JEE Main 2027: How can students manage board exams and entrance test together?

For Class 12 students, the year ahead brings two major exams at once. Boards ask for neat, step-wise answers. JEE Main asks for speed, accuracy and sharp problem-solving. Many aspirants feel they must pick one, but educators say the real challenge is managing time, effort and mindset.

The two examinations are not competing priorities

Ms. Satwant Palekar, Vice President, Academics, Birla Open Minds says, "Preparing for JEE Main alongside Class 12 board examinations is undoubtedly a demanding phase for students. However, I believe the biggest challenge is not the volume of the syllabus but the ability to manage time, maintain consistency and approach two different examination patterns with the right mindset.

The good news is that these two examinations are not competing priorities. If approached strategically, preparation for one can strengthen performance in the other."

Build one foundation, not two journeys

"Students often make the mistake of treating board preparation and JEE preparation as two separate journeys. Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics remain the common foundation. I would recommend that students first develop clarity over NCERT concepts, particularly in Chemistry, and then progressively move towards application-based questions, numerical problems and higher-order practice required for JEE," says Ms. Palekar.

Getting things done is a skill

Dr. Somnath P. Patil, Pro-Chancellor, Dnyaan Prasad Global University (DPGU), by Dr. D. Y. Patil Group, Pune: "Most students do not struggle because they lack intelligence. They struggle because they have not learned to organise their time and effort.

Getting things done is a skill, and like any skill, it improves with practice."

Plan first, then prioritise

Dr. Patil says, "A student should know what needs to be done this week, this month and this semester. Writing it in a simple diary is enough.

A plan need not be perfect, but it should exist, otherwise the day is decided by whatever comes first and not by what matters most. Students should ask what is urgent, what is important and what can wait. Learning to ignore small distractions, such as endless scrolling, is part of this habit."

Ms. Palekar adds, "A structured preparation calendar is more effective than long, unpredictable study hours. The objective should not be to study for 12–14 hours a day, but to make every study hour purposeful."

Practise both formats

"Students must practise writing complete answers for board examinations while also undertaking timed objective tests for JEE. Neither format should be neglected," says Ms. Palekar.

Start small and review weekly

"The best way to begin is to start small. Even thirty minutes of focused work creates momentum, and finishing a small task gives confidence for the bigger one. A short weekly review, even ten minutes every Sunday, helps a student see progress and correct course early," says Dr. Patil.

Use mock tests to learn from mistakes

Ms. Palekar says, "Mock examinations should not simply be used to track scores. Their real value lies in analysing mistakes. I would encourage students to maintain a mistake journal and revisit it regularly. Sometimes, correcting five recurring mistakes can be more valuable than attempting another hundred questions without reflection."

Dr. Patil adds, "Mistakes will happen. A missed deadline is a lesson, not a failure."

Protect well-being and stay consistent

"Adequate sleep, physical activity, short breaks and time away from screens are not distractions from preparation; they are essential to sustaining it. Parents and teachers must create an environment where students feel supported rather than constantly evaluated through mock-test scores," says Ms. Palekar. "For JEE Main 2027 aspirants, preparation should be built around consistency. The final phase should ideally focus more on revision, mock-test analysis and strengthening areas of weakness rather than attempting to learn the entire syllabus afresh."

Dr. Patil concludes, "Teachers and parents can guide, but the habit must finally come from the student."