The Strategy That Most Toppers Follow - and Why It Isn't About Studying More Hours

Kabeer Chhillar scored 300/300 in JEE Main 2026 Session 1. In his interview afterwards, he revealed something counterintuitive: he never fixed study hours. He completed his homework, rectified mistakes from tests, and practised only when time remained. No 14-hour marathons. No colour-coded timetables plastered on the wall.

This is not an outlier. Reading interviews with the 26 candidates who earned a perfect percentile in Session 1, a pattern emerges. They do not talk about studying more. They talk about studying the right things, analysing their mistakes obsessively, and treating mock tests as diagnostic instruments rather than self-esteem boosters. Arnav Gautam, another 100-percentile scorer, said mock tests gave him an idea of the question paper structure and helped him strategise how to attempt questions with accuracy. Bharath Madhusudhan, who scored 99.87 percentile, called self-reflection "key for success".

The JEE Main preparation industry has every incentive to convince you that success requires more resources, more hours, more anxiety. The toppers' actual strategies tell a quieter, cheaper, more focused story.

This page distils that story into a usable plan. You will find the JEE Main syllabus breakdown, a phased study plan, subject-by-subject strategy, the exact role of mock tests and previous year papers, book choices that matter, and the two-session system that can work to your advantage - all grounded in what worked for candidates who have already done it.

Understanding What JEE Main Actually Tests

JEE Main Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech) is a 3-hour computer-based test with 75 questions - 25 each from Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. In each subject, Section A has 20 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and Section B has 5 numerical value questions. All 75 questions must be attempted.

The marking scheme is sharp: +4 for each correct answer, -1 for wrong MCQs and numericals, 0 for unattempted. Total marks: 300.

Over 13 lakh candidates appeared for the 2026 Session 1 exam across 304 cities in India and 15 abroad. The test is conducted in two shifts per day, and the difficulty level varies between shifts. To ensure fairness, the National Testing Agency (NTA) uses a normalisation process based on percentile scores. Your raw marks are transformed into a percentile that shows the percentage of candidates in your shift who scored equal to or below you. The formula:

Percentile Score = (100 × Number of candidates in the shift with raw score ≤ your score) / Total candidates in that shift

Percentiles are calculated to 7 decimal places to minimise ties. This normalised percentile, not your raw marks, determines your final rank. If you appear in both sessions, the better of your two percentile scores is used. Understanding this early saves you from the false anxiety of comparing raw marks across shifts or sessions.

The exam does not just test knowledge - it tests speed, accuracy, and decision-making under pressure. Your preparation must train both the understanding and the execution. Check the latest JEE Main dates to anchor your study calendar.

The Syllabus and Weightage: Start Here or Waste Months

The single most common preparation error: starting to study before understanding exactly what to study. The JEE Main syllabus draws exclusively from Class 11 and 12 NCERT content, but not all chapters carry equal weight, and several topics have been permanently removed from the exam scope since 2024.

Deleted Topics That You Must Avoid Studying

These deletions remain unchanged in 2026. Studying removed topics wastes time, so cross-verify your textbook list against the official JEE Main syllabus PDF before you make your chapter schedule.

High-Weightage Chapters That Produce Marks Fast

NTA does not publish official weightage, but analysis of papers from 2020 to 2026 reveals consistent patterns:

Physics (high-weightage): Current electricity, modern physics (atoms, nuclei, semiconductors), optics (ray and wave), kinematics, laws of motion, work-energy-power, rotational motion, thermodynamics, magnetism, electrostatics.

Chemistry (high-weightage): Chemical bonding, coordination compounds, electrochemistry, chemical kinetics, thermodynamics, p-block elements, organic reaction mechanisms, biomolecules.

Mathematics (high-weightage): Calculus (differential and integral), coordinate geometry (straight lines, circles, conic sections), vectors and 3D geometry, algebra (matrices, determinants, sequences and series), probability.

A smart approach: master high-weightage, low-effort chapters first - modern physics, chemical bonding, biomolecules. They give you the fastest return on study time. Then tackle high-weightage, high-effort chapters like calculus and rotational mechanics. Low-weightage topics can wait until the syllabus is nearly complete.

Building a Study Plan That Fits Your Life

Timetables fail when they are aspirational rather than realistic. A 14-hour day looks impressive on paper and collapses by Wednesday. Build a rhythm you can sustain for months.

When Should You Start?

Most successful candidates begin in Class 11, giving themselves two years of gradual concept building and multiple revision cycles. Starting early is ideal, but starting late does not disqualify you. Candidates have cracked JEE Main with 100 days of focused preparation. The difference: a late start requires ruthless prioritisation of high-weightage chapters and immediate immersion in mock tests and previous year questions (PYQs).

A Sample Weekly Rhythm

Adjust the days to your school hours, coaching schedule, and energy levels. The non-negotiables are: one full-length mock test every week, dedicated analysis time after each test, and 30-45 minutes of daily formula or short-note revision.

Monthly Milestones

School students should aim for 4-6 focused hours of JEE study outside school daily. Droppers can push to 7-9 hours, provided the quality holds. Kabeer Chhillar's advice is worth repeating: if you feel exhausted, sleep for an hour or two, then study. Fatigue generates false confidence.

Subject-Wise Strategy: Each Demands a Different Approach

Physics: Concepts First, Then Numbers

Physics is the subject aspirants most often abandon mid-preparation. The reason: jumping to numericals before the concept settles. Start with NCERT to understand the idea behind each topic. Then move to problem-solving. Maintain a formula notebook that records not just the formula but the conditions under which it applies.

High-weightage, formula-driven chapters (modern physics, current electricity, optics) give you quick scoring momentum. Mechanic chapters (laws of motion, rotational dynamics) are conceptually dense - invest time, but do not let them block your entire physics schedule.

Chemistry: The Most Scoring Section - If You Work With NCERT

Chemistry consistently produces the highest average scores. The reason: a significant portion of questions, particularly in inorganic chemistry, come directly from NCERT line-by-line reading.

Physical Chemistry: Understand formulas, then solve numericals. Chapters like electrochemistry, thermodynamics, and chemical kinetics are formula-heavy but logical.

Organic Chemistry: Focus on reaction mechanisms and the why behind reactions, not just memorising products. GOC (General Organic Chemistry) is your foundation - do not rush through it.

Inorganic Chemistry: NCERT is your primary text. The p-block, coordination compounds, chemical bonding chapters reward memorisation and pattern recognition.

Mathematics: Consistency Over Intensity

Mathematics cannot be crammed. It demands regular, varied problem-solving. Aim for 30-40 problems daily, mixing chapters to maintain breadth. A formula-and-identity notebook is essential - maths spans dozens of interconnected formulas, and a consolidated reference saves hours during revision.

Arnav Gautam followed a clear section attempt order during the exam: Chemistry first, then Physics, then Mathematics. He used the remaining time to review and reattempt questions. This kind of strategic question selection emerges only from repeated mock test practice.

Mock Tests, PYQs, and the Art of Analysis

Mock tests are not an assessment tool. They are the preparation itself. Every topper interview returns to this point.

Official Resources You Should Use

NTA provides free mock tests on the official website (nta.ac.in/quiz) and through the National Test Abhyas App, which lets you download tests and practise offline. Test Practice Centres (TPCs) are also available across India where you can experience the actual computer-based test environment for free. Booking a slot at a nearby TPC before your actual exam builds comfort with the interface.

How Many and When

Start with chapter-wise tests as soon as you finish a topic. Transition to full-length mocks once 60-70% of your syllabus is complete. Aim for 15-25 full mocks before the exam, increasing to 3-4 per week in the last month.

The Analysis Protocol

Taking a mock test without analysing it is worse than not taking it - it reinforces mistakes without correction. After each test:

1. Categorise every wrong answer: Conceptual error, calculation mistake, time pressure, careless reading.
2. Time-stamp your sections: Where did you spend too long? Where did you rush?
3. Maintain an error notebook: Record the question, your wrong approach, and the correct method. Revisit it weekly.
4. Track patterns: Which chapters produce consistent errors? That tells you where to focus revision.

Arnav Gautam avoided using a calculator during practice to build mental calculation speed and reduce silly mistakes. Bharath Madhusudhan said his grand test practice gave him the stamina to handle a tougher-than-expected paper.

Previous Year Papers

Solve PYQs from at least the last 5-7 years. They reveal which chapters appear frequently, what question formats repeat, and how difficulty trends shift between sessions. Most toppers solve PYQs at least three times - chapter-wise during learning, as full papers during revision, and in the final sprint. The JEE Main results page provides context on how percentiles translate to ranks.

Books That Matter - and the Trap of Owning Too Many

The most common resource mistake: collecting 5-6 books per subject and mastering none. Pick one primary source per subject, master it completely, and supplement only for targeted practice.

The Core Stack

For advanced practice: DC Pandey's series (Arihant) for graduated physics problem sets; Amit M Agarwal's books on calculus and SK Goyal's algebra book for mathematics.

What not to do: skip NCERT for Chemistry (ever), switch between multiple theory books, buy a new book every time your mock score drops. The problem is usually your revision, not your book.

Coaching vs Self-Study: Making the Right Choice for You

The evidence from toppers points to a hybrid reality. Most top scorers attended coaching, but every single one also described extensive self-study, self-analysis, and independent practice as the core of their preparation.

What Coaching Provides

Structure, peer competition, regular testing, and access to teachers for doubt resolution. These are real advantages for students who struggle with self-discipline.

What Self-Study Demands

Discipline, resource selection, and the ability to diagnose your own weaknesses. It works for students who enjoy independent learning and can stay consistent without supervision. The biggest risk is isolation - without peer benchmarks, you may overestimate your preparation.

The Hybrid That Works

Use coaching or structured online resources for concept clarity and testing. Do all problem-solving and revision independently. This gives you guidance without dependency. If you choose self-study, invest in an online test series for competitive benchmarking. Use the JEE Main college predictor to set rank targets based on your mock performance.

The Two-Session Advantage and How Normalisation Affects Your Strategy

JEE Main 2026 has two sessions - Session 1 in January and Session 2 in April. NTA considers the better of your two percentile scores for the final All India Rank. This changes your strategy.

Who Should Focus on Session 2?

Candidates scoring below 90 percentile in Session 1 historically see the greatest improvement - 15 to 25 percentile point jumps are possible with focused revision, error correction, and time-management practice. Even a 15-25 mark increase can boost your percentile significantly.

Candidates already above 97 percentile in Session 1 gain a diminishing return from chasing small improvements. Historical data from the two-session system shows that 97-98 percentile scorers typically improve by only 3-8 percentile points. For them, the smarter move is to shift focus immediately to JEE Advanced preparation, using Session 2 only for light maintenance. The safety net of the better-of-two rule protects your standing.

Why Competition Has Increased

The two-session system gives everyone two chances, so the bar has risen. Five years ago, a general-category candidate needed roughly 89 percentile to qualify for JEE Advanced. In 2024 and 2025, that cutoff crossed 93 percentile. The number of candidates has also grown - 2026 Session 1 saw over 13 lakh test-takers. This does not mean the exam has become harder; it means you must approach it with a sharper strategy. Check the JEE Main cutoffs page after results for the official qualifying percentile and category-wise trends.

The Last 30 Days: Precision Over Volume

The final month is not for learning new topics. It is for consolidation, speed refinement, and mental preparation.

Stop starting new chapters. Focus entirely on what you already know. The return on time invested in a brand-new, low-weightage topic is negligible.

Increase mock test frequency. One full-length mock every 2-3 days, with analysis in between. Simulate exam conditions: same start time, same 3-hour block, same break pattern.

Revise short notes and formula notebooks daily. Your handwritten summaries are your most efficient revision tool. Spend 1-2 hours daily on formula review across all three subjects.

Re-solve your error notebook. The mistakes you made in previous mocks are the most predictive of mistakes you will make in the actual exam. Eliminate them systematically.

Fix your sleep schedule. If your exam is in the morning shift, train your body to be alert at that time. Late-night studying in the final week that disrupts your sleep cycle is counterproductive. Ensure your JEE Main admit card details are clear and that you have verified your exam centre location well in advance.

Common Mistakes That Cost Ranks

• Skipping NCERT for Chemistry. Direct NCERT questions appear every year in inorganic chemistry. Leaving them on the table is avoidable.
• Switching between multiple reference books. Depth beats breadth. One book thoroughly solved is worth five skimmed.
• Delaying mock tests until the syllabus is "complete". The syllabus will never feel fully complete. Start mocks early and learn through exposure.
• Ignoring mock test analysis. The test produces data. The analysis produces improvement. Never skip it.
• Studying for long hours without a plan. A focused 4-hour session with clear objectives outperforms 10 hours of passive reading.
• Getting demoralised by low mock scores. A low score that triggers targeted revision is more valuable than a high score that teaches you nothing.
• Focusing only on your favourite subject. All three subjects carry equal weightage. Neglect one, and you cap your total score.
• Neglecting health and sleep. Memory consolidation happens during sleep. Arnav Gautam played cricket daily with his brother. Bharath Madhusudhan played football or basketball for an hour every evening. These are not distractions - they are performance maintenance.