The Journey to IIT Realization
The realization of being able to make it into the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) often comes at different times for different students. For many, it might occur after achieving a significant score in mock exams or practice tests during their preparation for the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE). Others might feel a sense of confidence after completing a rigorous study regimen or receiving encouragement from teachers or mentors. Ultimately, the combination of hard work, consistent effort, and a strong understanding of the subjects typically leads to that moment of realization. It's a journey that varies greatly among individuals!
The Breakthrough
I think what I am about to describe can resonate with every IITian to some extent. This journey begins by the middle or end of Class 10 and largely completes by the end of December. One cannot be absolutely sure of cracking the JEE by the end of this period, but one becomes relatively confident about confidently facing the exam and finishing it up in a smooth and marvelous manner. Several notable changes, both behavioral and mental, occur during this process:
The First Confrontation
The first real experience with a 'proper' JEE question, not from the Main paper but from the Advanced, can be a moment of truth. Initially, you might wonder, 'Do I really like this, or was it just a delusion?' But as you progress, you become proficient enough that the solution instantly pops into your mind, and you can even recall the year and the question number it appeared in. This is the moment we are talking about.
The Strategic Approach
The moment when you start taking negative marking seriously and solving the papers strategically instead of using a brute force approach is another significant achievement. You have moved from a beginner to an intermediate stage where you are more methodical and efficient in your approach.
The Practise Level
The level of practice when you crave for new questions to solve and feel that there's nothing left to do because you have covered every single bit from HC Verma to Irodov signifies that you are at a magical stage. This is the level where all the hard work pays off, and you start to see the results.
The Accuracy Matrix
The point of accuracy where you realize that something's wrong with a question because 'values can't be that big to produce such a ridiculous answer' is a sign that you are becoming much more accurate than even a dumb calculator. This is when you start to feel confident in your problem-solving abilities.
The Fundamental Shift
The stage when you stop relying on complex, pre-defined black-box formulas and start thinking from the fundamentals signifies that you are truly ready. It's the moment when you know you are ready for anything that comes your way.
The Moment of Realization
The moment when you have the mental build-up to confront any new question and solve it as accurately as possible is the moment you truly become the 'Thor of JEE.' You feel like the God of Solving Problems, carrying every single concept of PCM in your blood. This is the stage where you are ready, and with your 'Stormbreaker' – your brain – you exclaim, "Bring me Thanos, JEE Paper 1 and 2!!!!!"
Post-Journey Reflection
Even after three years of JEE, when a junior from your school asks you some doubts or questions, it feels incredibly satisfying to solve them. You are like the 'Thor of EndGame' and you 'went for the head.' This is the moment of ultimate satisfaction.