JEE (Main) Session 1: ‘Time management is extremely important’ 

Cracking JEE Main Session 1 is no small feat. Every year, lakhs of aspirants appear for the exam, but only a handful manage to secure top percentiles. Standing tall among them this year is Ansh Agrawal of Apeejay School, Greater Noida, who achieved an outstanding 99.18 percentile, proving that consistency, smart preparation, and calmness under pressure truly make a difference.   

The Class 12 student with a deep interest in Mathematics and a passion for badminton, Ansh, describes himself as someone who enjoys balancing academics with hobbies like cycling, reading, and listening to music. Despite his confident performance, the days leading up to the result were filled with anxiety. When the result was finally declared as 99 percentile, the feeling was one of immense relief, happiness, and satisfaction: a reward for two years of sustained effort.   

Interestingly, he did not follow a rigid timetable. Instead of fixed study hours, he believed in setting clear daily and weekly goals. Once he outlined what needed to be accomplished, he focused on completing those targets irrespective of the number of hours required. 

“In the initial stages of preparation, NCERT books formed the backbone of mystudies, especially for Physics and Chemistry. For the advanced preparation, I have incorporated reference books, particularly for Mathematics, to strengthen problem-solving skills,” he shared.

Mathematics remains his favourite subject, even though he modestly feels he is ‘not perfect’ at it. “To enhance speed and accuracy, which are crucial elements in JEE, I have turned extensively to mock tests after completing the syllabus. I have attempted nearly 30 to 40 mock tests, including several offline ones to simulate real exam conditions and overcome nervousness,” he added.

Timed practice became a key strategy; he trained himself to solve questions within strict one- or two-minute limits, sharpening both efficiency and decision-making.

He credits his school and teachers for providing a strong academic foundation and constant doubt-clearing support. Their guidance helped him build conceptual clarity, particularly through NCERT-based preparation, while also balancing board exam requirements. 

Like any serious aspirant, moments of exhaustion and stress were inevitable. During such phases, he chose simple yet effective escapes:  listening to music, going for walks, cycling, or talking to friends. These short breaks helped him reset and return with renewed focus.

At present, I am focusing on my Board exams and strengthening my NCERT preparation. Alongside that, I am preparing for JEE Advanced, and after Boards, I plan to dedicate myself completely to it for a few months. I aspire to pursue engineering, preferably in a computer-related field, though I am also quite interested in Electrical Engineering because I am fascinated with Physics. 

One piece of advice for JEE aspirants? “I would advise not getting stuck on a single question for too long during the exam. Time management is extremely important. If a question feels too difficult and takes more than a few minutes, it is better to skip it and move ahead, and return to it later if time allows,” he explained.

Ansh’s achievement is not just about a percentile score; it is about disciplined preparation, strategic thinking, and maintaining composure in high-pressure situations. His journey serves as an inspiring reminder that with clarity of goals and consistent effort, excellence becomes attainable.