section of entrance exams. Once you understand the basic concepts and derivations of formulae, all you need is practice to gain speed. You need to solve questions quickly, ensuring that you pay equal attention to accuracy.

Algebra, trigonometry, coordinate geometry, and calculus are considered to be some of the important, recurring mathematics topics in engineering entrance exams. Special emphasis must be laid on learning these from scratch.

Some of the most important topics are

• Matrices and determinants
• 3-D Coordinate geometry
• Quadratic equations
• Inequalities
• Progressions
• Conics
• Indefinite and definite integrals and area under the curve
• Applications of derivatives
• Limits, Continuity and Differentiability

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Reference books for Engineering Entrance Exams

Physics

• NCERT Physics books 1 and 2
• Concepts of Physics by H.C.Verma
• Problems in General Physics by I.E.Irodov
• Arihant Physics/ IIT-JEE Physics by D.C.Pandey
• Fundamentals of Physics by Resnick, Halliday and Walker

Chemistry

• NCERT Chemistry books 1 and 2
• Physical and Organic Chemistry by O.P. Tandon
• Numerical Chemistry by P. Bahadur
• Concise Inorganic Chemistry by J.D. Lee

Mathematics

• NCERT Mathematics Part 1 and 2
• Class 11th and 12th Mathematics by R.D. Sharma
• Trigonometry and Geometry by S.L. Loney
• Higher Algebra by Hall and Knight
• Problems in Calculus by I.A. Maron

Final Points to Keep in Mind Before Appearing for Engineering Entrance Exams

Trust yourself. You know more than you think. 

• Don’t lose out on sleep. A healthy sleep schedule includes good sleep for about 5-6 hours a day. Reducing your time for sleep will lead to a tired mind that won't let you concentrate.
• Eat well and exercise. A lot of many times, due to stress, students give up on eating proper meals and physical exercise, which is detrimental to their health. Remember, you will only be able to prepare and perform well if your body is healthy.
• Don’t compare your preparation with that of your peers. This only leads to demotivation. Have confidence in yourself and your preparation.
• Take time off to relax. Go for a walk, play, listen to music, or indulge in recreational activities that help you take your mind off the daily grind.
• Do not start new topics towards the end of your preparations, especially when the exams are approaching.
• Group studies with friends and classmates can prove beneficial. Studying in groups gives you an idea about the different techniques. You'll also be able to understand topics better.
• Reach out to your parents, friends, and teachers for counseling if you are stressed. They'll guide and help you.

Conclusion

In conclusion, appearing for engineering entrance exams can be a challenging and nerve-wracking experience. However, by keeping certain points in mind, you can increase your chances of success. Firstly, make sure to thoroughly understand the exam pattern and syllabus. This will help you prioritize your preparation and focus on the most important topics. Secondly, practice regularly and solve as many previous year question papers as possible. This will not only familiarize you with the exam format but also improve your speed and accuracy.

Additionally, seek guidance from experienced mentors or join coaching classes if needed. They can provide valuable insights, tips, and tricks to help you excel in the exams. Lastly, maintain a positive mindset and stay confident throughout the preparation and examination process. Believe in your abilities and give your best effort. With dedication, hard work, and smart preparation, you can conquer any engineering entrance exam and secure admission to your dream college.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: How important is it to solve the previous years’ question papers?

Solving previous years’ question papers is extremely important for engineering entrance exams. It helps you understand the exam pattern, familiarize yourself with the types of questions asked, and identify the important topics. Additionally, it improves your time management skills and boosts your confidence.

Q2: Is joining a coaching class necessary for cracking engineering entrance exams?

Joining a coaching class is not mandatory, but it can be beneficial for many students. Coaching classes provide structured guidance, expert faculty, and a competitive environment that can enhance your preparation. However, self-study and online resources can also be effective if you have strong discipline and motivation.

Q3: How should I manage my time during the exam?

Time management is crucial during engineering entrance exams. It is recommended to allocate specific time slots for each section or subject based on its weightage and difficulty level. Additionally, practice time-based mock tests to improve your speed and accuracy.

Q4: What is the difference between JEE Main and JEE Advanced?

JEE Main and JEE Advanced are both entrance exams for admission to engineering programs in India. The main difference is that JEE Main is the first-level exam, while JEE Advanced is the second-level exam. Only those who qualify in JEE Main are eligible to appear for JEE Advanced.

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