Start IIT JEE: How to Begin Your Journey to Top Engineering Colleges

When you decide to start IIT JEE, the national entrance exam for India’s top engineering colleges, including the IITs. Also known as JEE, it’s not just another exam—it’s the gateway to careers in engineering, research, and tech leadership across India and beyond. Most students think they need coaching from day one, but the truth is, start IIT JEE with the right mindset and materials, not just expensive classes.

Getting started means understanding the two stages: JEE Mains, the first qualifying exam that opens doors to NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs, and JEE Advanced, the tougher test that determines admission to IITs. You can’t jump into Advanced without clearing Mains. The syllabus is heavy—physics, chemistry, math—but it’s not random. It’s built on Class 11 and 12 CBSE content, which is why NCERT books are your first and most important resource. Many toppers didn’t join coaching centers; they mastered NCERT, practiced past papers, and tracked their progress daily.

What separates those who succeed from those who burn out? It’s not talent. It’s consistency. You don’t need to study 16 hours a day. You need to study smart: focus on weak topics one at a time, solve at least 20 problems daily, and review mistakes weekly. Resources like HC Verma for physics and R.D. Sharma for math aren’t optional—they’re the foundation. And if you’re wondering whether CBSE papers are the same everywhere, yes—they are. That means your preparation is valid no matter which state you’re from. The exam doesn’t favor one region over another; it rewards clarity and practice.

Don’t get lost in the noise of YouTube gurus or paid test series. Start with what’s proven: understand the exam pattern, know the weightage of each chapter, and build a realistic timetable. If you’re aiming for IIT Bombay with a rank under 5000, you need to know the cutoff trends, branch preferences, and how counseling works. The top JEE toppers didn’t have magic tricks—they had routines, discipline, and a clear plan. You don’t need to be a genius. You just need to begin.

Below, you’ll find real advice from students who’ve been there: the best books to use, how to avoid common mistakes, what the rank actually means, and how to stay motivated when progress feels slow. Whether you’re just starting or stuck in the middle, these posts give you the straight talk you won’t find in flashy ads.