Even with numerous fields of studies and professional courses springing up in the recent years, the pursuit of an IIT-dream has still not taken a back-seat for an average Indian student. The resonating echo of the question 'How to crack IIT' is not ready to fade out yet. IITs still remain the most sought after institutes by the school students or students just out of school and aspiring to become Engineers. The practical fact however is: the 16 odd institutes can accommodate only about 2% of the total number that appear for the entrance exam. This leads us to question how to prepare for IIT to set oneself apart from the numerous others in the crowd.

What is the factor that sets this cream of the nation apart? It would be not be appropriate to say that the students who do not get through the JEE are not intelligent enough, or there was a shortcoming in their determination, or passion or hard-work, for that matter. So how come those 2-3% found the key to the question ‘How to crack IIT’, while the rest kept wondering how to prepare for IIT for real.

This discussion is aimed at giving a little insight to the IIT JEE aspirants to help them answer the question how to prepare for IIT themselves rather than looking for the answer elsewhere.

• First off, proper planning is the baseline to each question that is in the minds of the aspirants while wondering how to crack IIT. Plan out right from the first day of your preparation the amount of time you would give to preparation of basics, solving basic questions and then stepping up to the complex problems. Plan this out for each subject depending on your strengths and weaknesses. It is generally advised in the ‘how to prepare for IIT’ tips by experts to give the maximum amount of time to Mathematics followed by Physics and then Chemistry.

• Overcome the coaching institute dilemma at an early stage of preparation. Some students join a coaching institute, can’t adjust to the teaching methods there, so quit it after 6 months of slogging to their schedule. Refrain from doing this. Join a coaching institute or adopt self-studies, depending on your study habits. Take coaching trials if you are not sure of it, instead of wasting money. The question ‘How to prepare for IIT’ is a relative one you see. It is a myth that coaching is an absolute necessity to crack IIT.

• Don’t neglect your school studies. Majority of the syllabus can be covered by paying proper attention in class.

• Conceptual knowledge is the key to figure out how crack IIT JEE, so be thorough with the basic concepts.

• Plan out for revision period also well in advance. One can make small modifications to this time table in due course of time, but having a basic structure is of utmost importance, then only can you actually clear the exam and be on the other end of the question, how to crack IIT?.

• Have study sessions with your friends to clarify doubts. One can join online coaching forums and discussions as well for this.

• Remember ‘Slow and steady wins the race’, so avoid procrastination: Don’t leave things for tomorrow if you can do it today.

• Remember to relax and take time out for your hobbies as well, don’t forget the rest of your life in trying to find the answer to ‘How to crack IIT JEE’.

Keep these basic tips in mind, have confidence in yourself and make an honest effort. These are not just tips stating how to prepare for IIT, but are the simple keys to success that would help you go a long way in life.