Introduction

Every year, thousands of students dream of securing a top rank in JEE Advanced, but only a select few discover what truly separates exceptional performers from the rest.

In this exclusive interview, I sit down with Aksh Gogi, one of my former students, who secured an outstanding All India Rank 23 in JEE Advanced 2025. Beginning his competitive journey through the Junior Science Olympiad and later excelling in JEE Advanced, Aksh built his success on disciplined preparation, intelligent planning, and relentless consistency rather than shortcuts or excessive study hours.

Through 23 carefully curated questions, Aksh shares the strategies, habits, mistakes, examination techniques, and mindset that shaped his remarkable journey. From choosing the right study material and managing coaching to overcoming failures, handling distractions, optimizing mock tests, and developing an effective exam strategy, this interview provides practical guidance that every serious JEE aspirant can immediately implement.

If your goal is not merely to study harder but to prepare smarter, this interview will serve as a practical roadmap toward achieving your own IIT dream.

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The Conversation

PHASE 1: THE GENESIS & THE “WHY”

Q1. The Result Moment: Walk us through the exact moment you (and your parents) saw that you secured a top All India Rank. What was that feeling like?

A: When the JEE Advanced results were declared, my parents actually checked the website and found my result before I did. Since we had already checked our answers against the official answer keys and calculated our marks, I had a gradual idea of where my score would stand, so the rank was not entirely a surprise. Nonetheless, officially seeing All India Rank (AIR) 23 was a wonderful feeling, and it was a moment of great joy and celebration for my family.

Q2. The Catalyst: When did you officially start your JEE preparation? Was getting into an IIT always your ultimate dream, or did the realization happen later?

A: I officially started my JEE preparation in Class 10. Prior to that, in Class 9, I prepared for the Junior Science Olympiad (IJSO). The goal of getting into an IIT took concrete shape during these years as I transitioned from Olympiad preparation to the core JEE syllabus.

Q3. Identifying the Path: How did you figure out your true academic interest? At what point did you decide to pursue engineering over medical or commerce?

A: My academic path became clear through my early exposure to competitive sciences. During Class 9, my preparation for the Junior Science Olympiad (IJSO) helped me build a very strong foundation in Physics and Chemistry. Although I temporarily set Mathematics aside to focus on the IJSO syllabus, returning to Math in Class 10 made me realize my interest in the engineering stream. My natural inclination toward problem-solving, particularly in Physics—which became my strongest subject—solidified my decision to pursue the IIT engineering track rather than other streams.

Q4. The Olympiad Edge: You have represented India in international Olympiads. How important are these exams (like IJSO, NSEP) in building the foundation for JEE?

A: Preparing for junior Olympiads like the IJSO helps build a solid foundation, especially in Physics and Chemistry. In my case, it made my base in Physics very strong. However, I believe that preparing for the Mathematics Olympiad (IOQM) offers even greater benefits for developing problem-solving skills, even though I did not prepare for it myself.

Regarding senior Olympiads like the Physics Olympiad (NSEP):

• Up to the first stage (NSEP), the syllabus coincides heavily with the JEE Advanced syllabus, so they can be prepared for concurrently. I did not prepare separately for NSEP; I prepared for JEE and took NSEP as a practice exam.
• Beyond the first stage, the Olympiad syllabus begins to diverge from JEE. My recommendation for JEE aspirants is to focus primarily on their IIT prep and treat NSEP as a diagnostic practice exam, unless their specific, ultimate goal is to represent India at the International Physics Olympiad (IPhO).

PHASE 2: ACADEMIC ARCHITECTURE & BLUEPRINT

Q5. The Daily Routine: What did your daily routine look like? Did you follow a rigid timetable (by the hour) or a flexible, target-based approach?

A: My daily routine was flexible and adjusted based on whether I had scheduled classes or not. On days with coaching classes, I studied for a maximum of 8 effective hours. On self-study days without classes, my goal was to study for 10 hours, although achieving that target perfectly could sometimes be challenging due to natural variations in day-to-day efficiency. Rather than sticking to a rigid hourly timetable, I preferred planning my day around completing specific tasks and managing my workload adaptively.

Q6. Sleep & Cycles: How many hours of sleep did you prioritize? Did you prefer studying late at night or early in the morning?

A: I prioritized sleep and made sure never to compromise on it, generally sleeping for 6 to 7 hours every night. While there were rare days when I slept as little as 3 hours due to preparation demands, I strongly advise students not to keep their sleep cycles variable. If you want to sustain high performance over a two-year preparation journey, a consistent sleep schedule is essential for maintaining daily concentration and health.

Q7. Subject Allocation: How did you balance Physics, Chemistry, and Math? Did you allocate equal time to all, or base it entirely on your weak points?

A: I did not allocate equal time to all subjects. Instead, my balance was dynamic and based entirely on what topics were currently being taught, my relative strength in each subject, and where my weak areas lay. I believe the best approach is to work hard across all subjects, but to allocate extra time and effort dynamically to address your weak points and reinforce the subjects that require more attention.

Q8. The Material Trap: Did you rely strictly on your coaching modules, or did you use multiple reference books (like H.C. Verma)? Is it better to solve one book three times or three books once?

A: I relied primarily on my coaching modules and the specific resources recommended by my teachers. In Class 11, I strictly followed this path. In Physics, I did solve Pathfinder later on, but that was strictly for extra practice rather than trying to chase multiple competitive sources. If you ever feel that your study material is insufficient, it is far better to ask your teachers for additional targeted assignments than to go out and buy multiple reference books. Strictly adhering to your coaching materials and teacher recommendations is more than sufficient to secure a top-100 rank.

Q9. Material: Which material did you use for IJSO and what material did you use for IIT?

A: The specific materials I used during my preparation were:

**For IJSO Preparation**:
• Physics: Concepts of Physics by H.C. Verma.
• Physical Chemistry: Neeraj Kumar.
• Organic Chemistry: Coaching modules.
• Biology: Class notes, MCQs, and past year papers.

**For IIT JEE Preparation**:
• Physics: Coaching modules, class notes, and Pathfinder.
• Chemistry: Coaching modules, class notes, and Concise Inorganic Chemistry by J.D. Lee (which was highly recommended by my teachers).
• Mathematics: Coaching modules, class notes, and specific books recommended by my teachers containing advanced problem sets.

Q10. Biology and IJSO: Being an IIT aspirant, how was your attitude towards Biology during IJSO preparation?

A: During my IJSO preparation in Class 9, I took Biology very seriously and studied it thoroughly using class notes, MCQs, and past year papers. Since my immediate goal was to clear the Olympiad, I even completely paused my Mathematics studies to accommodate the Biology syllabus. While this temporary pause in Math did affect my mathematical momentum when transitioning to JEE in Class 10, it was a trade-off I chose to make in order to perform well in the Olympiad.

Q11. IOQM and IMO: Should students focus on IOQM if their future goal is IIT?

A: I did not prepare for IOQM, but looking back, I believe I should have participated. The problem-solving skills and mathematical depth developed through Olympiad mathematics are highly beneficial for JEE Advanced. While there may be some trade-offs or disadvantages that I am not aware of, I feel that attempting IOQM is a valuable experience for students whose future goal is IIT.

Q12. School and Coaching: How did you manage the time with both school and coaching?

A: Managing time between school and coaching evolved across different phases:

• Classes 9 and 10: In Class 9, during the COVID-19 pandemic, my classes were online, which naturally saved commuting time. In Class 10, I obtained permission from my school to leave after half a day. This provided me with crucial extra hours for self-study.
• Classes 11 and 12: I moved to Kota and enrolled in a dummy school. This eliminated daily school attendance requirements, allowing me to focus entirely on my coaching and self-study routine.

Q13. Sports: Did you only study during those preparation years or you also spent time in sports, workouts and other recreational activities?

A: I definitely did not spend all my time studying, and the idea that toppers do nothing else is a misconception. In Class 9 and 10, sports were a regular part of my school schedule. In Class 11 and 12 in Kota, I played table tennis or played the guitar during my study breaks. Engaging in these recreational activities served as a perfect mental break and helped keep my mind fresh.

PHASE 3: PSYCHOLOGY, ADVERSITIES, & THE MINDSET

Q14. Tackling Failure: What were your best and worst scores in mock tests? How did you mentally recover from a disastrous test score?

A: Initially, scoring poorly on a mock test would put me in a bad mood. However, as I wrote more computer-based mock tests, I realized that score fluctuations are a completely normal part of the process. I got used to these fluctuations, stopped taking low scores personally, and focused on analyzing the mistakes. The best way to recover from a disappointing score is to analyze why it happened, learn from the errors, and move forward.

Q15. The “Silly Mistakes” Protocol: Almost every student loses ranks to silly mistakes. Did you maintain a “mistake notebook,” and how did you actively minimize these errors?

A: I did not maintain a physical notebook for silly mistakes; instead, I mentally noted the exact nature of each error and made a conscious effort to remain aware of them during exams to avoid repeating them.

More importantly, I realized that many errors labeled as ‘silly mistakes’ are actually caused by a poor exam strategy. If your strategy is flawed, you will find yourself under immense time pressure toward the end of the exam, which inevitably leads to rushed calculations and errors. To minimize these mistakes, do not dismiss them as simple slips. Analyze the underlying cause—whether it was time pressure, stress, or a tactical error—and refine your overall exam strategy to address it.

Q16. Conquering Fear: Was there a specific topic (like Thermodynamics or Fluids) that terrified you? How did you overcome it?

A: I made sure never to avoid any topic, because to secure a rank in the top 100, you cannot afford to leave gaps in your preparation. Naturally, some topics are more challenging than others. Whenever I encountered a difficult topic, I dedicated extra time and focused practice to it. With patience and persistent effort, the difficulty slowly resolves, and the fear associated with the topic melts away.

Q17. Digital Distractions: How did you handle smartphones and social media? Did you cut them off completely, or use them in moderation?

A: I had a smartphone during my preparation, and it was a very useful tool because I used WhatsApp groups for academic discussions and doubt-solving. However, I did experience minor distractions. To handle this, I deleted the YouTube app when I realized it was taking up too much time, and I placed restrictions on my phone and application usage. Setting boundaries and maintaining self-discipline with your devices is crucial to keeping them as productive tools rather than distractions.

Q18. The “Burnout” Days: What did you do on days when you were completely exhausted and absolutely did not want to study?

A: On days when I felt completely exhausted and lacked the motivation to study, my productivity and efficiency naturally dropped. In such situations, I would sometimes force myself to study despite the lower efficiency. However, when that became counterproductive, I would take a break to change my mindset and refresh, and then resume my studies once I felt recharged.

PHASE 4: THE ECOSYSTEM (FAMILY, MENTORS, & PEERS)

Q19. The Peer Group: How important is a highly competitive friend circle in cracking JEE? Did you do group studies or doubt-solving with friends?

A: A competitive and supportive peer group is extremely valuable. I found online WhatsApp groups specifically dedicated to academic discussions to be highly useful. Discussing challenging problems with peers exposes you to different viewpoints and alternative methods, which refines your understanding and helps you learn faster.

Q20. The Mentors: Were you ever hesitant to ask doubts in a class full of brilliant students? How did your bond with your teachers help you beyond academics?

A: I maintained a close and proactive relationship with my teachers. In Class 11, I strictly followed their guidance. Whenever I needed additional practice material, I did not hesitate to ask them, and they always provided me with targeted resources. Having a strong bond with mentors gives you the confidence to ask questions and ensures you receive the right academic guidance throughout the high-pressure JEE journey.

PHASE 5: THE D-DAY & THE AFTERMATH

Q21. The Exam Strategy: Did you have a pre-decided sequence for attempting the paper (e.g., Chemistry, then Physics, then Math), or did you adapt based on the paper’s difficulty?

A: My exam strategy was based on allocating time rather than strictly attempting subjects in a fixed sequence, and it was designed to prevent getting stuck on any one subject.

Initially, I would allocate a set time block—such as 50 minutes for Physics—and then switch subjects. I typically started with Physics since it was my strongest subject. I would attempt to go through all the questions in that time block to identify what was solvable. If I ran into a block where I couldn’t solve any of the first six questions, I would immediately switch to Chemistry. I preferred keeping Chemistry between the other two subjects to allow time for the inorganic questions where I might need to spend more time thinking.

Rather than scanning the entire paper first to do easy questions in rounds, I preferred working through a subject comprehensively within its allocated time block, tackling both easy and medium questions as I went. However, flexibility is key. If a paper is highly unusual or one subject is exceptionally difficult, you must adapt your strategy dynamically and avoid over-investing time in a section that will yield fewer marks.

Q22. Exam Temperament: Were you nervous on the actual day of the exam, or did giving continuous mock tests eliminate the “exam fear”?

A: I felt a little nervous on the morning of the exam. However, the moment the test started, my anxiety vanished. Because I had written so many mock tests during my preparation, the actual JEE Advanced felt exactly like just another mock test. Writing continuous mock tests normalizes the exam environment and enables you to focus completely on problem-solving.

PHASE 6: UNPLUGGED & RAPID FIRE (HUMANIZING THE SCHOLAR)

Q23. The Ultimate Advice: What is your final, defining piece of advice for the millions of juniors who want to be in your shoes next year?

A: My defining advice for juniors is to prioritize sleep and maintain a consistent schedule. Since JEE is a long, two-year journey, keeping your sleep cycle variable will drain your energy and drop your daily efficiency. Secondly, plan your study targets daily and ensure that you follow through to achieve them. If you stay consistent, maintain self-discipline, and execute your daily plans, success will naturally follow.

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Devansh Sir gives 10 Powerful Lessons Every JEE Aspirant Should Learn from AIR 23 Aksh Gogi

1. Success Is Built Through Thousands of Small Disciplined Decisions.

Top ranks are not produced by one brilliant study session. They are created by consistently making the right decisions every single day—sleeping on time, completing daily targets, revising regularly, and trusting the process.

2. Don’t Chase Resources. Master the Ones You Already Have.

Many students believe success requires collecting dozens of books. Aksh’s preparation proves otherwise. Coaching modules, teacher guidance, and repeated revision are more than sufficient to secure a top rank when studied thoroughly.

3. Your Teachers Know What You Need Better Than the Internet Does.

Whenever Aksh required additional practice, he did not search online for new books. He simply approached his teachers, who provided targeted assignments suited to his weaknesses. Personalized guidance always outperforms random resource collection.

4. Mock Tests Don’t Reveal Your Intelligence—They Reveal Your Strategy.

Poor mock test scores should never damage your confidence. Instead, they expose weaknesses in preparation, time management, and examination strategy. Students who analyze every mock test improve far faster than students who merely attempt more tests.

5. Most “Silly Mistakes” Aren’t Silly at All.

According to Aksh, calculation errors often originate from poor examination strategy rather than carelessness. When you feel rushed during the final minutes of the paper, mistakes become inevitable. Improve your strategy, and many so-called silly mistakes disappear automatically.

6. Flexibility Is More Powerful Than a Perfect Timetable.

Aksh never followed a rigid hour-by-hour schedule. Instead, he worked with daily targets and adjusted his study plan according to coaching classes, self-study requirements, and weaker subjects. Effective preparation adapts to reality instead of forcing unrealistic routines.

7. Consistent Sleep Is One of the Highest-Return Investments You Can Make.

Students often believe sacrificing sleep demonstrates dedication. Aksh believes exactly the opposite. A stable sleep schedule protects concentration, memory, decision-making, and long-term productivity throughout the demanding two-year preparation journey.

8. Eliminate Digital Distractions Before They Eliminate Your Rank.

Rather than relying on willpower alone, Aksh simply removed unnecessary temptations. He deleted distracting applications, restricted screen time, and transformed his smartphone into a productive academic tool instead of an endless source of entertainment.

9. Even Top Rankers Need Recreation.

Contrary to popular belief, Aksh did not spend every waking hour studying. Playing table tennis, practicing guitar, and taking meaningful breaks helped him maintain mental freshness and prevented burnout. Sustainable preparation always outperforms constant exhaustion.

10. Success Belongs to Students Who Execute, Not Those Who Merely Plan.

Knowledge alone never secures a top rank. What matters is daily execution—completing today’s targets, learning from today’s mistakes, asking today’s doubts, and improving a little every single day. Consistency transforms ordinary students into extraordinary achievers.

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Final Thought

Perhaps the greatest lesson from Aksh Gogi’s journey is this:

Top ranks are rarely achieved by students who know the most. They are achieved by students who execute the fundamentals better than everyone else.

Simple routines. Smart strategies. Trusted mentors. Disciplined habits. Consistent effort.

When these principles are followed relentlessly over two years, exceptional ranks become the natural outcome—not a matter of luck.