‘Time management key to JEE success’

In today’s rapidly evolving technological landscape, a growing number of students are gravitating towards careers in Computer Science. With its focus on innovation, problem-solving, and future-ready skills, the field has become one of the most sought-after among science stream students. To gain admission into top engineering institutes, many aspirants appear for the highly competitive Joint Entrance Examination (JEE), which demands rigorous preparation, strategic planning, and unwavering dedication alongside regular academic commitments.

One such student is Kartikeya Agarwal of Apeejay School, Noida. The Class XII student, who is interested in Computer Science, shares his JEE study strategy.

How are you balancing JEE preparation with Class XII studies?

My strategy is to revise whatever topics are being taught in school and simultaneously prepare for the same topics for JEE. On weekends, I also revise Class XI concepts.

Do you have a specific field in engineering that you’re interested in?

I’m focusing on Computer Science since it challenges my logic and reasoning. Solving problems using logic excites me, and I’m very passionate about that.

Are you also interested in Artificial Intelligence?

AI is definitely an emerging field, and though I haven’t done anything specifically in AI yet, I plan to focus on robotics and AI after completing school. I use ChatGPT for various tasks, like writing answers, checking my responses, and improving my English. It has helped me a lot with sentence structuring and vocabulary enhancement.

Have you done any coding projects or participated in competitions?

Yes, I’ve participated in several Inter-school coding competitions and worked on projects using Python. One of the highlights was winning second prize in CompuFest held in Jaipur. It was a combined Math and coding competition.

What advice would you give to students preparing for both Class XII Boards and JEE?

I don’t believe in taking a drop year. It’s better to join a private college than waste a year. The preparation is tough, but with good time management and balance, it’s manageable.

What qualities do you think are important for excelling in Computer Science?

Strong logical reasoning is a must. You need to be able to recognise patterns and understand complex problems — that’s essential in this field.

How are your parents supporting your goals?

They are very supportive, especially since my father and sister are also in the same field. Watching my father do coding all my life inspired me to pursue Computer Science.