JEE Main 2026 Begins Tomorrow: IIT Mandi Student Rishang Yadav Shares Last-Minute Preparation Tips for Aspirants
The Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main 2026 is set to begin tomorrow, January 21, marking a crucial moment for lakhs of engineering aspirants across India. Conducted by the National Testing Agency, JEE Main Session 1 will be held nationwide in two shifts — the first shift from 9 am to 12 noon and the second shift from 3 pm to 6 pm.
As candidates make final revisions and prepare mentally for the high-stakes examination, Indian Institute of Technology Mandi student Rishang Yadav has shared valuable insights from his own preparation journey. Currently pursuing a Bachelor of Technology in Computer Science and Engineering (2023–2027 batch), Yadav’s structured approach and disciplined routine offer timely guidance for students appearing in the exam this year.
JEE Main is not only an entry gate to NITs, IIITs, and other centrally funded technical institutions, but also serves as a qualifying examination for JEE Advanced, which determines admission to the prestigious IITs.
With less than 24 hours to go, aspirants are focusing on revision, mock tests, and maintaining calm. Rishang Yadav’s preparation strategy highlights several key moments that defined his journey.
He began preparing for JEE in Class 11, giving himself sufficient time to build strong fundamentals in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. According to him, early preparation reduces stress and eliminates the pressure of last-minute cramming.
A structured daily routine played a central role in his success. After school and coaching, Yadav dedicated around six to seven hours to self-study, dividing his time into multiple focused blocks of two to three hours. Regular breaks, physical activity, and short relaxation periods helped him avoid burnout and maintain long-term consistency.
As the exam approached, he intensified his mock test schedule. Initially attempting one mock test every two weeks, he gradually increased the frequency. In the final phase, he was attempting mock tests almost every day, analysing mistakes thoroughly and revisiting weak areas before moving forward.
Reactions
Sharing his experience, Yadav emphasised the importance of conceptual clarity over rote memorisation. He explained that Physics felt intuitive to him because it was rooted in understanding the laws of the physical world. Visualising concepts and deriving formulas independently helped strengthen his problem-solving skills.
Chemistry, he noted, required a balanced approach. Organic Chemistry relied heavily on logic, Physical Chemistry demanded speed and numerical practice, while Inorganic Chemistry required fact-based revision. To handle memorisation, he used acronyms and maintained short notes or “cheat sheets” for quick recall.
Mathematics, according to Yadav, was all about practice and exposure to diverse question types. Regular problem-solving helped him improve accuracy and speed, two critical factors in a time-bound exam like JEE Main.
He also highlighted the role of teachers in helping him overcome difficult chapters such as rigid body dynamics and conic sections. Asking questions without hesitation and practising extensively after conceptual clarity made these challenging topics manageable.
Yadav’s preparation journey underlines a larger message for JEE aspirants — success in competitive exams is a result of consistency, smart planning, and self-awareness. His advice to treat previous years’ papers as full-length mock tests is particularly relevant, as it helps students understand the exam pattern, difficulty level, and time management strategies.
He stressed that mock tests are only effective when followed by detailed analysis. Making a list of mistakes, identifying conceptual gaps, and practising similar questions from weak areas can significantly improve performance.
Another key takeaway from his journey is the importance of targeted practice. Instead of spreading efforts evenly across all chapters, Yadav focused extra time on weaker topics, strengthening them through repeated practice and doubt-solving.
In terms of resources, apart from standard coaching material, he practised questions from well-known books such as I.E. Irodov for Physics, M.S. Chauhan for Organic Chemistry, and Vikas Gupta’s Black Book for Mathematics, highlighting the role of quality problem-solving material in preparation.
As JEE Main 2026 gets underway, Rishang Yadav’s insights provide reassurance to anxious aspirants. His emphasis on disciplined routines, conceptual understanding, regular mock tests, and mental calm serves as a reminder that the exam is as much about strategy and confidence as it is about knowledge.
For students appearing tomorrow, his final piece of advice stands out — treat the actual exam just like a mock test. Familiarity with the pattern and confidence in preparation can help keep nerves under control on the big day.
Our Final Thoughts
With lakhs of students set to appear for JEE Main 2026, stories like Rishang Yadav’s offer both clarity and confidence. His journey reinforces that cracking competitive exams is not about studying endlessly, but about studying smartly. A calm mind, strong fundamentals, honest self-assessment, and consistent effort can make a decisive difference. As aspirants step into exam centres tomorrow, the focus should be on execution rather than anxiety. The exam is just another mock test — one that rewards preparation done with patience and purpose.