Introduction
Every JEE aspirant wants a top rank, but very few understand the principles that consistently produce one.
In this exclusive interview, I speak with Vasu Vijay, one of my former students, who secured an outstanding AIR 56 in JEE Advanced 2025. Beyond his remarkable JEE performance, Vasu is also an International Junior Science Olympiad (IJSO) Gold Medalist, reflecting years of exceptional scientific aptitude and disciplined preparation. His journey demonstrates how a strong conceptual foundation built through Olympiads can become a powerful advantage for succeeding in one of the world’s toughest entrance examinations.
Through 23 thoughtfully designed questions, Vasu shares the strategies, habits, and mindset that guided his preparation—from Olympiads and concept-building to study planning, mock-test analysis, exam strategy, stress management, and the importance of mentors. More than a discussion about cracking JEE, this interview explores how top performers learn, think, and continuously improve.
Whether you are just beginning your preparation or striving for a top rank, the lessons in this conversation will help you study with greater clarity, confidence, and purpose.
23 thoughtful questions on JEE preparation, Olympiads, discipline, setbacks, mentorship, exam strategy, and the habits that shape exceptional achievement.
Phase 1: The Journey Begins
Question 1: 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?
Response 1:
It was early in the morning, around 6 A.M., when I checked the result. Seeing my rank was an incredibly happy and satisfying moment. When I shared the news with my family, they were overjoyed. It was a moment of celebration and relief for all of us after years of hard work.
Question 2: 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?
Response 2:
I started preparing seriously for JEE during Classes 10 to 12. The idea of getting into an IIT had been in my mind for a few years before that, so it was a goal I had been working towards for quite some time.
Question 3: 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?
Response 3:
The decision developed gradually. I was always interested in building things, solving problems, and understanding how systems work. Engineering felt like the natural path because it combined creativity, innovation, and problem-solving.
Question 4: The Olympiad Edge
You have represented India in international Olympiads. How important are these exams (like IJSO, NSEP) in building the foundation for JEE?
Response 4:
Preparing seriously for Olympiads like IJSO helps build strong fundamentals, develops problem-solving skills, and teaches you how to learn effectively. These skills become extremely valuable later during JEE preparation.
Preparing for NSEP is a good idea if you are preparing for IIT, because the syllabus for both is very similar.
However, as you move on to the higher stages beyond NSEP towards IPhO, the Olympiad syllabus starts deviating from the IIT path. I would recommend my juniors to take NSEP very seriously, but not necessarily the higher stages of the Physics Olympiad if they do not wish to compromise their IIT preparation.
If they believe they can manage both the Olympiad and IIT, then they can continue with all the stages of IPhO.
Similar are my views towards the Chemistry Olympiad.
Phase 2: Academic Architecture & Blueprint
Question 5: 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?
Response 5:
I mainly focused on completing my daily goals. Rather than following a rigid timetable, I preferred a target-based approach where the priority was getting important work done consistently. I always tried to study 6-8 hours daily, apart from my classes which used to consume around 5-6 hours of time. On a holiday, I used to study a minimum of 10 hours.
Question 6: Sleep & Cycles
How many hours of sleep did you prioritize? Did you prefer studying late at night or early in the morning?
Response 6:
I generally preferred studying a little later at night, but I always tried to get at least 6–7 hours of sleep. Adequate sleep was important for maintaining concentration and productivity.
Question 7: 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?
Response 7:
In the beginning, I gave roughly equal attention to all three subjects. During revision, however, I adjusted my time according to my needs, spending more time on weaker subjects or topics that required additional work.
Question 8: 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?
Response 8:
For concept-building, solving the same high-quality material multiple times is usually sufficient. It also saves time because you can focus on strengthening weak areas rather than repeatedly solving questions you are already comfortable with.
In my opinion, you should follow the material provided in your coaching institute and the material which your teachers recommend. That is generally sufficient.
However, if you feel bored or want additional practice, exploring new books can provide fresh problem formulations based on similar concepts. But more is not always better, hunting for new books all the time is also not a good idea.
Question 9: Study Material
Which material did you use for IJSO and what material did you use for IIT?
Response 9:
For Physics during IJSO preparation, I mainly used H.C. Verma and Past Year Questions. In other subjects I primarily used class notes and Past Year Questions of NSEJS and INJSO.
For IIT-JEE, I relied primarily on coaching material. In physics, in addition I used H.C. Verma and selected topics from I.E. Irodov. In the other subjects, my primary focus remained on coaching material. If at all I followed any other resources, they were only the ones suggested by my teachers to me. My recommendation is, just follow your coaching material and your teachers.
Question 10: Biology and IJSO
Being an IIT aspirant, how was your attitude towards Biology during IJSO preparation?
Response 10:
One thing I enjoyed about IJSO Biology was that it was highly application-oriented and logical. Because of that, I found it interesting and engaging rather than something that had to be memorized. Since I was in Class 9 at the time, I also had sufficient time to balance it with future JEE preparation.
Question 11: IOQM and IMO
Should students focus on IOQM if their future goal is IIT?
Response 11:
I think this depends largely on personal interest. Attempting IOQM can be a good way to stay connected with mathematical thinking. However, the skills and syllabus required for higher-level Olympiad mathematics are quite different from JEE, so it is not necessary for every IIT aspirant.
Question 12: School and Coaching
How did you manage the time with both school and coaching?
Response 12:
I was enrolled in a dummy school, so managing regular school commitments was not a challenge for me.
Question 13: Sports and Recreation
Did you only study during those preparation years or did you also spend time in sports, workouts, and other recreational activities?
Response 13:
I practiced yoga in the mornings during my JEE preparation. Apart from that, I occasionally watched television, but most of my time was focused on academics.
Phase 3: Psychology, Adversities & Mindset
Question 14: Tackling Failure
What were your best and worst scores in mock tests? How did you mentally recover from a disastrous test score?
Response 14:
My best score was around 330 out of 360, while my lowest was around 190. Whenever I performed poorly, I carefully analysed where I had lost marks and why. I also discussed both the academic and psychological aspects of the situation with my teachers. At the end of the day, a mock test is only a tool for improvement, not a final judgment.
Question 15: 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?
Response 15:
Instead of maintaining a separate notebook, I marked questions directly in my hard copies and categorised them according to the type of mistake and its underlying cause. I would carefully review these questions the day after the exam and focus on preventing similar errors in the future.
Question 16: Conquering Fear
Was there a specific topic (like Thermodynamics or Fluids) that terrified you? How did you overcome it?
Response 16:
Topics such as parts of Rigid Body Dynamics and Fluid Dynamics were initially difficult because building intuition for them took time. Some concepts were also quite dense. Rather than fearing them, I accepted that they would require more effort and invested additional time in understanding them properly.
Question 17: Digital Distractions
How did you handle smartphones and social media? Did you cut them off completely, or use them in moderation?
Response 17:
I used my phone normally, but primarily for communication through WhatsApp. I did not spend significant time on social media platforms, which helped me stay focused without feeling completely disconnected.
Question 18: The “Burnout” Days
What did you do on days when you were completely exhausted and absolutely did not want to study?
Response 18:
If I felt genuinely tired, I would take a short nap or play a game for a while before returning to work. Since I lived at home, burnout was not a major issue for me, but I always tried to listen to my body when I needed a break.
Phase 4: The Ecosystem (Family, Mentors & Peers)
Question 19: The Peer Group
How important is a highly competitive friend circle in cracking JEE? Did you do group studies or doubt-solving with friends?
Response 19:
Discussing doubts and brainstorming with friends helped me develop a much deeper understanding of concepts. It also provided a useful reality check regarding my preparation. At the same time, it is important not to feel intimidated by what others are doing. What matters most is how effectively you are using your own time and opportunities.
Question 20: 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?
Response 20:
Yes, I did feel hesitant in some classes initially. However, overcoming that hesitation and asking doubts is extremely valuable. Building a strong relationship with teachers helps not only academically but also in developing confidence, perspective, and better decision-making throughout the preparation journey.
Phase 5: The Exam Day & The Aftermath
Question 21: 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?
Response 21:
I always adapted my strategy according to the paper. My priority was to identify and solve the easier questions first, secure those marks, and then return to the more challenging questions later.
Question 22: Exam Temperament
Were you nervous on the actual day of the exam, or did giving continuous mock tests eliminate the “exam fear”?
Response 22:
By the time the actual exam arrived, I had very little exam anxiety. Regular mock tests had helped me build familiarity with the exam environment and develop the confidence needed to perform calmly under pressure.
Once I started attempting my actual IIT exam, it felt like a regular mock test only to me.
Phase 6: Unplugged & Rapid Fire
Question 23: 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?
Response 23:
Build strong relationships with your teachers, focus deeply on conceptual understanding, surround yourself with a positive and motivated peer group, and make sure you have a healthy way to manage stress. These factors may seem simple, but over time they can make a tremendous difference in both your preparation and your final outcome.
10 Powerful Lessons Every JEE Aspirant Should Learn from AIR 56 & IJSO Gold Medalist Vasu Vijay
1. Build Concepts Before You Chase Ranks.
Vasu’s greatest strength was never memorization—it was understanding. A deep conceptual foundation built through Olympiads made advanced JEE problems feel logical instead of intimidating. Students who truly understand concepts rarely fear difficult questions.
2. Learn Once, Revise Many Times.
The temptation to keep buying new books is one of the biggest mistakes aspirants make. Vasu recommends mastering one excellent resource repeatedly rather than collecting dozens of unfinished books. Depth always beats variety.
3. Olympiads Can Give You a Multi-Year Advantage.
Preparing for Olympiads such as IJSO and NSEP develops analytical thinking, scientific curiosity, and advanced problem-solving skills long before JEE preparation becomes intensive. Students who start early often spend less time struggling later.
4. Hard Work Without Reflection Is Incomplete.
Every mock test should answer one question: “Why did I lose marks?” Instead of worrying about scores, Vasu analyzed mistakes, discussed them with teachers, and transformed every failure into a lesson for the next examination.
5. Great Students Don’t Fear Difficult Topics—They Invest More Time in Them.
Instead of avoiding challenging chapters like Fluid Mechanics or Rotational Dynamics, Vasu simply accepted that some concepts demand additional effort. Fear disappears when understanding increases.
6. Your Teachers Can Accelerate Your Journey More Than Any Book.
One of Vasu’s strongest messages is to build meaningful relationships with your teachers. Asking doubts without hesitation, seeking guidance regularly, and discussing both academic and psychological challenges dramatically shortens the learning curve.
7. Study Targets Matter More Than Study Timetables.
Rather than following a rigid hourly schedule, Vasu focused on completing meaningful daily goals. Flexible, target-based planning allowed him to remain productive without becoming trapped by unrealistic timetables.
8. Examination Strategy Is a Skill That Must Be Practiced.
On the actual exam day, Vasu did not blindly follow a fixed subject order. He adapted intelligently, solved easier questions first, secured guaranteed marks, and returned later to tougher problems. Smart decisions inside the examination hall can significantly improve your final rank.
9. Success Doesn’t Require Isolation.
Contrary to popular belief, Vasu maintained a healthy routine that included yoga, meaningful discussions with friends, and balanced use of technology. Sustainable success comes from managing your energy—not from studying every waking minute.
10. The Best Students Never Stop Improving.
Perhaps the most inspiring lesson from Vasu’s journey is his growth mindset. Every difficult topic became an opportunity to learn. Every mock test became feedback. Every conversation with teachers became a chance to improve. This relentless commitment to continuous learning ultimately separated him from thousands of equally hardworking aspirants.
Final Thought
The defining lesson from Vasu Vijay’s journey is simple:
Extraordinary ranks are not achieved by students who merely solve the maximum number of questions. They are achieved by students who understand concepts deeply, revise intelligently, trust great mentors, analyze every mistake, and keep improving every single day.
When learning becomes deeper than memorization, preparation becomes more enjoyable, confidence grows naturally, and success becomes the logical outcome rather than a matter of chance.
The Intuitive Physicist 