In an important update for JEE Advanced candidates, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur has announced that, starting in 2025, students will be allowed to attempt the prestigious exam three times in three consecutive years. This marks a significant change from the previous limit of two attempts in two consecutive years, which was the norm for many years. It also gives students more opportunity to secure admission in India’s top engineering colleges, IITs.
The potential of turning opportunities into success is best exemplified by Kalpit Birwal, one of the most inspiring success stories of JEE Mains. The first student to score a perfect 360/360 in the exam, Kalpit’s achievement not only earned him an All India Rank 1 (AIR 1) in JEE Mains 2017, but paved the way for a remarkable career.
After graduating in Computer Science from IIT Bombay in 2021, Kalpit became an entrepreneur and investor, leading his successful startup AcadBoost, which focuses on online education, software and email marketing.
Apart from his entrepreneurship, Kalpit is an active advisor and mentor to several startups, helping students and young professionals in their academic and career pursuits. Through his platform, he shares valuable content on exam preparation, business growth, and career-building strategies.
Essential advice for JEE aspirants
Here are some practical and insightful tips from Kalpit Birwal that he believes are essential to crack the JEE exam.
1. Build consistency in the study schedule
“The first piece of advice I would give is to continue with your studies,” says Kalpit. Uttam India. He emphasizes that consistent study is more effective than short, intense bursts of effort. According to him, students who study regularly for three to four hours a day outperform students who alternate between intensive study sessions and periods of inactivity. Stick to a meditation routine to steadily build your knowledge over time.
2. Focus on problem solving rather than theory
“Learning theory is important, but practice makes perfect. Exams are all about solving problems,” advises Kalpit. Since JEE is a test of application rather than knowledge, he recommends solving as many problems as possible to understand the concepts in depth and sharpen your ability to tackle various questions under pressure.
3. Revise frequently
Kalpit says, ‘You should revise at least five to six times before the exam. He believes that regular revision is the most important habit for any top scorer. Revisiting each chapter several times throughout the year will help strengthen your memory and strengthen understanding. “I revised the chapters several times to ensure that nothing was left to chance, and I think students should do the same,” says Kalpit.
4. Develop and practice a clear strategy
Kalpit suggests that students should develop their exam strategy well in advance of the big day. “Solve several exam papers at home, at your own pace, and identify which topics come naturally to you. This will help you decide which ones to tackle first,” he advises. It is important to know how much time to allocate to each section, when to skip difficult questions, and how to adapt your approach based on the difficulty level of the paper.
5. Avoid overthinking the outcome
Kalpit adds, “Sometimes, focusing too much on the outcome can hamper your performance. Instead, enjoy the process.” He explains that overthinking the outcome can create unnecessary stress. A more relaxed approach, where students focus on learning and enjoying the subject, will ultimately lead to better performance. According to him, the best results come when students stop focusing on the end goal and enjoy the learning journey.
JEE exam being a major milestone, Kalpit believes that life after IIT is very important. “IIT taught me not only academic rigour, but also how to be disciplined, work hard and solve complex problems,” he says. He highlighted that the skills honed during JEE preparation – time management, problem solving, and perseverance – are invaluable for success in any career, whether as an entrepreneur, a professional in top companies, or a consultant for others.
The recent decision to allow three attempts for JEE Advanced from 2025 offers students a valuable opportunity to approach their preparation with greater confidence and a better sense of control. Kalpit comments, “Spending an extra year preparing for JEE Advanced can be a huge advantage. It reduces the pressure of Class 12, gives you flexibility to get into colleges, and lets you continue your preparation with a fresh perspective, getting into better colleges.” increases the likelihood.”
Kalpit encourages JEE aspirants to embrace flexibility, remain committed and understand that success is based on continuous and continuous improvement.
Edited by Khushi Arora