How Can I Increase Problem-Solving Skills in Maths for JEE Mains?
To develop problem-solving skills, it is crucial to attain a clear understanding of the concepts first. Once the concepts are well understood, students should attempt a maximum number of problems on the same topic within 24 to 48 hours. This approach helps in building a habit of consistently applying the learned knowledge and ultimately enhancing problem-solving abilities over a period of two years.
Focus on Practice and Attitude
The best way to strengthen mathematics is through regular and consistent practice. It is important to focus on both the quantity and quality of practice questions. Students should aim to solve a wide range of problems to cover all possible scenarios within a topic. For high-quality questions, I highly recommend books like Vikas Gupta, A Das Gupta, and Sameer Bansal, as well as the VMC Modules for Mathematics.
Dealing with Tough Questions
Mathematics in the JEE involves complex but straightforward applications of simple concepts. It is challenging and requires extensive practice and time. One of the common problems students face is the difficulty in understanding and solving complex, theoretical problems. To address this, it is recommended to give less time to studying theories and more to concept-building through numerical practice. This helps in discovering the various applications of theories, making them more memorable and understandable.
Building a Catalog of Solved Problems
Maintaining a separate notebook or folder where all the variety of problems solved are stored is an excellent practice. This helps in retaining the methods used for different types of problems. Instead of writing every numerical question, it is more effective to write one question for each variety. For tough problems, it is advised to skip them temporarily and solve simpler ones first. Once you have completed a considerable amount of easy and medium problems, try the tough ones again; you will likely find them easier.
Effective Revision Techniques
Revision is the key to retaining knowledge for the long term. Start by solving a topic comprehensively and noting down every variety of questions. For effective revision, follow the spaced repetition technique: after completing a topic, do not touch it for a week. Then, revise by reading the theory and your notes. If you have forgotten something, solve it again. Revise the topic again after two weeks, then after one and a half months, and finally after four months. This method, called spaced repetition, will help in embedding the knowledge in your long-term memory.
Explanation and Understanding
Instead of rote memorization, try to understand the concepts. Regularly explaining a topic to yourself or others in simple terms can significantly enhance your understanding and retention. For instance, the periodic table (P-block) is better remembered using spaced repetition than by reading it repeatedly in one day. Go through the subject matter for a day, then after a few days, then after 14 days, and so forth, gradually extending the intervals.
Application and Flexibility
These techniques can be applied across all subjects. The goal is to make sure that everything you study sticks in your memory for the long term. By following these strategies, you can significantly improve your rank and understanding in the JEE Mains and other exams. Stay focused on your goals, and with the right strategies and consistent effort, you can achieve success in any exam.